Contents

Locals 175 & 633 In The News

Collective Agreement

Gas Bar workers at Canada Safeway approve new deal

Local 175 members working at Gas Bars in Canada Safeway location in Fort Frances, Dryden and Thunder Bay, voted in favour of a new collective agreement at a meeting held February 12, 2006. Highlights include:

• Wage increases include retroactive pay in the amount of 25 cents per hour dating back to January 1, 2006.

• Subsequent wage increases range from between 30 and 50 cents per hour over the course of the agreement.

• Any worker receiving an increase of 25 cents per hour or less as of the week following ratification, will receive a lump sum payment in the amount of:

  • $300 for workers with an average of more than 30 hours per week;

    $200 for an average of between 20 and 30 hours per week;

    $100 for an average of 10 hours or less,

• A worker designated to relieve a Team Coordinator or Gas Bar Manager for one week or more receives a shift premium of 50 cents per hour.

• Full-time workers with more than three months service and part-time with more than six months service are entitled to one floating holiday each year.

• New Health & Safety and Steward representation language establishes policy to protect the workers in the workplace.

• Improved call-in language provides three hours pay minimum for workers who are called in and report for work if required.

• Workers reporting for their regular scheduled work shift will receive no less than four hours pay in the event the shift is ended early.

• Other improved language covers schedule posting.

Union Negotiating Committee: Debora Reid and Union Reps Colby Flank and David Noonan.

Central Hotel workers ratify new agreement

Local 175 members at the Central Hotel in Dryden ratified a new collective agreement on February 19, 2006. The three-year agreement includes:

• Wages increase by 10 cents per hour as of ratification and another 30 cents per hour over the rest of the contract term.

• Company dental contributions increase to 31 cents per hour over the course of the agreement.

Union Negotiating Committee:  Katherine Bissig, Kathy Kaufman and Union Rep David Noonan.

CFSU Trenton workers secure wage increases of up to 11%

NPF workers at the Canadian Forces Support Unit (CFSU) in Trenton approved a 40-month collective agreement at a ratification meeting held February 13, 2006. Contract highlights include:

• Wages for all rates and classifications increase by a total of up to 11.07 per cent over the term of the contract.

• Part-time workers no longer have to wait for 30 days before being eligible for vacation pay at 4.25 per cent of their net pay.

• New language entitles both full and part-time workers to a Compassionate Care leave of absence without pay of up to eight weeks to care or support a gravely ill member of the family.

Union Negotiating Committee: Andree Côté, Cynthia Lilienthal, Gloria Wheeler and Union Rep Marilyn Lang.

Crown Ridge Place workers receive wage increases in HLDAA award

Health care workers at the Crown Ridge Place nursing home in Trenton have secured a new collective agreement. An arbitrator presented the Hospital Labour Disputes Arbitration Act (HLDAA) award following almost two years of negotiations and arbitration between the workers, their union Local 175 of the United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) and the company. The previous contract for these workers expired in April 2004.

Highlights of the new collective agreement include:

• Wage increases of 2.5 per cent retroactive to April 1, 2004, 2.5 per cent retroactive to April 1, 2005 and another 2.5 per cent on April 1, 2006.

• Health coverage improvements include a 4-cent per-hour increase to the pension plan over the course of the agreement and 3 cents more per hour to the dental plan over the term of the contract.

• Effective April 1, 2005, workers with 20 years of service or more receive six weeks vacation at 12 per cent pay.

• Workers now receive a day of bereavement leave with pay to attend the funeral of an aunt, uncle, niece or nephew. In addition, same sex partners and stepsiblings will be added to existing language provisions for the death of an immediate family member.

• Workers receive an increased uniform allowance of 12 cents per hour, up from 10 cents.

• New language allows new workers to meet with the Union within 30 days of hire to learn of the union’s presence in the workplace and the benefits available to them as members.

Union Negotiating Committee: Faye Lemmermeyer, Bonnie O’Brien, Kim Tandy and Union Rep Marilyn Lang.

Retirement care workers receive lump sum & wage increases

On February 1, 2006, Local 175 members at the Erin Mills Retirement Lodge ratified a new three-year contract, which includes the following highlights:

• Full-time workers receive a one-time lump sum bonus of $500 upon ratification and part-time receive $250.

• Wages increase by 2 per cent July 1, 2006. Workers receive subsequent increases of 1 per cent of both January 1 and July 1 of 2007 and 2008.

• Contributions to the workers dental plan increase to 29 cents per hour.

• Pension contributions increase to 51 cents per hour by the final year of the contract term.

• New language improves scheduling with reference to Christmas and New Years.

