Broadview Nursing Centre

Effective April 3, 2006 (unless otherwise noted), the following improvements occur as a result of your collective agreement:

• All rates and classifications receive a wage increase of 25 cents per hour and a subsequent increase of 15 cents per hour on October 3, 2006.

• Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) receive an additional increase of 30 cents per hour and a subsequent addition of 30 cents per hour effective October 3, 2006.

• Effective October 3, 2006, the company contributions to the pension plan increase by 2 cents per hour.

• On October 3, 2006, company contributions to the dental plan increase by 1 cent per hour.

Cancoil Thermal Corp

Effective April 2, 2006, the following improvements occur as a result of your collective agreement:

• Wages increase by 35 cents per hour.

• Company contributions to the dental plan increase to 29 cents per hour.

  Reminder:

• Company contributions to the pension plan are at 33 cents per hour.

• Boot allowance is now $130 per 24-month period.

Crown Ridge Place

Effective April 1, 2006, the following improvements occur as a result of your collective agreement:

• Wages increase by 2.5 per cent.

• Dental contributions increase to 31 cents per hour.

• Pension contributions increase to 52 cents per hour.

• Uniform allowance increases to 12 cents per hour.

Erin Mills Nursing

Effective April 1, 2006 (unless otherwise noted), the following monetary improvements occur as a result of your collective agreement:

• Wages increase by 35 cents per hour effective March 1 and again on October 1, 2006.

• Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) receive additional wage adjustments of 10 cents per hour on March 1 and 15 cents per hour on October 1, 2006.

• Registered Nurses (RNs) receive wage adjustments of 90 cents per hour.

• Dental plan contributions increase to 28 cents per hour, effective January 1, 2006.

• Contributions to the pension plan increase to 62 cents per hour effective October 1, 2006.

Loeb St. Laurent

Effective April 2, 2006, the following improvements occur as a result of your collective agreement:

• Full-time workers at the end rate and part-time clerk/cashiers receive wage increases of 35 cents per hour.

• Part-time service clerk end rate increases by 20 cents per hour.

• Red-circled workers receive a lump sum payment.

Reminder:

• Schedule your Floater Day.

• Part-time workers averaging 22 hours per week in the previous year are entitled to part-time benefits as per the collective agreement.

• The company is now paying 65 cents per hour worked toward the pension plan for both full and part-time workers.

• Both full and part-time workers may be entitled to dental benefits – check your collective agreement.

Madoc COPE Corporation

Effective April 1, 2006, the following improvements occur as a result of your collective agreement:

Maple Leaf Pork Burlington

Effective April 1, 2006, the following improvements occur as a result of your collective agreement:

• Wages increase to the following amounts:

  • Class 1 - $12.05
  • Class 2 - $13.20
  • Class 3 - $14.05
  • Class 4 - $16.05
  • Class 5 - $17.05
  • Class 6 - $24.30
  • Class 7 - $26.25
  • Class 8 - $27.00
• Contributions to the UFCW Trusteed Dental Plan increase to 30 cents per hour.

• Company contributions to the Canadian Commercial Workers Industry Pension Plan (CCWIPP) increase to 90 cents per hour. On October 1, 2006, the contributions increase to 95 cents per hour.

North Park Nursing

Effective April 1, 2006, the following improvements occur as a result of your collective agreement:

Full and Part-Time:

• Wages increase by 2.5 per cent plus a pay equity adjustment.

• Company contributions to the Canadian Commercial Workers Industry Pension Plan (CCWIPP) increase to 50 cents per hour.

Full-time Only:

• Dental plan contributions increase to 28 cents per hour.

Ridgewood Industries

Effective April 1, 2006, the following improvements occur as a result of your collective agreement:

• Workers with seniority receive wage increases of 30 cents per hour.

• Effective October 1, 2006, workers with seniority receive an increase of 25 cents per hour.

• Company contributions to the health and welfare plan increase to $149 + RST per month.

• Company contributions to the pension plan increase to 60 cents per hour.

Reminder:

The afternoon shift premium is now at 15 cents per hour.

Workers now have orthodontic coverage.

Victoria Retirement Living - Cobourg

Effective April 19, 2006, the following improvements occur as a result of your collective agreement:

• Wages increase approximately as follows:

• Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) 4.5%

• Personal Service Workers (PSWs) 6.5%

• Cook 6.5%

• Housekeeping 4%

• Activity Co-ordinator 3%

• Wellness Co-ordinator 4.6% plus a shift premium of 50 cents per hour.

Reminder

Local 175 President Wayne Hanley elected as new UFCW National Director - UFCW National News Release

Article posted on: April 28, 2006

TORONTO, April 28, 2006 – Wayne Hanley (see photo below), president of UFCW Canada Local 175 and International UFCW Vice-President, was elected National Director of UFCW Canada on Thursday by the UFCW Canada National Council.

