MONTREAL, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Some 550 unionized workers at the French-language daily La Presse in Montreal agreed to concessions to avoid losing their jobs.
Following an ultimatum by publisher Gesca Ltd., a subsidiary of Power Corp., to shut down the paper Dec. 1, workers voted 93 percent to approve a five-year, concession-laden package, The (Montreal) Gazette reported Friday.
The concessions are valued at $13 million, the report said.
Topping the list was workers agreeing to a 35-hour week over five days instead of the existing 32-hour, four-day work week.
The workers also gave up dental benefits coverage and will pay 60 percent of medical insurance instead of the existing 50 percent, the report said.
Beginning in January, pensions will no longer be indexed to cost of living and eligibility for longer vacations has been extended. It now takes nine years of service to qualify for five weeks of paid vacation, but the new contract stipulates 14 years, The Gazette said.
