Kahnaw�:ke, Quebec reach Interim Agreement on Mercier Bridge works

06/02/2011

The Mohawk Council of Kahnaw�:ke would like to inform the community that the Interim Agreement on Certain Conditions Applicable to Kahnawake Workers on Honor�-Mercier Bridge Contract B has been reached with Qu�bec that will allow for urgently needed repairs to the Mercier Bridge to begin on the �Contract B� section.

This interim agreement achieves the goal of meeting the requirements of the 1932 Order-in-Council that requires Kahnaw�:ke workers have priority for works on the Mercier Bridge by removing the roadblocks that exist in current Qu�bec laws. It gives Quebec the means to amend its laws to formally recognize Kahnaw�:ke�s jurisdiction in several matters of labor on the Mercier Bridge.

This follows the Commission de la sant� et de la securit� du travail du Qu�bec (CSST)/Mohawk Self Insurance agreement signed on 11 Onerahtohk�:wa/May which includes a commitment from Qu�bec that sets the stage for a long-term process to address the contentious R-20 requirements, as well as the removal of the Commission de la construction du Qu�bec (CCQ). These will be replaced by Kahnaw�:ke-created mechanisms.

No taxes will be deducted from any Kahnaw�:ke workers employed on this project. As �Contract B�  has been declared a �union job� by the contractor, union dues will be applicable. Employment insurance and the Qu�bec parental insurance program will also be deducted, as they are for Contract A; however, workers may choose to be exempt of social benefits (including pension) and CCQ administration, and to receive, directly in his/her paycheck, paid vacation and statutory holiday allowances.

Regarding the issue of the eleven union ironworkers who had to leave the �Contract A� portion of the work, Qu�bec has committed to having these workers fully reinstated by the union, without penalty.  

The Interim Agreement was signed by Labor Portfolio Chief Rhonda Kirby and Intergovernmental Relations Portfolio Chief Mike Bush on behalf of Kahnaw�:ke. Chief Martin Leborgne objected, and did not sign the Mohawk Council Executive Directive that allowed for this action to proceed.

�A tremendous amount of hard work went into this,� said Grand Chief Michael Ahr�hron Delisle, Jr. �Hats off to the entire negotiation team.