Locals 175 & 633 In The News

Collective Agreements

Anniversary Updates

Port Colborne ADM Milling workers achieve three-year deal

At a meeting held April 10, 2007, the 75-member bargaining unit at ADM Milling in Port Colborne approved a new three-year contract including wage and benefit improvements.

• All classifications receive wage increases totalling 7 per cent over the life of the contract with the first raise retroactive to December 1, 206.

• Life Insurance and AD&D coverage each increase to $30,000 effective July 1, 2007.

• Weekly Indemnity pay increases to $460 on July 1, 2007, $470 in the second year and $480 in the final year.

• Defined pension benefits increase to $31 per month per year of service in the first year, $32 in the second year and $33 in the final year of the contract term on all past and present years of service. This amounts to a 10 per cent increase in the pension benefits received by the bargaining unit.

• Vision care coverage increases to $125, up from $100, effective July 1, 2007.

• Improved language covers grievance procedure and workers receive $375 toward the cost of safety boots.

Union Negotiating Committee: Leo Caron, Rolf Numsen, Rudy Vink and Union Rep Kelly Tosato.

Bee Clean members ratify two-year deal

Building service workers with Bee Clean, formerly J&A Building Services, in Toronto achieved a new two-year collective agreement at a ratification meeting held April 2, 2007.

• Wages increase by a total of between 52 and 85 cents per hour with the first raise retroactive to March 1, 2007.

• Contributions to the group benefit plan increase by 5 cents per hour and dental plan contributions increase by 7 cents per hour.

• Vacation pay improves to include 10 per cent pay for workers with 18 years or more of service with the company.

• The company will contribute an additional 5 cents per hour to its training and education fund payment.

• Workers receive five sick days per year.

• The boot allowance is now $100.

Union Negotiating Committee: Emilia Caeiro and Union Rep Linval Dixon.

Wage increases for workers at Blenders Delight

Local 175 members at Blenders Delight, formerly called Marek Hospitality, in Kitchener approved a 18-month collective agreement at a ratification vote held April 20, 2007. Members of the bargaining unit secure the following improvements:

• Wages increase by 45 cents per hour effective January 1, 2008 and by 25 cents per hour effective July 30, 2008.

• New hires also benefit from improved rates and progressions.

• Open jobs will now be posted for five days, up from the previous three.

• Improved language addresses personal leave notice and bereavement entitlement.

Union Negotiating Committee: Barbara Ann Callery; Mary Ann Dobson and Union Rep Richard Wauhkonen.

Cancoil workers achieve better wages and contract
language

The more than 100 workers at Cancoil Thermal Corporation in Kingston benefit from an improved collective agreement ratified at a meeting held April 1, 2007.

• All rates and progressions increase by $1.60 per hour over the duration of the contract.

• Company contributions to CCWIPP increase by 22 cents over the life of the agreement.

• Dental contributions increase by 1 cent in each year.

• Improved language covers vacation entitlement, plant shutdown, paid breaks, steward representation, training after promotion, time lines for company response and workers’ pay during power outages.

• The workers’ boot allowance improves to $75 per year.

Union Negotiating Committee: Jim Abbott, Steve Vallier and Union Rep Paul Hardwick.

Caressant Care retirement workers ratify wage & benefit increases

The unionized health care workers at the Caressant Care Retirement Home in Fergus reached a new three-year agreement with the employer, which the members ratified at a meeting held April 11, 2007.

• Retroactive to January 1, 2007, wages increase by 2.5 per cent plus 15 cents per hour pay equity.

• In the second year, wages increase by 2.5 per cent plus 5 cents per hour and an additional 15 cents per hour for pay equity.

• Wages increase by 2.5 per cent plus 6 cents per hour and 15 cents per hour pay equity in the third year of the deal.

• Contributions to CCWIPP increase over the life of the agreement.

• Dental contributions increase by 1 cent per hour in each year of the contract and vision care coverage is now $200.

