Members of PSAC Local 501 stage an informational rally at the Blue Water Bridge Corporate Centre on Venetian Blvd. Friday November 18, 2016 BlackburnNews.com photo by Melanie Irwin.
 
Members of PSAC Local 501 stage an informational rally at the Blue Water Bridge Corporate Centre on Venetian Blvd. Friday November 18, 2016 BlackburnNews.com photo by Melanie Irwin.
Sarnia

Blue Water Bridge Strike Over

A nearly three week long strike at the Blue Water Bridge is over, after workers voted to accept a new contract with the Federal Bridge Corporation Friday.

The 47 toll collectors, currency exchange personnel, custodians and maintenance staff, represented by Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) Local 501, walked off the job November 21.

Negotiations were re-ignited Thursday evening with help from a Labour Board Conciliation officer, and a tentative deal was reached late Thursday.

Local President Paul Haney is relieved the strike is over.

"Our workers, by doing what they were doing out on the picket lines and holding strong, showed solidarity from all of the other unions in town as well," he says. "It was very positive and had a good, positive effect on the workers and I'm sure that helped us reach our deal."

Management and non-unionized staff had been running bridge operations since the strike began but there was no teller service available at the currency exchange office.

Haney says all employees will be back on the job as of Monday morning.

Federal Bridge Corporation President and CEO Micheline Dube is happy.

"We are delighted that an agreement could finally be reached," says Dube. "We are particularly happy that all the employees at the Blue Water Bridge will be returning to their regular duties before the Christmas holiday with their families and friends."

The union claimed the bridge corporation was seeking major contract concessions but management vehemently denied that.

Federal Bridge Corporation spokesman Andre Girard says the new contract is for five years, expiring in November 2019. The previous contract expired two years ago.

Over the course of the contract, there will be a 10% wage and benefits increase which includes a general wage hike, increased shift premiums, and additional leave benefits.

Read More Local Stories