Industrial peace at Paccar in Sainte-Thérèse | A first in a quarter of a century

This is a first in a quarter of a century at the factory of the American giant Paccar in Sainte-Thérèse: the truck manufacturer and the Unifor union were able to agree to renew the collective agreement for some 1,400 employees.

The employment contract, which extends over five years, includes salary increases totaling 22.5% as well as advances in salary progression and the retirement plan, in particular.

“Through open and respectful dialogue, we managed to reach an agreement that reflects the priorities and needs of our members,” said Unifor national representative, Jonathan Blais.

The Paccar Quebec plant assembles medium-duty trucks (classes 5, 6 and 7) of the Peterbilt and Kenworth brands, which belong to the multinational. There has been more than one labor conflict in Sainte-Thérèse.

The most recent lockout dates back to 2019, when the employment contract expired. The Paccar factory in Sainte-Thérèse reopened its doors in 1999, four years after the start of a strike by local union members.

Despite the conclusion of an agreement that provides industrial peace for another five years, the American giant’s Quebec plant was not spared from the slowdown in truck sales.

Last September, Paccar planned to make 100 layoffs. This reduction in the workforce mainly targeted the evening shift, which restarted last year.

The American manufacturer expects to deliver between 240,000 and 280,000 trucks this year, which is 20,000 units less than its forecast last January.