VANCOUVER — Rogers Sugar Inc. says it has reached a tentative agreement with the union representing workers at its Vancouver refinery.
Details of the tentative deal were not immediately available, but the company said a ratification vote will be held next week.
Approximately 140 workers at the refinery have been on strike since Sept. 28. According to the Public and Private Workers of sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ union, the labour dispute stemmed from issues such as wages, benefits, and the company's proposal to increase refinery operations to 24 hours a day, 365 days per year.Â
The Rogers Sugar refinery in Vancouver processes raw imported cane sugar into a variety of products, including packaged white and brown sugar.Â
It is one of just three large sugar refining operations in sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½.
While the refinery remained operational throughout the strike, it did so at a reduced level.Â
Throughout the course of the strike, consumers in Western sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ experienced intermittent sugar supply issues on grocery store shelves.Â
Some bakeries and candy-makers reported difficulties sourcing sugar during their busy holiday season.Â
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 26, 2024.
Companies in this story: (TSX:RSI)
The Canadian Press