(Canadian Press)

By Canadian Press / David Opinko

Tentative deal at Cargill plant in High River

Dec 2, 2021 | 9:59 AM

HIGH RIVER, AB – The union that represents workers at the Cargill beef plant in High River, Alberta is recommending its members vote in favour of a new contract offer as a strike deadline looms.

The United Food and Commercial Workers union calls the proposed deal from Cargill a dramatic improvement from an offer that members rejected last month.

Unionized employees previously announced plans to strike on December 6 if a deal were not to be reached before then.

READ MORE: Cargill workers in High River to strike on December 6

The union says the new contract would significantly improve Cargill workers’ lives and if ratified would be the best food processing contract in Canada.

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In an email, Cargill spokesman Daniel Sullivan said the company is offering a 21-per-cent wage increase over the life of the contract, a signing bonus and a COVID bonus, retroactive pay, and improved health benefits.

The vote on the offer starts today and will run until Saturday.

More than 2,000 people work at the High River plant, which processes 35 per cent of Canada’s beef production