British Columbia and Yukon hourly employees of Finning International Inc's Canadian division have approved a new three-year collective agreement, expiring in April 2009.

Ratification voting by union members ended on May 5.

The agreement, covering 775 workers, provides for wage increases of 4.5 per cent in year one and four per cent each in years two and three. The agreement is retroactive to April 15, 2006, and authorises improvements in shift premiums, allowances, benefits and staffing processes.

"The entire bargaining committee felt this was a fair agreement by all parties," said Al Cyr, business representative with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW).

"Basically, the goal was to reach an agreement without a labour disruption. We felt the effects of the strike in Alberta, and the company felt the effects." (Forkliftaction.com News #232)

Finning Canada's hourly employees in Alberta and the Northwest Territories went on strike for more than six weeks before their IAMAW local branch and the company reached a three-year collective agreement in December. The agreement expires in April 2008.

Finning International is based in Vancouver.