Hanley’s election as National Director follows the retirement announced earlier this week by Michael J. Fraser who had served as UFCW Canada National Director since 1999 and as International Executive Vice-President of UFCW since 2004.

“Michael Fraser has done an outstanding job leading UFCW Canada,” said Hanley. “I am committed to advancing the programs he has initiated. For more than 25 years, Michael has dedicated his life to improving the lives of working Canadians and I’m determined to continue that agenda.”

Like Fraser, Wayne Hanley also started out as grocery store employee in 1976. The teenage customer service clerk at a London, Ontario Miracle Food Mart soon became involved as a union activist. Over the next eight years, he went on to become a steward, a member of his local union's executive board, and then an organizer when he was hired on staff at UFCW Canada Local 175 in 1984.

In 1992, Hanley was elected as Secretary-Treasurer of UFCW Canada Local 175. In 1999, he was elected President of Local 175 which today has grown to become North America’s largest single local, with over 50,000 members.

“I’ve been a friend and have worked with Wayne for over 20 years,” says Michael Fraser. “His vision, leadership and commitment to the members has never wavered. With Wayne, the future of UFCW Canada could not be in better hands. I congratulate him on his election. No one could be more deserving and I leave feeling confident of greater things ahead for Wayne and UFCW Canada.”

As for Fraser’s own future, “UFCW Canada will always be a part of my life, just a smaller part. I plan to continue to contribute in some way but what I’m really looking forward to is spending more time with my kids.”

Pictured below: Local 175 President Wayne Hanley (left) and outgoing UFCW National Director Michael Fraser.

President Hanley elected as new National Director

Article posted on: April 28, 2006

Local 175 President Wayne Hanley has been elected as the new UFCW Canada National Director.

The UFCW Canada National Council voted to uphold Michael Fraser’s nomination for President Hanley to succeed him following Fraser’s announcement that he was stepping down.

“I look forward to the challenges and opportunities that this venture will bring. And I want to assure every member that, in addition to my new responsibilities, I will remain president of Local 175 and I will continue to perform those duties to the level and expectation demonstrated in the past,” explains President Hanley. “I hope I continue to have the support of this union’s membership and staff in this important time of transition.”

OFL Campaign to STOP P3s and the Privatization of Public Services - Rally June 3rd

Article posted on: April 26, 2006

The Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) is planning a mass rally to protest the McGuinty government's plans to have many of our public services run by profit-making companies. These Public-Private Partnerships (P3s) will lead to the privatization of our public services – especially health care.

Support the rally by coming out to Queen's Park in Toronto on June 3, 2006 at 1 p.m. For more information visit the OFL Web site or contact the OFL at 416-441-2731.

Latest contract renewal negotiations bring no settlement but more talks being scheduled

Article posted on: April 21, 2006

The latest three-day round of negotiations aimed at achieving a renewal of the collective agreements at Loblaws, Zehrs Markets, Real Canadian Superstores and Fortinos wound up in the afternoon of Thursday, April 20, 2006 with no settlement but with a resolve on both sides to continue talks in the very near future.

Although a settlement was not reached, there was meaningful dialogue on the issues of importance to our members.

While it cannot be said that we are close to a settlement, there was enough progress to warrant further talks. Tentative dates have been set to continue negotiations June 5-9, 2006.

Senior Ontario labour/management mediators Vic Pathe and David Joffe were on hand and played an active role in bringing the union and the company together to discuss the complex issues both sides have been trying to resolve for over a year.

The meeting this week in Niagara Falls was the fourth session of bargaining since early talks commenced. Loblaw’s Companies Limited, the parent company of all the banners, has agreed that it will continue to negotiate collectively with all three locals, even though the collective agreements would remain separate following any settlement.

Formal notice to bargain will be sent to the employer by the local unions to ensure that there are no undue delays in negotiating the renewal of these collective agreements that will expire by July 1, 2006 with the exception of the Fortinos collective agreement, which expires on June 12, 2007.

April 28, 2006 is a National Day of Mourning

Article posted on: April 20, 2006

For Day or Mourning Events click here - you need Adobe Acrobat.

One life lost at work is too many. Hard working men and women – and their families – shouldn’t have to worry that when they go to work each day they could be seriously injured or killed on the job.

We must adopt safer work practices and lobby government for legislation that protects each and every worker.

In 2005, the WSIB allowed 322 claims for fatalities resulting from a work-related accident or injury and another 130 are still pending a decision. The majority of claims still pending are for occupational disease. In 2005, there were almost four times as many claims for fatal diseases than for traumatic deaths.

While the number of work-related deaths decreased last year by 61, the total number of claims filed increased by about 440.

To do your part, make sure you take notice of any and all hazards in your workplace. Make sure your Health & Safety representative and/or committee is aware of those hazards. Take all training provided to you by the company and wear all protective gear. Follow the instructions on all labels and perform your job as you have been instructed.

Locals 175 & 633 offer many Health & Safety courses to the members. Be sure to take advantage of these and learn to protect yourself and your co-workers in the workplace.