• Workers receive an improved uniform allowance.

Union Negotiating Committee: Shirley Holmes, Brenda Montgomery and Union Rep Roy Reed.

Building service workers achieve wage and holiday improvements

Local 175 members working at Contact Building Services in Toronto approved a new collective agreement at a meeting held April 30, 2007. The 25-member bargaining unit achieved a three-year contract with the following improvements:

• All classifications increase by 25 cents per hour in both the first and second year of the contract, and by 30 cents per hour in the third year.

• Vacation entitlement improves to three weeks at 6 per cent pay after five years of service and four weeks at 8 per cent pay for those with eight years of service.

• New language ensures all Heavy Duty workers will wear safety shoes, which the company will provide, to an annual maximum of $50.

• The company will make a $275 contribution to the Local 175 Training & Education Fund on each anniversary of the collective agreement.

Union Negotiating Committee: Raquel Ramirez and Union Rep Paul Jokhu.

Hallmark members achieve new contract

The 10 members working with Hallmark Housekeeping at a Toronto Bay Street location approved a new three-year contract. Workers, voting at a April 21 meeting, achieve the following improvements:

• Wages increase across-the-board by 25 cents per hour in the first year, 25 cents per hour in the second year and 30 cents per hour in the final year.

• Uniforms will be provided for each worker once per year if required.

• All letters of understanding are renewed.

Union Negotiating Committee: Conceicao Lopes and Union Rep Joe DeMelo.

Home Building Centre workers ratify three-year deal

The 25 members at Home Building Centre in Thunder Bay voted in favour of a three-year new contract, which includes improved compensation and other benefits.

• Part-time wages increase by 1 per cent in each year of the contract.

• Severance pay improves to provide one week’s pay for every year of service over five years to a maximum of 26 weeks.

• Company contributions to the pension fund increase.

• The company’s payments toward the health plan premiums increase to 80 per cent by the final year of the contract. Additionally, the company will pay full-time workers a signing bonus equal to the cost increase of the plan to 60 per cent for February, March and April of 2007.

Union Negotiating Committee: Mary Hacquoil, Elaine Wof and Union Rep Colby Flank.

Jonsson’s YIG workers ratify new deal

The more than 80 bargaining unit members at Jonsson’s YIG in Kemptville approved a new collective agreement at a meeting held April 3, 2007.

• End rate wages increase by a total of $1.20 per hour over the life of the contract for all full-time workers.

• Part-time workers at the end rate receive wage improvements totalling $1 per hour over the duration of the agreement.

• Workers receive retroactive pay of 25 cents per hour for all hours worked between July 15, 2006 and the date of ratification.

• Night Shift premium increases to 95 cents per hour, up from 80 cents, and workers assigned to perform the duties of a Department Manager for more than two days receive $10 per day in addition to their regular wage.

• Bereavement leave improves to five days, up from three, for the death of an immediate family member as outlined in the contract.

• Existing employees maintain premium pay for all Sunday work, Sunday being a voluntary day for all employees.

• Full time positions are to be filled by seniority, which was not a considering factor in the past.

Union Negotiating Committee: Normand Blackburn, Elaine Phillips and Union Reps Paul Hardwick and Simon Baker.

Retail grocery workers at Loeb Southgate ratify new contract

The approximately 97 union members working at Loeb Southgate in Ottawa secured a new collective agreement at a meeting held April 1, 2007.

• End rates increase by 30 cents per hour for both full and part-time in the first, second and third year of the contract term.

• In each of the final three years of the contract end rate workers receive lump sum payments equivalent to a raise of 50 cents per hour.

• Workers benefit from improved vision care coverage, which now includes an allowance for eye exams, and a 30 per cent increase to the company’s pension contributions.

• The contract sets out provisions for the movement of the workers’ health and welfare benefits to a Union Trusteed Benefit Plan.

• Workers now have reduced qualifiers for holiday pay.

