[EDMONTON] Striking members of United Steelworkers of America Local 5220 have won a new contract after five-and-one-half weeks on the picket line.

The key to the members’ acceptance was a vastly improved employer offer on job security, according to union representative Keith Turcotte.

"We now have language that requires that any work done on the property and run by AltaSteel will come under the collective agreement," said Turcotte. "It doesn’t solve all of our potential contracting-out problems, but it has certainly addressed the members’ biggest concerns."

There was also substantial improvement in the employer’s wage offer and in the area of workers’ pensions – both previously stumbling blocks to a settlement.

76% of the two hundred sixty-six members voted to accept the contract.

"The members are pretty happy with this settlement," said Turcotte. "It has resolved all of our big issues and gave us a really decent pay increase in both our base rate and increment levels."