SEAWAY WORKERS APPROVE COLLECTIVE AGREEMENTS

SEAWAY WORKERS APPROVE COLLECTIVE AGREEMENTS    The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp. said Friday that collective bargaining agreements had been approved by 417 operations and maintenance workers, who work the locks between Montreal and Port Colbourne on Lake Erie, in addition to 96 other employees unionized under Supervisory Group.
   The deal provides for a 2-percent wage increase in the first year, retroactive to Jan. 1, and a 3-percent increase in each of the two following years. It also includes minor changes to premiums and allowances, and to leave benefits and their administration.
   Other terms agreed upon in the 10-month old contract negotiation relate to the staffing and movement of personnel on the lock structures as well as provisions for ongoing reviews of work contracted out.
   Members of the National Automobile Aerospace Transportation and General Workers Union of Canada voted on the agreement Thursday, ratifying the contract offer concluded by the union’s bargaining committee. The contract will expire on Dec. 31, 2003.
   “We are pleased that this critical trade link remains in full service at this peak time and that the Seaway continues to build upon its 33 year strike-free service record,” said Guy Veronneau, president of the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp.