It took nearly four years, but unionized workers at a Quebec Wal-Mart store now have their first collective agreement, a first in North America.

A Quebec arbitrator sealed the two-year deal for employees at the St-Hyacinthe Wal-Mart east of Montreal earlier this week.

Some 200 workers at the store received their union accreditation in January 2005, but called on an arbitrator when contract negotiations with the retail giant stalled.

The new agreement includes a $0.30 per hour wage increase on a yearly basis, for the next two years, for current employees.

New hires won’t be eligible for the wage increase.

Employees are delighted, said Louis Bolduc, director of the United Commercial and Food Workers. “We feel good. It’s the only collective agreement [of its kind] in North America. We’re really glad to have one,” he told CBC News.

-Article continued here, courtesy CBC News.