Contents

Collective Agreements

Three-year agreement for ADM Milling

Workers at ADM Milling in Mississauga ratified a new collective agreement. At the vote, held October 15, 2004, members of the bargaining unit secured the following highlights:

• Wage increases totalling 7 per cent over the term of the contract. The first increase of 2.5 per cent is retroactive to February 25, 2004.

• Retroactive wage adjustments include an additional 27 cents per hour for the Maintenance A classification and 10 cents per hour for the Maintenance B classification.

• In addition to their regular wage, workers scheduled on Second Shift receive 60 cents per hour and Third Shift receives 70 cents per hour.

• Pension contributions increase to provide an improved retirement benefit for the members.

• Increased Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage to $25,000 each.

• Increased safety shoe allowance of $75 per year, up from $60.

• Improved contract language pertaining to check off, dues remittance as well as shift and break times.

Union Negotiating Committee: Albert Hill and Union Rep Paul Jokhu.

At a ratification meeting held October 27, 2004, members at Avis Car Rentals, at Pearson International and in downtown Toronto, voted in favour or a new three-year collective agreement.

Contract highlights include:

• Wage increases totalling $2.10 per hour over the term of the agreement.

• The creation of eight new full-time positions over the contract term.

• Increased uniform cleaning and shoe allowances.

• Improved vision care coverage.

• New language regarding modified work and accommodation for employees with medical conditions.

• New layoff language securing full-time work for members of the bargaining unit.

Union Negotiating Committee: Brian Grummett, Yusuf Hersi, Tony Lee, Said Osman, retired Union Rep Larry Bain and current Union Rep Jehan Ahamed.

Perth Brown Shoe workers secure contract improvements

Members at the Brown Shoe Company of Canada, located in Perth, ratified a new three-year collective agreement on October 22, 2004. Highlights include:

• Wage increases totalling 11 per cent over the three-year term.

• A new full-time classification of Shipper Receiver receives a rate increase of 13 per cent over three years.

• Dental plan contributions from the company increase by 10 per cent, which in turn reduces the members’ contributions by 10 per cent.

• Workers are allowed overtime and sick day bank accrual.

• All members receive vacation between December 24 and January 2.

• Significant new language additions include an anti-harassment clause, health & safety precautions, the inclusion of warehouse employees in the agreement and an increased safety boot allowance of $150 per year, up from $100.

Union Negotiating Committee: Bill Ballantyne and Union Rep Luc Lacelle.

• Wage increases of 50 cents per hour in each year of the agreement.

• Two additional sick days for a total of up to 10 per year.

• Vision care coverage increases to $150 per two-year period.

• Increased shoe allowance of $80 per year and an improved cleaning allowance.

• Company-paid doctor’s notes.

• Improved language throughout the contract including the addition of a sunset clause on discipline.

Union Negotiating Committee: Omar Farah, Salem Prasail, Reum Smith and Union Rep Jehan Ahamed.

On October 29, 2004, members at Busch’s Auto Supply in Fort Frances ratified a new collective agreement. The three-year contract includes the following highlights:

• Wage increases of 6 per cent in year one, 2.6 per cent in year two and another 2.6 per cent in the third year of the contract.

• Lump sum payments of $500 for each worker, to be paid in the first pay period of December in each year of the collective agreement, to go toward the cost of the workers’ Ontario Health Premium payments.

• Increased company contributions to the Canadian Commercial Workers Industry Pension Plan (CCWIPP) resulting in an improved retirement benefit for members.

• Increased contributions to the UFCW Trusteed Dental Plan.

• Improved vacation entitlement.

Union Negotiating Committee: Robert Guertin, Howard Struve and North West Regional Director Shawn Haggerty.

Three-year agreement for Kitchener machine-shop workers

Members at E & E Seegmiller, in Kitchener, ratified a new collective agreement on October 8, 2004. These machine-shop workers secured the following highlights:

• Signing bonus of $500 upon ratification, $200 October 1, 2005 and $200 on October 1, 2006.

• Wages increase by 65 cents per hour across-the-board effective upon ratification with additional 65-cent per-hour increases in both the second and third year of the deal.

• Long-term Disability coverage increases to $1,500 per month by the end of the contract term.

• Bereavement leave entitlement improves to four days, up from 3, in the case of the death of a worker’s spouse or child.

• Lifetime maximums for orthodontic coverage increase to $2,250 by the end of the collective agreement term.

• Vision care coverage for frames increases to $110 every two years and for contact lenses, to $200 per 2-year period.

• Group Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage increases to $36,000 up from $30,000.

• Annual safety shoe allowance increases to $130.

• Improved contract language addresses: vacations, bulletin board postings, seniority, grievance procedures, arbitration time limits, Union visitation, just cause provisions and dues remittance.

Union Negotiating Committee: Mike Burgess, Robert Siopiolosz and Union Rep Richard Waukhonen.

