More than 400 workers at the Halifax port have ratified a new collective agreement.

Signed at the beginning of April, the deal covers approximately 300 longshoremen, foremen and walking bosses, as well as about 70 checkers and 70 gear repair men working at the Port of Halifax, who had been without a contract since Dec. 31, 2013.

Both the federal labour ministry, the Halifax Employers Association and the Halifax Longshoremen’s Association (ILA Local 269) ratified the contract with the help of the federal mediation and conciliation service, which provides dispute resolution and dispute prevention assistance to trade unions and employers. The Halifax Freight and Steamship Checkers Union and the Halifax Gear Repair and Maintenance Men were also involved.

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