E-Malt.com News article: 2184

Canada: Molson Inc. confirmed on February 10 that a 3-year (April 1, 2004 to March 31, 2007) collective agreement was ratified by 79% of CAW (Canadian Autoworkers) unionized employees in the Edmonton brewery. The agreement, which is line with other recent agreements ratified in Toronto and Montreal, will enable the Edmonton brewery to achieve its production strategy targets and move towards best in class brewery performance and global competitiveness. In addition, the 7-year agreement reached at the end of January 2004 with the regional warehouse employees in Québec, affiliated to the UFCW (United Food & Commercial Workers Union), was ratified by 93% of the members over the past week.

"The agreement in Edmonton was the last one outstanding for the year involving production employees. Throughout the past months, the Corporation's goal - in Toronto, Montreal and Edmonton - was to reach agreements that would be instrumental in driving performance and competitiveness while providing employees with enhanced benefits and work environments," commented Bernard Cormier, Senior Vice President Human Resources of Molson. He added that close and sustained working relationships developed over the past years between management, employees and the unions were clearly a success factor in the process.

In Edmonton, the agreement, which takes effect on April 1, 2004 will provide 122 employees with pension enhancement, wage increases in the range of 3% and improved insurance benefits. The employees also agreed to greater workplace flexibility to meet the Corporation's production strategy and world class brewing standards objectives. In Québec, 175 warehouse employees working in nine regional warehouses voted in favour of the new agreement, which includes substantial improvements to the employees' working conditions while being aligned to the company's business objectives.

Molson Inc. is one of the world's largest brewers of quality beer with operations in Canada, Brazil and the United States. A global brewer with $3.5 billion in gross annual sales, Molson traces its roots back to 1786 making it North America's oldest beer brand. Committed to brewing excellence, Molson combines the finest natural ingredients with the highest standards of quality to produce an award-winning portfolio of beers including Molson Canadian, Molson Export, Molson Dry, Rickard's, Marca Bavaria, Kaiser and Bavaria.


13 February, 2004