Road workers strike after members agree to new labor deal

The agreement, the union said, comes with a $7 pay raise for members over three years.

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Ottawa-area road construction workers have agreed to a new collective agreement, ending their weeks-old strike.

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Members of Local 527 of the Workers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA) approved the deal proposed by the employer group – the National Capital Road Builders Association – in a vote held Sunday at the Center of Ottawa conferences and events, both sides confirmed this log.

The agreement, the union said, comes with a $7 wage increase for members spread over three years, the length of its typical bargaining agreement.

The offer had been tentatively accepted by the union, pending a member vote on Tuesday, ending a wave of picketing among major construction employers.

Another deal proposed by the NCRBA was rejected by union members in a vote earlier in July.

LiUNA Local 527 workers are involved in construction projects for roads, bridges, water and sewers, curbs and sidewalks, buildings, demolition, light rail construction and more .

The strike had an impact, including delaying the planned replacement of the Booth Street Bridge on Highway 417.

The bridge replacement was due to take place last week, but the dispute delayed it.

The provincial Department of Transportation said it was working with contractor Kiewit-Dufferin Midtown Partnership to find a new date.