• Other improvements include increased relief pay and premiums for night workers as well as a new premium for evening work and an improved uniform allowance.

• Improved language secures wages against any minimum wage increase and bereavement leave entitlement increases.

Union Negotiating Committee: Justin Braganza, Mathew Parks, Cathy Rideout and Union Reps Jacques Niquet and Simon Baker.

Retirement care providers at Lynde Creek Manor approve first contract

New Local 175 members working at Lynde Creek Manor Retirement Residence in Whitby ratified their first collective agreement on April 25, 2007. In addition to general language establishing seniority, job security, health and safety and other policies to protect the best interests of the workers, the new three-year contract includes:

• Wages increase by 3 per cent in the first year, retroactive to April 1, 2007, and 3 per cent in both the second and third year of the contract.

• Following ratification, full-time workers receive a signing bonus of $300, part-time receive $150 and Casual employees receive $75.

• When one employee is scheduled on the evening or night shift, that employee will receive a premium of $6.50 for the shift worked between 3 p.m. and 7 a.m.

• Vacation entitlement provides between two weeks and six weeks vacation at between 4 per cent and 12 per cent pay relative to a workers’ years of service.

• Workers can accumulate sick day credits of 7.5 hours for each 162.5 hours worked, to a maximum of 90 hours.

• The company will pay 100 per cent of the life insurance premium, which provides $10,000 coverage.

• Members receive a uniform allowance of 8 cents per hour worked paid bi-weekly.

Last spring, the approximately 15 workers at Lynde Creek Manor unanimously voted to join Local 175 because they wanted better scheduling, good wages and health benefits. The employer has been operating for less than a year and is planning major expansions in the near future.

Union Negotiating Committee: Virginia St. Amand and Union Reps Mona Bailey, Judith Burch and John DiFalco.

Madoc COPE workers ratify wage and benefit improvements

Local 175 members at the Madoc COPE Corporation achieved a new collective agreement at a meeting held April 3, 2007. The three-year contract contains the following improvements:

• Full-time workers receive lump sum payments of $1,000 in the first year.

• Subsequent wage increases total an additional $721 over the second year and $948 over the last year of the contract term.

• Part-time receive a $1,000 lump sum in the first year and increases of 2.3 per cent in the second year and 3 per cent in the final year.

• Vision care coverage improves to $200 up from $150.

• Mileage premium increases to 40 cents, up from 35 cents and there is a new premium of $1,000 per year for Intake Co-ordinator.

Union Negotiating Committee: Sherrie Brett, Lynn Lee and Union Rep Chris Fuller.

Workers at Maple Leaf Pork facility ratify company’s final offer

The more than 1,200 workers at Maple Leaf Pork in Burlington secured a three-year contract that provides an enhanced severance package as well as wage and benefit improvements.

The severance package, estimated to be in excess of $6,000,000, will apply if the facility on Appleby Line closes. The package provides compensation greater than provided under the Employment Standards Act (ESA). Last October, the company announced it would wind down operations at the plant with plans to try and sell the facility to a new employer.

• Wages increase by $1.05 per hour total over the course of the contract term and all workers receive a signing bonus of $250.

• Gam Table is reclassified to Class 3, from Class 2, and Scald Tank Operator moves to Class 2, from Class 1.

• Company contributions to the Canadian Commercial Workers Industry Pension Plan (CCWIPP) increase by 10 cents per hour over the life of the agreement.

• Contributions to the UFCW Trusteed Dental Plan increase by 2 cents per hour.

• Boot allowance increases to $80, up from $70, and the workers’ tool allowance is now $200, up from $180.

• Life Insurance and AD&D coverage each increase to $35,000, up from $30,000.

• Weekly Indemnity improves for each classification.

• The health and welfare plan improves to include $4,000 per year in drug coverage, up from $3,000, and $170 in vision care coverage, up from $140.

• Bereavement leave improves to include one day for the death of an in-law sibling.

