Improved wages and benefits for Broadview Nursing workers

Health care workers at the Broadview Nursing Centre in Smiths Falls ratified a new collective agreement on June 8, 2004. Highlights include:

• All classifications receive across-the-board wage increases of 40 cents per year of the contract, including pay equity adjustments.

• Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) receive additional wage increases totalling $2.20 per hour over the course of the agreement.

• Contributions to the workers pension plan increase by 2 cents per hour per year covered by the term of the agreement, resulting in an improved member retirement benefit.

• Contributions to the members’ dental plan increase by 1 cent per hour, in each year of the contract.

• There is also new contract language covering the picking up of shifts and replacement hours.

Union Negotiating Committee: Tanya Sullivan, Norma Wright and Union Rep Luc Lacelle.

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Cancoil strike ends - workers receive better wages and benefits

On June 16, 2004, workers at Cancoil Thermal Corporation in Kingston ended a two-month strike and voted yes to a new collective agreement. The new contract contains many improvements and in particular addresses the issues that forced the workers to strike in the first place. The three-year contract includes:

Wage increases totalling $1 per hour over the course of the agreement.

Pension contributions increase immediately to 33 cents per hour.

Improved dental benefits resulting from increased contributions to the worker’s dental plan. Contributions will total 29 cents per hour by the third year of the deal.

Significant language improvements include a new clause regarding labour management meetings and job descriptions – the parties agree to meet and review all job descriptions.

Members at this unit produce coils for residential and commercial air conditioning units.

Click below to read news items during the Cancoil strike.
Apr 14: Cancoil workers in Kingston are ready to strike
Apr 16: Cancoil workers on strike
Apr 23: Cancoil injunction to reduce picketing rejected

Union Negotiating Committee: Tony Noakes, Ralph McCargar and Eastern Regional Director Dan Lacroix.

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• Across-the-board wage increases for all classifications of 25 cents per hour in each year of the agreement.

• Effective July 4, 2004, the company will begin contributions to the Canadian Commercial Workers Industry Pension Plan (CCWIPP) thereby improving the members’ retirement benefits.

• Effective July 1, 2004, the company will begin contributions to the UFCW Trusteed Dental Plan at 30 cents per hour resulting in improved coverage.

• Optical coverage improves to $225 per 24-month period.

• Important new language protecting workers seniority and jobs.

Members at this location produce hamburger patties for McDonald’s restaurants.

Union Negotiating Committee: Davinder Dandiwal, Vera Sellar, Diego Serrano and Union Rep Joe DeMelo.

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• Wage increases totalling $1.85 per hour over the course of the agreement for permanent workers. Temporary staff receive wage increases totalling $1.40 per hour.

• Increased pension entitlement to $60 per month per year of service.

• An hourly premium of 49 cents for all Cooler Delivery workers.

• Long Term Disability benefits increase to a monthly maximum of $2,400 (effective August 1, 2004).

• Life Insurance coverage increases to $50,000 (effective September 2004).

• Weekly Income Benefits increase to a maximum of $600 (effective September 2004).

• Increased safety boot allowance of $150 per year, effective January 2005.

• Improved language regarding over-time pay and leaves of absence.

• An additional letter of agreement addressing temporary employees and job filling based on seniority.

Union Negotiating Committee: Mark Doggett, Rick Uhrig and Union Rep Kevin Dowling.

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Food Basics workers ratify new contract

More than 6,300 Ontario union members working full-time and part-time at 76 Food Basics discount supermarkets have achieved a new contract. They work in locations operated by independent franchisees and also in corporate, A&P-owned stores. Members ratified the agreement at province-wide membership meetings, in 29 locations which took place on June 21 and 22, 2004.

“In an environment where food retailers are demanding significant concessions in labour costs, the Union negotiating committee bargained an excellent agreement,” says UFCW Local 175 PresidentWayne Hanley. “Despite pressure from the employer to eliminate the pension plan, it was maintained and the employer’s contribution to it was increased by 5 cents per hour. Additionally, all bargaining unit employees receive a wage bump of 75 cents per hour over the life of the agreement.” The first year’s increase is retroactive to February 2004.

As well, there are numerous improvements in contract language. In spite of an industry trend to a “continental” or seven-day workweek, current full and part-time workers were able to maintain a Monday-Saturday workweek. Sunday work is scheduled over and above with all pre-ratification employees offered Sunday work, by seniority, on a rotating basis, and paid a $1.60 per hour premium. For the first-time, full-time workers will be entitled to a full weekend (both Saturday and Sunday) off, once in every four-week period.

The employer is required to post permanent, full-time department manager position vacancies and to fill these based on seniority, provided the applicant has the requisite skills and ability. The potential for additional full-time positions has been created due to a new six-week limitation on the employer’s ability to schedule part-timers for absent full-timers. The grocery department manager and pharmacy technician have been recognized as bargaining unit positions, covered by the union contract. A process for layoff and recall, including bumping rights, has been bargained for the first-time.

