B.C. copper mine workers ratify contract ending 18-day strike

Workers at the Gibraltar copper mine operated by TasekoMines incentral B.C. have ratified a new contract.

About550 workers at the second-largest open-pit copper mine in Canada have been on strike since June 1.

Unifor Local 3018 saysworkers have now ratified a new contract, bringing their 17-day strike to an end.

The union says the three-year agreement includes a 13 per cent wage increase and clarifies drug testing policiesand discipline processes at the mine.

"Gibraltar mine is an economic powerhouse in the region, and the community will realize benefits from this collective agreement for years to come," said UniforWestern regional director Gavin McGarrigle in a statement.

The companysaid earlier that if workers approved the tentative dealstruck on Sunday, it would resume operations Wednesday.

The company said it had suspended mining and milling operations at the site after the strike vote,though essential staff haveremained on site to maintain critical systems.