Rio Tinto, Unifor draw up labour agreement for Kitimat aluminium smelter

On 25th September 2021, the global mining and metal giant Rio Tinto stated that the company and Canadian union Unifor has drawn up an agreement in principle on a new Collective Labour Agreement for BC Works.

The agreement materializes following the number of weeks the second-round discussion happened between the two parties after the initial round of negotiations over proposed changes to workers' retirement benefits and unresolved grievances had dwindled to go through in July.

The largest private-sector union in Canada, Unifor that represents about 900 workers at Rio Tinto’s aluminium smelting plant in Kitimat and power generating facility in Kemano had initiated a strike action at BC Works in July after the first round of discussion went to wane.

Rio Tinto published a statement that says: “Both parties are satisfied that the proposed Agreement will provide a foundation for respect in the workplace and underpin a competitive and sustainable future for BC Works, benefitting employees and their families, the company, and the broader community.”

In addition to the CLA, the parties have also reached an agreement in principle for a Memorandum of Understanding on a new way of working together and on a return to work protocol.

Rio Tinto further added: “As a next step, Unifor Local 2301 will present the proposed Agreement to their members, with a vote to seek its ratification planned in the coming days."

"Both parties remain committed to resolving and have agreed to not publish details on the proposed Agreement until Unifor 2301 has completed their ratification process.”