Hamilton council ratifies collective agreement for water workers

After a months-long strike, Hamilton water workers officially have struck a deal with the city now that council has ratified a new collective agreement. 

The 55 workers, who oversee the water purifying process and discharge of waste water, went on strike May 14 after negotiations with the city fell through. The workers are part of the Hamilton Ontario Water Employees Association.

"The ratified agreement with the Hamilton Ontario Water Employees Association recognizes the hard work and commitment of everyone at the table," said Mayor Andrea Horwath in a city news release Wednesday. 

"I want to thank residents for their patience and understanding throughout the labour disruption. I am proud that we were able to come together and reach a fair agreement for our employees while providing value to Hamiltonians."

The collective agreement, unanimously approved at a council meeting Wednesday, will cover four years, from Jan. 1, 2025 to Dec. 31, 2028. It is "aligned with the city's financial mandate," said the city. 

Specifics of the agreement have not been made public, but the workers had sought to address decades-old concerns. 

The first was the length of time it took to reach their top pay rate through on-the-job training, and the second was a pay gap that left some members earning about $4 less per hour than another group of workers with fewer certifications.