Express_2020_09_16

" ' ' " * 3 & 4  r  # 6 4 * / & 4 4 MONTEBELLO PACKAGING AND STEELWORKERS STRIKE NEW DEAL

DEVELOPERS STILL WANT CHRIST ROI LAND

GREGG CHAMBERLAIN gregg.chamberlain@eap.on.ca

The original plan was to seek financing GSPNUIF/BUJPOBM#BOLGPSUIFQSPKFDUCVU Raymond told council that the COVID-19 pandemic situation has “changed the dy- namic” for senior retirement development QSPKFDUT)FTBJEOFJUIFS UIF/BUJPOBM #BOLOPSBOZPUIFSàOBODJBMJOTUJUVUJPOT are willing to finance such projects now unless there is a partnership for the development. #PUI3BZNPOEBOE4ÊWJHOZTBJEUIFJS company has potential partners that would secure the financing for the project. #VU UIFDPNQBOZOFFET UPTFDVSF UJUMF to the land first. They asked council to approve a letter that states the company will have title to the municipal land. #PUI Mayor Assaly and Councillor Antonios Tsourounakis explained that council can- not do that because the original purchase agreement between the municipality and the company has expired. “We can’t legally extend an agree- ment that has run out,” said Councillor Tsourounakis, adding that council is not refusing to let the company have the land. i8FSFOPUTBZJOHA/P8FKVTUOFFEUP start fresh.” Sévigny expressed concern that any more delays could jeopardize the project. “The problem is we lose time,” he said.

A Québec-based development com- pany still wants to turn the former École Christ-Roi land into a high-end seniors retirement condo but it needs ownership of the land first. Yan Raymond and Robert Sévigny, representing the numbered company, 9414-9812 Québec Inc., met with Hawkesbury council during its September 14 teleconference session to argue for a six-month extension of the sale agree- ment between the company and the Town of Hawkesbury for the Main Street mu- OJDJQBMQSPQFSUZ#VU.BZPS1BVMB"TTBMZ said that is not possible. “We are not in a position at the mo- ment to consider your request,” said Mayor Assaly, adding that all of council needs time first for a thorough discussion of the issue. The development company had ne- gotiated a deal with the municipality for purchase of the former Catholic school site with the goal of creating a high-end TFOJPSTSFUJSFNFOUDPOEPQSPKFDU#VUUIF company failed to meet the July deadline condition for providing proof of financing for the project.

Montebello Packaging in Hawkesbury and its employees have a new four-year contract resulting from early negotiations between the company and the United Steelworkers Local 6565. —photo Gregg Chamberlain

The new agreement reverses the two-tier wage system the company had for employees at the plant and provides for pay increases for many of the workers that will range from $3 to $7 more per hour by the end of the four-year term of the contract. All workers will also get a two-per-cent annual wage increase over the term of the deal. “This contract provides well-deserved improvements,” stated Marty Warren, USW Ontario director, “recognizing the fact that the employees are, first and foremost, the people who contribute the most to the company’s success.” The USW and the company both agreed to negotiate a new contract “well in advance” of the January 2021 expiry date for the current contract. The new contract takes effect from February 1, 2021, to January 31, 2025. Reversal of the two-tier wage system was one of the main issues during discussions between the two sides. Under the system, the newer hires were on a lower pay scale compared to other workers. The company indicated it will be hiring new workers in the near future. Other features of the new agreement include benefits like introduction of a pre- scription drug care with “a significant in- crease in coverage” for employees and their dependents, and dental plan enhancements. Montebello Packaging makes aluminum, laminate, and plastic packaging for phar- maceuticals, personal care, cosmetics, household industrial, and food products.

EAP NEWSROOM news@eap.on.ca

Workers at the Montebello Packaging plant in Hawkesbury have a new contract. The United Steelworkers Canada Local 6565 (USW) voted to ratify a new four-year agreement with Montebello Packaging in Hawkesbury. The USW issued a news release September 14 announcing the deal.

The land where the École Christ-Roi used to be in Hawkesbury is still of interest to a development company for a proposed seniors retirement condo project. But the developer needs to get title to the land first to help secure financing for the project. —archives

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