Sun-Rype ratifies contract

The contract has been accepted by both sides.

Officials at Kelowna’s Sun-Rype plant have confirmed the new collective agreement between the company and Teamsters Local 213 has been ratified.

President and CEO of Sun-Rype, Eric Sorensen, says the company will begin the process of implementing full-scale operations immediately.

“We are very pleased to have an agreement in place and are committed to moving forward, building the long-term viability of our business,” says Sorensen.

The union voted 77% in favour of the new four-year contract on Saturday, ending a four-month long strike.

The new contract includes a 12% increase, a severance package and a pension increase.

It’s not known exactly when employees will go back to work, but union representative Gene Wirch says it could be as early as Monday.