More than 75% of the 400 members of United Steelworkers 1-2010 woodlands workers have voted in favour of a new Memorandum of Agreement with Resolute Forest Products and Ontario Woodlands.

The four year deal will see the following:

• 23% wage increase over the life of the agreement
• implementation of a nightshift premium
• improvements to health care benefits, dental plans, sick benefits, and life insurance
• introduction of an employee Family Assistance plan
• and special benefit bonus based on the price of lumber

That last item, if triggered, would give members an extra dollar an hour in addition to the wage increases and some language changes. Those would see skilled trades adjustments of $2..50 at ratification with another dollar in 2024.

Votes were held this past weekend over three days in Ignace, Dryden, and Thunder Bay.

Union officials say he agreement will provide stability for their members considering the current state of the economy, and could bring back other workers who have left for other opportunities elsewhere or convince others to consider working in woodlands operations.