Metro warehouse workers reach new deal

Workers at a Metro distribution centre in Ontario have voted in favour of a new deal.

More than 900 workers at Metro Inc.'s Toronto-area distribution centre ratified a new four-and-a-half-year collective agreement Friday, ending a one-week strike.

Unifor said Metro warehouse workers in Etobicoke would receive an average wage increase of 15.8% over the lifetime of the new 4.5-year deal.

The union said the new collective agreement also included higher shift premiums for freezer work, a shortened wage progression to reach the top rate, improvements to pensions and benefits and no concessions.

"This collective agreement achieves the best maximum pay rate and fastest progression in the industry," Unifor Ontario regional director Naureen Rizvi said in a statement.

"There is no doubt that it will raise the bar for warehouse workers across Ontario."

Carmen Fortino, executive vice-president and division head for Metro in Ontario, said in a statement the company and the union reached a "fair and reasonable" deal that maintained competitive working conditions for employees.