Union Negotiating Committee: Elaine Bennett, Teresa Maric, Danielle Robidoux and Union Rep Dan Serbin.

Fort William Golf and Country Club workers have new contract

Bargaining unit members at the Fort William Golf and Country Club voted in favour of a new three-year collective agreement. At the meeting, held February 23, 2006, workers secured the following highlights:

• Members who are part of the pay scale receive wage increases totalling __ per cent over the term of the contract.

• Workers off the pay scale receive an increase of 25 cents per hour, per year of the agreement.

• New language provisions for a Joint Health & Safety Committee, the role and responsibility of the employer in maintaining a safe workplace.

• Regular seasonal and full-time workers who have five consecutive years/seasons of service receive sick pay commencing on the third day of illness.

• Regular seasonal and full-time workers are eligible for three sick days per year.

• Workers who have complete three seasons of work with the employer receive 4 per cent vacation pay and those with four or more seasons of service receive 6 per cent.

• The Safety Equipment allowance increases to $200, up from $100.

Union Negotiating Committee: Terry Odale, Albert Swieca and Union Rep David Noonan.

Wage and benefit improvements for GCIU-CPI Benefits workers

Local 175 members at the GCIU-CPI Benefits Administration Corporation in Mississauga ratified a new three-year collective agreement at a meeting held February 14, 2006. Highlights include:

• Wages increase by 3 per cent in each year covered by the contract term.

• Pension contributions increase to $44 per week in the first year of the agreement and $46 per week in the third year of the contract.

• The company now pays benefits in full.

• Workers receive $50 per 24-month period toward the cost of eye exams.

• Eyeglass coverage for dependants increases to $200, up from $150.

• Company contributions toward the Locals' Training & Education Fund increases to 10 cents per hour, up from 8 cents.

Union Negotiating Committee: Zazalene Morrison and Union Rep Paul Jokhu.

Members at Cobourg’s Branch 133 Legion Village ratify new agreement

On February 20, 2006, Local 175 members working at Branch 133 of the Legion Village in Cobourg ratified a new three-year collective agreement including wage increases and improved health and welfare provisions.

• Wage increase for all rates and classifications by 3 per cent in each year of the contract term.

• The evening/midnight shift premium increases to 50 cents per hour, up from 45 cents, effective April 1, 2006, and increases again to 55 cents per hour effective April 1, 2007. In addition the relief premium increases to 55 cents per hour, up from 50 cents.

• Full-time workers now receive seven sick days per year, up from six, and part-time workers receive three and a half days, up from three.

• Part-time ‘in lieu of benefits’ payments increase to 10 per cent, up from 9 per cent.

• Vision care coverage increases to $200 per 24-month period, up from $150.

• New language provides workers with 23 years of service or more 12 per cent vacation pay.

• Additional provisions include an increase uniform allowance of $150 for full-time, up from $125, and $125 for part-time, up from $100.

• New language covers a Labour/Management Committee and call-ins.

Moose Lodge workers approve three-year contract

On February 19, 2006, Local 175 members at the Moose Lodge Local 844 in Thunder Bay voted in favour of a new contract. Highlights of the three-year deal include:

• Wages increase across-the-board by 25 cents per hour effective March 1, 2006 and subsequently increase by 30 cents per hour in the third year.

• Improved language ensures a Union Representative can visit the workplace during work hours.

• Increased clothing allowance.

Union Negotiating Committee: Bill Hill and Union Rep Colby Flank.

Wage increases and improved health contributions for OMNI Facility workers

On February 18, 2006, Local 175 members at OMNI Facility Services ratified a new three-year collective agreement.

• Wages for both Light and Heavy Duty classifications increase by 60 cents per hour over the course of the agreement.

• Health and Welfare contributions increase to 70 cents per hour in the first year, 80 cents per hour in the second year and 85 cents per hour in the third year of the contract term.

• Effective January 1, 2008, the company will contribute to the Canadian Commercial Workers Industry Pension Plan (CCWIPP) in the amount of 15 cents per hour worked.

• Workers at this unit provide cleaning services to office buildings.

Union Negotiating Committee: Maria de Assis, Jose Castellon and Union Rep Joe DeMelo.

Wage increases and improved language for workers at The Richmond

Local 175 retirement care workers at The Richmond in Belleville ratified a new three-year collective agreement at a meeting held February 1, 2006. Highlights include:

• Wages increase, retroactive to November 1, 2005, by 20 cents per hour. Workers at the three-year rate receive a further 10 cents per hour and Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) receive an additional 5 cents per hour.

