Seven years for togetherness at Ridley

As we tipped off those Podunkians seeking to be in the know back on Tuesday, Ridley Terminals and the ILWU have come to an agreement that will see labour peace at the city's resources terminal for the next seven years.

The Daily News provided some more background on the story with a front page piece in Wednesday's paper.

RIDLEY WORKERS, MANAGERS ON SAME PAGE FOR LONG TERM

New seven year deal allows both to concentrate on growing business

By Kris Schumacher
The Daily News
Wednesday, June 04, 2008

Pages one and two

A new seven-year collective agreement has been ratified between the board of directors of Ridley Terminals Inc. and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada, Local 523.
The last collective agreement was in place for four years and expired on June 30, 2007.
The two parties had been bargaining since October 2007, a process that saw many highs and lows over the course of seven months. The term of the new contract is seven years, effective May 26, 2008, and Ron Coolin, president of Longshoreman's Union Local 523 says union members are hopeful the terminal will become productive once again.

"Our members have a strong and longstanding commitment to Ridley. In the past few years, our members have been frustrated with the lack of progress at RTI on a number of fronts," said Coolin.

"However, we are very encouraged with the leadership and decisive action taken by RTI's new board, particularly the appointment of a new management team. They have told us that they want to drive the growth of the company. We want to help them achieve that goal for the good of the terminal, our families and the community."

It was announced last week that Greg Slocombe, president and chief operating officer, and Cam McIntyre, chief financial officer and operations manager, had both resigned from the company, and that George Dorsey was appointed RTI's new president and chief operating officer.

Coolin said the management change was a positive step toward the revitalization of the terminal and the ratification of the new collective agreement, and that employees are "cautiously optimistic" that everyone is now on the same page.

"The terminal's employees are a motivated and professional group of people that care deeply about the performance of this operation," said George Dorsey, president and chief operating officer of RTI.

"We are delighted to have been able to conclude this negotiation quickly. I'm looking forward to working with all employees to provide world-class service to customers."

RTI Board Chairman of Corporate Affairs Byng Giraud said it was a priority of the new management team to work with the union on beginning a new relationship and reaching a settlement that would ensure RTI was a stable source of employment and community building for the region, a sentiment echoed by RTI Chairman Daniel D. Veniez.

"Our new board has launched several initiatives to strengthen governance and improve RTI's competitiveness," said Veniez.

"Everything we are doing is tailored to securing the future of this strategic asset for the community and to return value to the Government of Canada. This agreement is an important step along that path."