Locals 175 & 633 In The News

Collective Agreements

Anniversary Updates

Dickies Canada members approve three-year contract

At a meeting held February 26, 2007, the approximately 115-member bargaining unit at Dickies Canada, in Hanover, secured a new three-year collective agreement. The Local 175 members benefit from the following improvements:

• Base Rate wages increase by 54 cents per hour over the life of the contract and Time Workers receive increases totalling 57 cents per hour over the three-year term.

• The start rate for Piece Rate workers improves to $8.50 per hour, up from $8.

• Life Insurance coverage improves to $12,000, up from $10,000.

• An RRSP amendment brings the eligibility to seven years, down from 10.

• Sick benefits improve to $50 per week, up from $25 and $30.

• Improved bereavement leave now includes step-parents under the provision for three days leave.

• Language changes cover time limits on arbitration.

Union Negotiating Committee: Ruth Ann Luedke, Donna McCracken, Tammy McCracken and Union Rep Angus Locke.

Members at Simcoe’s R. Fiedler Meats reach new deal

The approximately 20 members at R. Fiedler Meats in Simcoe achieved a new collective agreement, which provides a number of improvements over its duration. At a meeting held February 17, 2007, members approved the contract including the following highlights:

• All full-time workers (except Charge Hands) receive lump sum payments totalling $1,800 and an additional 3 per cent increase in the last two years of the contract.

• Full-time workers classified as Charge Hand receive increases to the end rate totalling $3.82 per hour over the course of the contract.

• Contributions to the workers dental plan increase by one cent in each year to reach 35 cents per month by the end of the contract.

• Hearing aid coverage is now $700 every three years instead of the previous five years.

• Physiotherapy coverage is now $400.

• Workers benefit from an increased to their boot allowance of $25 and the company will pay a maximum of $150 toward a coat for drivers.

• Vacation entitlement improves to five weeks at 10 per cent pay for those with 20 years of service or more.

• The company agrees to contribute $200 per year toward the Local 175 Training & Education Fund.

Union Negotiating Committee: Mikhail Smali, Gary VanEvery, Stan Watson and Union Rep Rick Hogue.

First contract for Inovatech Egg Products

A first agreement has been reached for Local 175 members working at Inovatech Egg Products in St. Mary’s. The company, however, has announced that it will be closing its business in March 2007. Taking this into consideration, the union negotiated enhanced severance packages and a two-year term on the contract in the event a successor employer sets up at this location. Workers ratified the deal at a meeting held February 25, 2007.

• Language provides for reopening a discussion on wage increases and benefit improvements should a new employer take over.

• Shift premiums include 50 cents per hour for cross training.

• Vacation, bereavement and holiday language are established as are health and safety provisions, a rewards program and RRSP language.

• Contract language establishes grievance procedure, seniority rights, job posting, union steward representation and a sunset clause of 18 months.

• A labour adjustment program will be put in place for the members affected by the closure.

• Workers with more than five years service who remain at the plant until its closure receive $1,500. Those with less than five years service receive $250.

• Enhanced severance packages include 1.5 weeks pay for each year of service for those with five years service or more. Those with fewer than five years service receive 1 week pay per year.

Union Negotiating Committee: Roland Eurig, Wendy Nethercott, Union Reps Roy Reed and Richard Wauhkonen and South West regional director Ray Bromley. Special assistance provided by Gail Carrozzino.

Safeway workers achieve three-year contract

At a meeting held February 25, 2007, Local 175 members working at three Canada Safeway stores in Thunder Bay voted in favour of a new three-year contract. The approximately 500 workers secured the following improvements:

• Part-time staff hired prior to May 1, 1995 and all full-time staff receive a retroactive increase of 25 cents per hour effective October 15, 2006. Any part-time worker hired after May 1, 1995, receives retroactive pay of 20 cents per hour.

• Some part-timers receive up to $1.10 per hour in wage increases.

• Full-time end rates receive increases of between 75 cents and 90 cents per hour over the duration of the contract term.

• Shift premium for store manager relief increases to $1 per hour, up from 90 cents and night shift premium improves to 75 cents per hour, up from 70 cents.

• Workers hired prior to the date of ratification receive a Sunday shift premium of $1.60 per hour.

• A worker designated as Coffee Bar Operator receives a premium of 50 cents per hour.

• Any worker employed at the full service meat counter, who was not previously a meat cutter, receives a shift premium of 50 cents per hour.

• In addition to regular contributions, the company will make a contribution of $642,000 to the Canadian Commercial Workers Industry Pension Plan (CCWIPP) to be paid in three equal installments.

• Long-term disability coverage improves over the course of the contract term.

Union Negotiating Committee: Steve Cattani, Tiia Liigvald, Linda Petch, Dan Richmond, Carla Tremblay, Barb Wojciechowski and Union Reps Colby Flank and David Noonan.

Sobeys distribution workers approve wage increases & compensation packages

The more than 600-member bargaining unit working at the Sobeys retail support centre in Milton ratified a new three-year collective agreement.

• Workers receive wage increases of 3 per cent in each year of the agreement.

• Full-time workers receive a lump sum signing bonus of $650 and part-time receive $300.

• Company contributions to the Canadian Commercial Workers Industry Pension Plan increase to 85 cents per hour over the course of the agreement term.

Last fall, Sobeys announced its plan to open a new distribution centre in Vaughan, which would have a huge impact on the workers at the Milton location. The new contract includes seniority based severance offers, a shift bid process, transition bonuses and severance packages.

“It’s important that this agreement contain language covering severance pay and similar compensation for workers who will lose their jobs as a result of the new facility Sobeys plans to open in Vaughan,” says Local 175 president Wayne Hanley. “We want to ensure that each worker has resources available to them.”

In addition, the company agrees to contribute $150 per worker toward the Adjustment Committee, which will provide affected workers with job training, resume writing, EI assistance and other resources.

Union Negotiating Committee: Bryce Black, Nick Iannou, Mark Page, Steven Wright, Union Rep Dan Serbin and Central West Director Harry Sutton.

Sobeys Retail Support Centre negotiating committee (left to right): Mark Page, Nick Ioannou , Steve Wright , Bryce Black

YM Inc workers approve wage and compensation improvements

At a meeting held February 8, 2007, the approximately 20-member bargaining unit at YM Inc in Toronto achieved a new three-year collective agreement.

The employer has announced its intention to move its distribution centre to Vaughan from its current location in Toronto. The new contract includes provisions so that the current collective agreement will apply to the new location. Those employees not offered a position at the new facility will receive severance as laid out in the new contract.

• Wages increase by 35 cents per hour in each year of the agreement.

• Company contributions to the workers’ benefit plan will increase to $138 per month by the end of the contract.

• Improved language clarifies the use of casual workers.

Union Negotiator: Union Rep Paul Jokhu.