Mr. Speaker, on March 19, the Quebec Cartier Mining Company took its workers by surprise by announcing a lockout.
Yesterday morning, I was pleased to learn that production was gradually resuming, after more than 70% of the 1,700 employees voted in favour of the company's offer.
The new collective agreement introduces new ways of organizing the work, as well as financial improvements to earnings, pensions and employee benefits.
I know from experience that attaining such an agreement requires both parties to sit down at the same table and negotiate in good faith.
As the member for Manicouagan, I wish to congratulate all the employees, and the representatives of their union and of management. There are a number of other companies in Port-Cartier and Fermont who can take this agreement as their model.