Workers at a Blenheim-based construction company are celebrating a significant wage increase after ratifying a new contract.
Employees of Clarke Construction Inc. have voted 93 percent in favour of a new three-year collective agreement that contains a 23.6 per cent wage increase over the term of the deal.
The new contract also changes the wage grid to reduce the number of years of service needed for a worker to move up the grid, and increases employer contributions to the retirement savings for the employees by 3.8 per cent over the three years.
The 52 labourers, equipment operators, truck drivers, and mechanics are represented by the Construction Workers Union, CLAC Local 53.
"The employer was happy to maintain the terrific workforce that makes up the current team at Clarke," said union representative Alex Kuiper. "The members are now some of the best paid labourers and operators in the region."
Clarke Construction provides several services throughout Chatham-Kent, such as municipal developments, road reconstruction, building bridges and culverts, and installing sewers and watermains. The company also does residential work.