MCK issues correction/clarification re: Interim Agreement

06/03/2011

The Mohawk Council of Kahnaw�:ke is issuing a correction/clarification in regard to yesterday�s announcement concerning the signing of the Interim Agreement on Certain Conditions Applicable to Kahnawake Workers on Honor�-Mercier Bridge Contract B.

In the press release dated 2, Ohiar�:ha/June, the following information regarding the reinstatement of several ironworkers was incorrect:

�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.� 

This is the correct information:

Regarding the issue of a number of union ironworkers who chose to continue working on Contract A and were subjected to punitive actions by the union, Qu�bec has committed to having these workers fully reinstated by the union, without penalty.

Another group of union ironworkers did leave Contract A in response to threats from the union. However, as they left on their own volition, they remain in �good standing� with their union and, as a result, do not need to be reinstated. These ironworkers will be eligible to work on Contract B.

Please be reminded that any ironworker or tradesman who wishes to work on the Contract B portion of the Mercier Bridge must apply to the Kahnaw�:ke Trades Qualification Program in order to be eligible.

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.