Quebecor, union reach a deal
By Vinde Wels
Members of five labor unions, which are part of the Graphic Communications Conference/International Brotherhood of Teamsters, approved their contracts late last week.
“This concludes the 26 months of bargaining,” said Myndi Fletcher, Local 65B secretary-treasurer. “Bargaining began March 31, 2006. It has been a long and difficult road, especially after Quebecor World went into bankruptcy in January 2008.”
Fletcher said that overall workers are pleased to have the contract settled, especially after the lengthy period of negotiations.
“This is the longest we’ve ever gone without a contract. No one wanted a strike,” she said. “This contract resulted in the first real non-concessionary agreement since Quebecor World bought the Mt. Morris plant. The union feels they made good progress which was only hindered by the company going into bankruptcy in the final stages of negotiations.”
Members of Local 124-C, Local 467-S and District Lodge 8 approved their contract by a moderate margin on May 30, Fletcher said.
Local 65-B first rejected the contract proposal May 31, but later reconsidered and voted to approve it.
Local 91-P approved their agreement on May 31.
Last fall all five unions rejected contract proposals. Fletcher said those proposals were modified slightly during negotiations in the last several months.
Quebecor World officials announced Jan. 21 that the firm had filed for creditor protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
Based in Montreal, Quebec, the firm filed for the Chapter 11 in the Southern Judicial District of New York, and also for creditor protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act in Canada.
The filing affected only operations in North America, according to information released by the firm on its website.
Quebecor World employs approximately 650 people at its Mt. Morris facility, 404 N. Wesley Ave.
The Mt. Morris plant produces catalogs, Sunday magazines, and retail inserts.