Unifor Announces Historic Labor Agreement at Kuger's Trois-Rivières Paper Mill

Unifor said the new four-year collective agreement at Kruger's Trois-Rivières paper mill marks a major milestone for employees, with unprecedented wage increases and substantial improvements to benefits.

June 24, 2024 - Unifor on June 19 announced the conclusion of a historic agreement in principle between the employees at the Kruger plant in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, and the company's management, putting an end to the strike that began on May 30, 2024.

Union members overwhelmingly approved the agreement at ratification meetings held throughout the week. This new four-year collective agreement marks a major milestone for employees, with unprecedented wage increases and substantial improvements to benefits, vacation, pension and the introduction of an overtime bank for production employees.

The salary increases are spectacular: from May 1, 2024, employees will benefit from an 8% salary adjustment and an additional 3% increase. In 2025, wages will be further increased by $1.30 per hour. For 2026 and 2027, employees will receive a guaranteed increase of 2.25% or more, depending on the pattern in effect.

In addition, production employees will see their wages increase by $1.25 per hour, and Skilled Trades workers will benefit from an increase of $1.00 per hour as of 2024. Shift premiums will also increase, to $1.00 per hour for evenings and $1.25 per hour for nights. In total, these increases represent a cumulative rise of 24% over the life of the collective agreement.

"We're absolutely delighted with this historic agreement," said Steeve St-Pierre, national representative for Unifor Québec. "Our members have shown unwavering commitment and exemplary determination to obtain working conditions that live up to what they deserve. This is a monumental victory for us all."

Employees will return to work at 11 p.m. Wednesday evening, allowing the plant to resume normal operations.

Kruger's Trois-Rivières Mill produces extra high-performance, 100% recycled linerboard. Acquired by Kruger in 1973, the Trois-Rivières Mill also produces newsprint and specialty products like construction paper.

Unifor is the largest private sector union in Quebec and Canada, representing more than 320,000 members in all sectors of the economy.

SOURCE: Unifor