SAINT-HYACINTHE, QUEBEC — Olymel LP, a Canadian poultry and pork processor and distributor, announced operations at the Drummondville, Quebec, bacon plant restarted following a worker strike on May 26.

The company said the Drummondville facility resumed operations the week of June 19 after 427 union members approved the proposed settlement by a 93.6% rate after verifying available pork bellies.  

An Olymel spokesperson told MEAT+POULTRY that operations gradually started early in the week in all production steps including injection, pressing, slicing and packaging. The company plans to operate at 100% capacity on June 21. 

“Olymel management would like to acknowledge the efforts of the conciliator from the Ministère du Travail, Diane Larouche, as well as the involvement of members of the union leadership and the workers in finding common ground that satisfies all parties,” the company said.

The pork producer announced some significant moves in recent months.

The company said in late May that it would reduce hog production in several units in Western Canada.

During April, Olymel said that it would close a major hog processing plant in Quebec that would lay off 994 employees. And in February, Olymel stated that it would close two other pork processing plants.