Prince George, B.C. – While  members of  United Steelworkers local 1-424  vote on the tentative contract  from  Canfor,  their  counterparts in the Southern Interior have ratified a  new deal.

United Steelworkers members employed by Interior Forest Labour Relations Association (IFLRA) member companies in the BC southern interior have ratified a five-year collective agreement. Members in USW Locals 1-405 Cranbrook, 1-417 Kamloops and 1-423 Kelowna have voted in favour of the November 29th agreement by a 66% majority.

The five-year agreement provides significant pay enhancements for Tradesman who will enjoy a 23% wage increase over the term of the agreement. The deal has great news for members in apprenticeships where living out allowances for all Apprentices will be doubled to $40 a day/$280 a week, mileage to be doubled to 50¢ a kilometer to attend school, and those attending school outside their community for more than 6 weeks will qualify for a second round trip.

The new deal also contains wage increases of 13% and $3,400 in cash payments over the term of the agreement. The deal also brings improvements to health and welfare benefits.