FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
B&W Canada and USW 2859 Reach Three-Year Deal
CAMBRIDGE, ON: October 18, 2005 Babcock & Wilcox Canada and the United Steelworkers, Local 2859, have reached a new, three-year labour agreement. The union, which represents approximately 340 B&W employees in the Cambridge shop, voted to ratify the new contract on October 18.
The previous collective agreement expired at 12:01 a.m., on August 31, 2005. Negotiations spanned a three-and-a-half month period. USW 2859 started legal strike action on September 12.
"These negotiations were difficult and the successful conclusion represents a significant achievement for our Cambridge location," said Rich Reimels, president of Babcock & Wilcox Canada.
"With a strike, neither side exclusively wins. However in this case, we have a strong agreement in place for both the company and the union employees," said Howard Sims, president, Local 2859.
"With this labour contract in place, we can focus on executing our current projects, meeting our schedule commitments, and delivering the quality products our customers demand," added Rich Reimels. "I want to thank both negotiating teams for reaching this agreement!"
Babcock & Wilcox Canada serves the North American electric utility and industrial markets and the global nuclear utility market. Based in Cambridge, Ontario, it is a subsidiary of The Babcock & Wilcox Company in Barberton, Ohio, which is an operating unit of McDermott International, Inc. (NYSE:MDR). The Babcock & Wilcox Company is located on the Internet at www.babcock.com/bwc .
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Media Contacts:
Yvette Amor, M.E.S.
Manager, Public Relations & Communications
Babcock & Wilcox Canada
Cambridge, Ontario
N1R 5V3
Telephone 519.621.2120, extension 2416
yamor@babcock.com
www.babcock.com/bwc
