Contents

Collective Agreements

Union achieves good new contract at Bunge Canada

Local 175 members at Bunge Canada (formerly CanAmera Foods) in Hamilton ratified a new collective agreement on December 14, 2004. Highlights include:

• Wage increases of 3.25 per cent, retroactive to November 2, 2004, plus 3 per cent November 2, 2005, and 3 per cent on November 2, 2006.

• Night shift premiums increase to 70 cents per hour.
  Company contributions to the workers’ pension plan increase to provide retirement benefits for members.

• Improved language applies to temporary transfers, expedited grievance procedure, discipline meetings, termination and retirement notification, unpaid leave, vacation bookings and seniority applicable to layoffs and recalls.

• The letter related to the maintenance call-in system and overtime has been amended for clarification, with individuals assigned to pager duty receiving $12 per day, Monday to Friday, and $20 daily on the week-ends.

• A letter has been added relating to shift change procedures.

• Three additional relief operator position has been added, for as long as is deemed necessary.

• The meal allowance becomes $9 and the safety boot allowance increases, in each year, to a maximum of $190.

• The maximum tool allowance increases to $225 for Maintenance workers and $90 for Crushing and Boiler Room operators.

• New employees in Maintenance, Crushing, and Boiler Departments become eligible for a tool allowance after six months of service.

• Subject to three waiting days, sick pay increases to $623.26 per week in the last year of the contract.

• The maximum supplementary health expense benefit increases to $7,000 in every three consecutive years.

• The dental plan coverage increases to $1,300 per employee and dependent, per year and effective every March 1, payments rise to match the current year’s Ontario Dental Association Fee Guide.

• A new Equipment Person position has been added, as has a Boat Unloading 25 cent hourly premium applied to Non-Self Unloading Boats.

• Agreement that the plant’s Pay Equity Plan is current and in compliance with the Pay Equity Act.

• Additionally if an Edible Oil Refinery is built adjacent to the Hamilton crush plant, the company will recognize the existing Union as the exclusive bargaining agent for the plant and post all new bargaining unit jobs.

• Existing crush unit workers selected for new positions in the Oil Refinery will be reimbursed for course costs which are pre-approved by management and necessary for specific training requirements.

• The company will provide the Union with job posting specifics, including classifications, rates and qualifications, at least 30 days prior to the start-up of the potential plant.

Union Negotiating Committee: Steve Adkins, Dennis Packham, Chuck Smith, Union Rep Kelly Tosato and Central West Regional Director Harry Sutton.

Caressant retirement workers ratify

Local 175 members at Caressant Care Retirement Home in Listowel ratified a new collective agreement on December 16, 2004. Highlights of the three-year contract include:

• Wage increases for all bargaining unit staff of 2 per cent in December 2004, 2.5 per cent in December 2005 and 2.5 per cent in December 2006.

• Additionally, Registered Practical Nurses receive an extra $1 per hour, over the life of the agreement.

• Company contributions to the CCWIPP, for retirement benefits, jump from 41 cents per hour currently to 60 cents per hour, with additional increases of 2.5 per cent on January 1, 2006 and another 2.5 per cent on January 2007.

• Employer contributions to the workers’ dental plan increase by 29 cents in 2004, 2.5 per cent on January 1, 2006 and another 2.5 per cent on January 1, 2007.

• Vacation entitlement improves to 6 weeks pay at 12 per cent for workers with 20 plus years of service.

• The statutory holiday pay calculation changes to total number of hours divided by total number of shifts (instead of the Employment Standards Act formula) which means members could receive about twice as much stat holiday pay than before.

• Vision care coverage increases from $100 to $175 every 24 months.

• Uniform allowance has increased to $6.25 per month.

• The number of stewards increases from one to two.

• Mandatory steward attendance at discipline meetings.

• Agreement that any new full-time positions created in the retirement home, for jobs covered by the collective agreement, will be included in the bargaining unit.

• Agreement that the employer will meet with the Union to create a Pay Equity Plan, pending the Ontario Court of Appeals ruling regarding joined Nursing and Retirement Homes.

Union Negotiating Committee: Donna Bartlett, Mary Vanderyk and Union Rep Wendy Absolom.

Innisfil retirement residence workers vote in favour of new contract

Local 175 members at the Innisfil Beach Gardens Retirement Residence ratified a new collective agreement on December 8, 2004. Highlights of the three-year contract include:

• Wage increases totalling 7 per cent over the term of the agreement.

• Company contributions to the Canadian Commercial Workers Industry Pension Plan (CCWIPP) increase to provide retirement benefits for members.

• The maximum number of sick days increases to 11, up from 10 per year. This number increases to 12 days effective November 1, 2005.

• Employee contributions to the UFCW Benefit Plan decrease to 2 per cent of their gross insured weekly earnings, while company contributions increase to 8 per cent.

• Improved call-in language.

• Grievance resolution.

Union Negotiating Committee: Kathleen Baptist, Pam Sewell and Union Rep Dan Serbin.