Also for the first-time workers gain the ability to bank hours for future use as sick or personal time. Part-timers will also see an increase in the minimum shift guarantee, provided the hours are available. All bargaining unit members are now entitled to expedited investigations regarding harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination and other types of human rights violations.

The union negotiating committee met with the company for a total of 13 days, from March through June, to hammer out the new agreement. The committee members were Richard Ambrush, Phil Casimiri, Roseanne DesLauriers, Teresa Nuccitelli, Tina Policelli, Nancy Rogers, Debbie Ross and Mark Stockton, along with Union Reps Judith Burch, Matt Davenport, John DiNardo, Sylvia Groom, Roy Reed, South Central Regional Director Sharon Gall, and UFCW Local 175 President Wayne Hanley.

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Grocery Depot workers secure three-year agreement

On June 15, 2004, members at Grocery Depot in Kirkland Lake ratified a renewed three-year collective agreement. Contract highlights include:

• Wage increases of 2 per cent in each year of the agreement.

• Improved pension and dental benefits for members.

• Part-time workers now receive sick days and vacation improvements.

• Statutory Holiday entitlement now includes Civic Holiday.

• Members benefit from improved recall rights of up to 48 weeks, a shorter probation period, a sunset clause of 12 months and more time to file grievances.

• In addition, there are improvements to bereavement leave entitlement and new, stronger language regarding steward representation.

Union Negotiating Committee: Archie Mackinnon, Kim Villeneuve and Union Rep Tim Deelstra.

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The annual United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) Gala Dinner to benefit the Leukemia Research Fund of Canada (LRFC) raised a record amount of money this year.

Representatives from many UFCW locals as well as other unions and affiliated organizations were at the dinner, held Friday, June 18, 2004.

François Lauzon, president of TUAC Local 500 in Quebec, presented the largest cheque to the LRFC in the amount of $230,000. Locals 175 & 633 were close with Local 175 President Wayne Hanley presenting a contribution of $225,000.

Other generous donations included:

George Chuvalo’s Fight Against Drugs) – $10,000
UFCW Local 401 – $25,000
UFCW National Council – $20,000
UFCW Local 1000A – $40,000
UFCW Local 1518 – $30,000
Beer Store & Local 12R24 – $60,000
UFCW Local 1869 – $2,000 (brand new local)
UFCW Local 333 – $8,000 (brand new local)
Mix Motor Sport – $16, 572

This year’s grand total is $751, 566!
This beats last year’s total by over $70,000.

Canadian celebrities on hand to support the cause included former Heavyweight Boxing Champ George Chuvalo, country western singing star Ian Tyson, rock musician Tom Cochrane and Olympic speed skating gold medalist Catriona LeMay Doane. Sports announcer Joe Bowen, the ‘voice of the Toronto Maple Leafs,’ helped emcee the event. Mr. Bowen’s son beat Leukemia nine years ago and has been in remission ever since.

Article posted: June 21, 2004

The Union and workers filed a number of grievances against the Rainy Lake Hotel in Thunder Bay regarding late payment of workers’ pay cheques as well as dental and health and welfare benefit premiums. In addition, the Union filed two policy grievances against the company because of their failure to remit both the workers’ pay and Union dues on time.

Over the last several years, the company has been habitually late in its payment of both health and welfare premiums as well as workers’ pay. This places a lot of stress on the workers who have scheduled payments of their own to make. This particular grievance addressed five late-payments in the beginning of 2004 and an ongoing failure to remit premiums and union dues.

The company claims it is suffering financial difficulties and about to undergo financial restructuring. Arbitrator Marcotte, however, sided with the Union because the company has a clear history of failing to make timely payments – even after an arbitration decision earlier this year ordered the company to comply with the same financial obligations.

The company is ordered to pay the Union Dues it owes and an additional amount to cover bounced cheques previously remitted for dues. With respect to the Benefit Trust Fund and the Dental Plan, the company must pay the amount specified in the collective agreement. Arbitrator Marcotte added a compliance order to his decision, at the request of the Union, to prevent the company from violating these same collective agreement provisions in the future.

Article posted: June 17, 2004

This year's walk-a-thon to help raise funds for the fight against Leukemia was a great success. Participants raised over $15,000 to benefit the Leukemia Research Fund of Canada (LRFC).

Retired Union Rep Susan Bayne organized the event. Forty-one registered walkers, along with their family and friends, came along for the day and to have lunch at the great barbecue held after the walk.

Article posted: June 16, 2004

On June 16 & 17, 2004, Local members will participate in a two-day seminar called Action Team Building at the Mississauga Training & Education Centre. This course focuses on teaching members what to do in the event of a strike or lockout at their workplace and how to support fellow Union members during other strikes.

Participants are also encouraged to be politically active in their communities whether it be at the municipal, provincial or federal level. Support of fellow union members during strikes and lockouts is very important and goes a long way to building solidarity within the labour movement.