Domtar deals approved

Press Release

More than 500 Unifor members in the Dryden-based Domtar pulp mill and Woodlands operations have voted overwhelmingly in favour of new four-year collective agreements.
“These contracts contain some of the largest monetary increases in the sector in almost two decades,” said George Smith, Unifor Local 324 president.
“As indicated by the strong ratification results, our members were extremely pleased with the solid gains secured in these new collective agreements,” he added.
Last night, 230 maintenance, production, and office employees from Unifor Local 105 at the Dryden pulp mill voted 87 percent in favour of their new deal while 275 wood harvesting, trucking, and chipping employees from Unifor Local 324 voted in favour by a 94 percent margin.
“Both contracts achieve the Eastern Canada Pulp and Paper Pattern that Unifor established with Resolute Forest Products in April,” said Unifor national representative Stephen Boon.
“These agreements provide long-term stability for Domtar,” he noted.
“But most importantly, they achieve key language improvements and significant monetary gains for over 500 Unifor members in Dryden and Ear Falls.”
Top woodlands pay will increase to $40.60/hour, with top pulp mill pay reaching almost $46/hour by the final year of the two deals.
Key terms of the new Domtar mill and woodlands contracts include:
•four-year term (Sept. 1, 2018 to Aug. 31, 2022);
•2%, 2%, 2.5%, and 2.5% annual wage increases;
•$.40 per hour additional wage increase for operations and production employees;
•$1.25 per hour in additional pay for skilled trades over term;
•up to $2.70 per hour in additional wage adjustments for some pulp mill operators;
•increased woodlands commuting pay with up to an additional $1000 per year for drivers;
•new Remembrance Day statutory holiday for all woodlands employees;
•1% employer contribution to woodlands pension plan in final year of deal;
•mill retirees will receive a .2% pension indexation adjustment in 2021;
•increases in vacation entitlement, dental, life insurance, disability, vision, and bereavement leave;
•improved seniority, overtime, and health and safety language in woodlands operations; and
•new two cent per hour employer contribution to Unifor Canadian Community Fund.