The Canadian Autoworkers Union and Rio Tinto Alcan have reached a tentative contract agreement covering more than 1100 workers at the Kitimat aluminum smelter.

A bulletin on the CAW Local 2301 website says marathon negotiations have led to a deal including wage increases totalling 13.5% over five years, plus a $2500-dollar signing bonus.

The union says a job security letter promising no layoffs has also been renewed and there are provisions to hire temporary workers as full-time. The CAW also says it bargained increases in benefits, pensions and some premiums.

CAW 2301 members will vote on the deal this Thursday evening and Friday morning.

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FROM THE CAW LOCAL 2301 WEBSITE:

Some of the features of the tentative agreement are as follows:

• 5 year agreement

• Wages: Year 1 – 3%, Year 2 – 2.5%, Year 3 – 2.5%, Year 4 – 2.5%, Year 5 – 3%

• Job security letter (no lay-offs) re-signed

• All temporary workers hired to full-time

• Five terminated temporary welders hired to full-time

• $2500.00 Signing bonus for regulars, temporaries and LTD members

• Agreement on classifications for workers in the KMP

• Pension multiplier increases

• Retiree benefits increases

• Active employee benefit increases

• Increases to Shift, Weekend, Skilled Trades and Kemano premiums

An extensive list of the improvements made will be available later this week.

Contract ratification meetings will be held this week as follows:

Thursday July 26th @ 7:00 p.m.

in the Mount Elizabeth High School Gym

Friday July 27th @ 7:00 a.m.

in the Mount Elizabeth High School Gym

Negotiations Committee

Issued by CAW Local 2301

July 24, 2012