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By Stew Kernan

There should be labour peace between the United Steelworkers and Vale for the next five years.

A new contract has been ratified by the 2700 production and maintenance workers, members of United Steelworkers Local 6500.

“This agreement is a tremendous achievement for our members and will benefit our families, our pensioners and our community for several years to come,” said Rick Bertrand, USW Local 6500 President.

The tentative deal was reached earlier this week, more than a full month ahead of the strike deadline of May 31st.

The new contract, which runs until 2020, takes effect on June 1st.

Ratifications votes were held over the past couple of days with 76.7% voting in favour of the deal.

89% of Local 6500 members voted on the deal that includes significant improvements in numerous areas.

“We are extremely pleased with the outcome,” said Mitch Medina, Vale’s lead negotiator. “A new five-year agreement, delivered a month before the old contract expires, points to a maturing in our labour relations. By the time the new contract expires in 2020 we will have enjoyed an unprecedented full decade of labour peace.”