New contract for Ottawa grocery workers

Approximately 66 workers at the Loeb Barrhaven store in Ottawa, soon to be converted into a Super C, secured a new collective agreement at a ratification vote held October 3, 2004. Highlights include:

• Wage increases of $1.40 per hour on the end rates and additional lump sum payments.

• Lead Hand and Courtesy Cash shift premiums of 75 cents per hour.

• Night Crew shift premium of 95 cents per hour.

• Employer contributions to the Canadian Commercial Workers Industry Pension Plan (CCWIPP) continue to provide workers with secure retirement payments.

• Full-time safety footwear allowance of $55 per year and $35 for part-time.

• Vacation entitlement of up to five weeks depending on length of service.

• Health & Welfare coverage includes paid sick leave, Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), Short and Long-term Disability (full-time only) and Extended Health Care (full and part-time).

• Company contributions to the workers’ dental plan increase to 31 cents per hour by December 1, 2006.

• Vision care coverage is $150 per 24-month period (full-time only).

• Hearing Aid coverage is $500 per 60-month period (full-time only).

• Numerous language improvements.

Union Negotiating Committee: Chris Beer, Peggy Sue Bullock, Donna Miriguay, Union Rep Paul Hardwick and Eastern Regional Director Dan Lacroix.

Highlights include:

• Full and part-time workers at the end rate of their classifications receive an increase of 25 cents per hour retroactive to July 4, 2004.

• Those scheduled to work on Sunday receive an hourly shift premium of $1.60.

• Night Crew workers receive a shift premium of 95 cents per hour.

• Lead Hands and those working Courtesy Cash receive a shift premium of 75 cents per hour in addition to their regular wages.

• Health & Welfare coverage includes sick pay, Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) of $12,500, Short and Long-term Disability (full-time only) and Extended Health Care for full-time and their families and part-time (employees only).

• Company contributions to the UFCW Trusteed Dental Plan increase over the course of the contract term.

• Full-time receive $150 per 24-month period toward vision care and $500 per 60-month period toward hearing aids.

• The company agrees to introduce and make contributions to the Canadian Commercial Workers Industry Pension Plan (CCWIPP) as of December 1, 2007.

• Full-time members receive $55 per year toward safety shoes and part-time receive $45.

• Guaranteed vacation entitlement (between two and five weeks with pay) relevant to length of service.

• Language pertaining to grievance and arbitration procedures and time limits.

• Language clearly outlining Union representation, a Health & Safety committee, seniority, job classification, hours of work and bereavement leave entitlement.

Union Negotiating Committee: Brad Baird, Laurie Burke, Josée Christoff, Michel Corbeil and Eastern Regional Director Dan Lacroix.

Hamilton Pepsi workers ratify new contract

Approximately 80 members at the Pepsi facility in Hamilton secured a four-year contract at a ratification meeting held October 29, 2004.

The contract includes:

• Wage increases for full-time workers totalling $2.58 over the term of the agreement.

• Increased afternoon and lead hand shift premiums.

• Increased company contributions to the Canadian Commercial Workers Industry Pension Plan (CCWIPP) resulting in improved retirement benefits for members.

• A buy-back of $45 per month per year of past service in CCWIPP.

• Improved bereavement leave entitlement.

• Increased tool allowance.

• Temps called in for work will be reclassified as full-time based on their service date.

• Expanded recognition to encompass the geographical area in which they service.

Union Negotiating Committee: Roy Klepey, Konrad Krieg, Glenn Smith, Walter Vieceli and Union Rep Chris Fuller.

On October 5, 2004, members at Pizza Pizza in Toronto ratified a new one-year collective agreement. Highlights include:

• Wage increases of 20 cents per hour.

• Improved language throughout.

Union Negotiating Committee: Kerry Gore, Sophie Kurek and Union Rep Paul Jokhu.

Unilever workers vote in favour of pay increases and other improvements

The approximately 108-member bargaining unit at Unilever Canada, operated by UBF Foodsolutions, in Belleville, ratified a new collective agreement on October 31, 2004. Highlights include:

• Wage increases of 2.5 per cent in the first year, 2.75 per cent in year two and 3 per cent in the final year of the agreement.

• Increases to evening and night shift premiums.

• Some classifications moved to a higher rate.

• Dental plan contributions increase by 4 cents per hour.

• The waiting period for sick benefits decreases to three months for new hires.

• Workers receive three sick/personal days, up from two.

• Members receive a new drug card and an increase to their vision care coverage.

• In the event of a lay-off health and welfare benefits continue for three months following that lay-off.

• Those with 18 years of service receive five weeks vacation at 10 per cent of their annual earnings.

• Language improvements include an additional two days bereavement leave, increased meal and tool allowance, a “Respectful Workplace” policy, and an alternate shift pattern, on a trial basis, until August 31, 2007.

• New language pertains to the Occupational Health & Safety act and company supplied protective eyewear, including prescription and footwear.

Union Negotiating Committee: Darryl Asselstine, Doug Rappel, Brad Steenburg, Tom Young and Union Reps Ray Bromley and Marilyn Lang.