Union members ratify deal ending 2-month Kitimat smelter strike

Members of Unifor Local 2301 have voted in favour of a new agreement with Rio Tinto, ending a two-month long strike at the mining giant's smelter and hydroelectric plant on B.C.'s North Coast.

Rio Tintoannounced ratification of the new collective agreement on Monday, saying the parties have also agreed to a memorandum of understanding on how to work together and the protocol for workers to return to the jobon the B.C. Works operation, which includes the Kitimat smelter and the Kemano hydroelectricfacility.

"We welcome this vote from employees in support of the new agreement and our shared vision of a strong, sustainable future," B.C. Works general manager Affonso Bizon said in a news release.

"Our focus will now be on ensuring the return of workers and ramp-up of production at the smelter is managed in a safe and controlled manner over coming months, to deliver lasting benefits for our employees, the broader community and our customers."

The deal affects about 950 workers at the smelter and hydroelectricplant.

The strike began at the Kitimat smelter on July 25, after talks broke off when the parties failed to reach agreement on resolving hundreds of outstanding grievances and a new process to resolve disputes.

The previouscollective agreement expiredearlier this year.

The smelter has continuedto operate, under an essential services order granted by the B.C. Labour Relations Board,at 25 per centcapacity ofits normal 432,000-tonne annual capacity.