Union Negotiating Committee: Gord Cutts, Bill Foley, Lionel MacEachern, Fred Teeple, Conrad Villeneuve, Union Rep Joe DeMelo and Central West Director Harry Sutton.

OMNI Facilities workers ratify new 3-year deal

Building service workers at OMNI Facilities in Chatham approved a new three-year collective agreement at a ratification meeting held April 16, 2007. The 10-member bargaining unit secures the following contract improvements:

• Workers receive an increase of 25 cents per hour retroactive to April 1, 2007, as well as 25 cents per hour in both the second and third year of the contract term.

• In addition, full-time workers maintain 75 cents per hour above the minimum wage and part-time maintain 50 cents per hour above minimum wage.

• Company contributions to the Canadian Commercial Workers Industry Pension Plan (CCWIPP) improve.

• The company will contribute $400 toward UFCW Training & Education Fund.

Union Negotiating Committee: Betty Benoit and Union Rep Kevin Dowling.

Kenora Pepsi workers ratify three-year deal

At a ratification meeting held April 12, 2007, Local 175 members at the Kenora Pepsi Bottling facility secured a new three-year contract:

• Schedule ‘A’ workers receive a lump sum payment of between $1,000 and $1,500 plus subsequent increases of 3 or 4 per cent in both the second and third year of the contract term.

• The Lead Warehouse Tech receives increases totalling 6 per cent over the life of the agreement.

• Shift premiums for overnight work and lead hand each increase to 65 cents per hour, up from 45 cents.

• Vacation improves to five weeks for 19 years service and six weeks after 28 years of service with the company.

• Bereavement leave entitlement increase by one day, to four, for the death of a spouse, child or step-child.

• Apparel allowance increases to $425 per year, up from $400, and the meal allowance is now $40.

Union Negotiating Committee: Jeff DeGagne, Craig Metail and Union Rep David Noonan.

Wage & benefit improvements for workers at Tetreault’s Valumart

At a meeting held April 22, 2007, the approximately 50 bargaining unit members at the Tetreault Valumart in Belle River secured a new collective agreement.

• Full-time wages increase by 20 cents per hour retroactive to August 27, 2006, with subsequent increases totalling 65 cents per hour over the duration of the contract.

• Part-time staff receive a retroactive increase of 15 cents per hour plus another 55 cents per hour over the contract term.

• Full-time workers receive two RRSP contributions of $250 from the company and part-time, with at least five years of service, receive two payments of $125 toward their RRSP

• Improved language addresses bereavement leave.

• New language covers health & safety, schedule posting and time limits for grievance arbitration.

Union Negotiating Committee: Monique Girard, Linda Prestyk and Union Rep Julie Johnston.

Waste Management workers secure wage, pension and severance improvements

The 40 members working at Waste Management in Maidstone, near Windsor, achieved a new three-year collective agreement at a meeting held April 9, 2007. The unanimous ratification secures the following improvements for these workers:

• Wages increase by 3 per cent for all classifications in the first year. Workers receive a lump sum payment of $1,500 in the second year, which can be placed into an RRSP, and another 3 per cent for all classifications in the third year. The company will also provide a signing bonus of $300 in the form of a gift certificate from one of the employee’s choice of three businesses.

• Dental contributions increase by 1 cent per hour in the first year.

• Company contributions to the Canadian Commercial Workers Industry Pension Plan (CCWIPP) increase by 5 cents per hour in each year of the agreement to bring the payment level to $1.10 per hour in the first year, $1.15 per hour in the second year and $1.20 per hour in the final year.

• Improved language states that job bidding will take place every July should employees wish as shown by way of vote held each June.

• An enhanced severance package provides two weeks pay per year of service, including employees on active layoff, in the event of a permanent closure of either the Windsor or Chatham facilities.

• Other improvements cover pay equity language and health and safety.

Union Negotiating Committee: Dan Kennette, Tim O’Donnell and Union Reps Kevin Dowling and Julie Johnston.