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Workers end four-month lockout by accepting wage adjustments totalling $3 an hour over a five-year contract.
St. John's (7 Jan. 2011) - Workers at Purity Factories Ltd. have voted to accept a $3 an hour wage increase over a five-year contract, ending a four-month lockout at the St. John's confectionery manufacturer.
About 50 workers, members of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees (NAPE/NUPGE), were locked out by the company in early September. Purity makes cookies, candies, syrups and other products.
"We got what we set out to accomplish," worker Fred Mercer told CBC News.
Employees will return to work at varying times. Full production will be delayed until the plant is cleaned and new supplies are ordered.
The disruption caused shortages in some foods cherished in Newfoundland and Labrador, particularly hard bread.
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