• In the second year, all wage rates increase by 20 cents per hour with an additional 15 cents per hour for workers at the three-year rate and a further increase of 5 cents per hour for RPNs.

• All wage rates increase by 25 cents per hour in the third year plus a further increase of 10 cents per hour for the three-year rate and an additional 5 cents per hour for RPNs.

• ‘In lieu of benefits’ pay for part-time workers increases to 66 cents per hour over the course of the contract term.

• Pension contributions increase to 55 cents per hour over the course of the agreement.

• New language improves vacation entitlement for workers with 24 years of service to six weeks at 12 per cent pay of their gross earnings.

• Additional new language improvements include call-ins by seniority and procedure, and providing seven days notice to workers if an already-posted schedule is to be changed.

Union Negotiating Committee: Sherry Langabeer, Elizabeth Lougheed and Union Rep Marilyn Lang.

Shur-Gain workers vote in favour of improved settlement

Local 175 members at Shur-Gain in Stevensville ratified a new collective agreement on February 27, 2006. The three-year contact includes the following highlights:

• Workers receive wage increases totalling $1.11 per hour over the term of the contract.

• Students also receive increases over the course of the agreement.

• Workers receive a signing bonus of $500 upon ratification.

• The dental care annual maximum increases to $2,000 and the deductible for prescription drugs will be eliminated.

• The meal allowance, for those required to work more than three hours overtime in addition to their regular shift, is now $7.

Union Negotiating Committee: Nick Vescio, Randy Walsh and Union Rep Kelly Tosato.

Retirement care workers at Stone Lodge ratify three-year contract

Local 175 members at Stone Lodge in Guelph ratified a new collective agreement on February 27, 2006. Members of the bargaining unit receive:

• Across-the-board wage increases totalling 5 per cent over the course of the three-year contract term. The first raise is retroactive for hours worked since October 1, 2005 for current employees as of date of ratification.

• Increased company contributions to the Canadian Commercial Workers Industry Pension Plan (CCWIPP) of 50 cents per hour, up from 48 cents.

• Improved vacation entitlement of five weeks and 10 per cent pay for workers with 20 years of service or more.

• Annual uniform allowances increase to $175 up from $150 for full-time, and to $110, up from $100, for part-time.

United Canadian Malt workers achieve wage and benefit improvements

On February 23, 2006, Local 175 members at United Canadian Malt in Peterborough voted in favour of a new three-year collective agreement including the following highlights:

• Wage increases total between $1.80 and $2.30 over the term of the collective agreement.

• The company will pay 100 per cent of the premium cost for Long-Term Disability effective November 1, 2007.

• The employer will cover 85 per cent of the premiums for life insurance.

• Short-Term Disability pay is at 75 per cent of a worker’s regular pay.

• Workers receive improved prescription eyewear coverage of $300.

• Workers with 15 years of service or more are entitled to five weeks vacation per year.

• The company agrees to maintain a full-time staff of at least seven workers as long as business remains similar to the term of the previous collective agreement.

• In addition, there is improved language covering discipline time limits.

1,500 Ontario Zellers workers secure three-year contract

Over 1,500 Local 175 members working at Zellers stores across the province ratified a new three-year collective agreement. Contract highlights include:

• Retroactive to February 1, 2006, the start rate increases by 2 per cent and will increase 2 per cent in each of the following two years.

• Also retroactive to February 1, 2006, the six-month rate increases by 2 per cent and will increase 2 per cent in each of the following two years.

• All other workers receive an increase of between 1.5 per cent and 3 per cent in each year of the contract term.

• The health and safety committee will now include an additional two bargaining unit members to help carry out the responsibilities of this important committee.

• Improved health and welfare language better protects the privacy of members relating to their medical information.

• Bereavement entitlement language improves to include nieces and nephews in the list of family members and an associate will no longer have to attend the funeral to receive pay for the time off.

• The Sunset Clause improves to 24 months.

• The company agrees to review the Violence in the Workplace policy with all employees twice a year.

Union Negotiating Committee: Jeanette Calleja, Diane Deschamps, Jody Dunn, Lori Hovinga, Kim Kelley, LauraLee Manuel, Angela McDonnel, Eduarda Moniz, Joe Petcoff, Margaret Rae, Naphisa Ramdial, Carolyn, Renaud, Davie Toolaram, Pat Tweedie and Pat Wright.

Union Representatives on the committee were: Mona Bailey, Matt Davenport, John DiNardo, Joe DeMelo, Linval Dixon, Julie Johnston, Daniel Mercier, Rob Nicholas, Kelly Tosato, Central East Regional Director Luc Lacelle and Eastern Regional Director Dan Lacroix.