Monday, August 30, 2021

New deal struck at Olymel

There is a new deal between Olymel management and workers that could finally end a strike that began in late April.


Olymel management said it has  an agreement in principle with the workers at its hog-packing plant at Vallée-Jonction. 


Special mediator Jean Poirier worked with the company and the union in a weekend negotiation "blitz" to arrive at the in-principle agreement, according to  a news release from Olymel. 


If the union agrees to put the settlement to a vote, Olymel said it will delay sending out layoff notices until Sept. 1 to about 500 workers who man one shift at the plant.


"This difficult decision will be abandoned in the event of a vote in favor of the agreement in principle reached today, which would receive a favorable recommendation from the union executives," said Paul Beauchamp, first vice-president at Olymel.