Locals 175 & 633 In The News

Collective Agreements

Anniversary Updates

Bunge Canada workers gain wage & benefit increases

At a ratification meeting held on December 4, 2007, the 70-member Local 175 bargaining unit at Bunge Canada voted in favour of a new three-year collective agreement. Highlights of the new contract include:

• Wages increase by 3 percent, for all classifications, in each year of the contract. The increases take effect annually on November 2.

• The sick pay benefit increase by 3 per cent in each year of the contract.

• Supplementary health coverage increases to $10,000.

• The annual dental cap rises to $1,500 annually, paid according to the most current Ontario Dental Association fee schedule.

• The employer’s contribution to the pension plan increases by $1.00 per hour in each year of the contract, starting November 2, 2007.

• Coverage for life insurance increases to $60,000, vision care to $195, hearing aids to $600 and chiropractic care to $250.

• The orthopedic shoe benefit increases to $400 in any calendar year.

• The tool allowance increases to $240 in any one calendar year for maintenance and up to $95 for Crush, Edible Oil Facility and Boiler Room Operators.

• Permanent vacancies are now posted on all bulletin boards for a period of 10 calendar days.

• The number of bargaining unit employees on the Health & Safety committee increases to four, including one from the Edible Oils Facility.

• The rate of pay for maintenance workers, carrying a pager on the call-in system, increases to $13 per day from Monday to Friday and $22 per day on Saturday and Sunday.

Union Negotiating Committee: Dennis Packham, Chuck Smith, Ray Williams and Union Representative Kelly Tosato.

Vending service workers ratify a number of improvements

At a meeting held December 6, 2007, the 10 Local 175 members working at Canteen of Canada in Cambridge achieved a new three-year collective agreement including wage and pension increases retroactive to August 2007.

• Wages increase across-the-board by 2 per cent retroactive to August 5, 2007 with subsequent increases of 2 per cent in the second year and 2 ¼ per cent in the final year of the contract.

• Company contributions to the workers’ pension plan improve by 9 cents per hour over the duration of the contract with the first increase retroactive to the expiry of their previous contract on August 5, 2007.

• The company will increase its contribution to the dental plan by 2 cents per hour over the life of the contract.

• New language addresses pay equity, contributions to the UFCW Charity Fund and the Chief Steward will now be part of the negotiating committee.

Union Negotiating Committee: Ross McCoy and Union Representative Richard Wauhkonen.

Community health workers vote in favour of new deal

On December 18, 2007, community health care workers at the Central Toronto Community Health Centres (CTCHC) ratified a new three-year collective agreement. The approximately 30-member bargaining unit at the Queen West and Shout clinics in Toronto benefits from the following improvements:

• Wages increase to reflect Ontario Ministry of Health guidelines.

• Mileage pay increases to 45 cents per kilometre, up from 35 cents, and the bicycle maintenance allowance is now $120, up from $100.

• Workers receive an improved professional development allowance of $700, up from $500, per year.

• Harm reduction workers now benefit from a new RRSP of $2,000 per year pro-rated to FTE.

• The employer agrees to further discuss implementing the UFCW Benefit Trust Fund health and welfare plan in order to maintain and/or improve the benefits to workers at equivalent or less cost for premiums.

• The employer will contribute $200 per year per worker toward the Wellness Benefit fund.

• Workers benefit from additional floater days, up to three, based on years of service and improved vacation entitlement with up to seven weeks paid vacation for those with 16 years or more of service.

• Language improvements provide stewards more time off for union business and all bargaining unit vacancies will be posted.

• Bereavement leave improves to seven days, instead of five, should a funeral be held outside of Ontario.

• The maximum allowed for accumulating sick leave credits is now 50, up from the previous 40.

• Those workers with 25 years of service benefit from a new clause providing, upon retirement, a cash-out of any accumulated sick leave credits up to the maximum of 50 days.

Union Negotiating Committee: Julianne Kingelin, Rose Letto, Barb Panter and Union Rep Fernando Reis.

Delft Blue & Grober members vote on company final offer

Following a mediation session with the company on December 14, 2007, members working at Delft Blue and Grober voted on a final offer from the company at a meeting held December 16, 2007. The more than 100 workers at the two facilities in Cambridge ratified the contract, which included the following:

• Wages increase across-the-board by 30 cents per hour retroactive to July 1, 2007 with subsequent increases totalling $1.30 per hour over the duration of the contract.

• All full-time employees receive a signing bonus of $500.

• Vision care coverage improves to $200, up from $170.

• Both Life Insurance and AD&D coverage each increase to $35,000, up from the $32,500.

• Company contributions toward the pension plan increase by a total of 15 cents per hour.

• The meal allowance increases to $9, up from $8.50, and the laundry allowance is now $6.50, up from $6.

• The employer will contribute $350 per year toward the Local 175 Training & Education Fund.

• Improved language addresses a number of issues including; hours of work, job postings, statutory holidays, call-ins, contracting out and recall rights improve to 21 months, from 18 months.

• Bereavement language improves to include step-parents.

• New language addresses pay equity, provides for a sunset clause of one year, and the Chief Steward will now be a part of the negotiating committee.

Union Negotiating Committee: Jason Herd, Rob Rodriguez, Paul Shiota, Union Reps Mike Duden and Rick Wauhkonen and South West Director Ray Bromley.

Three-year contract for Firestone workers

The 180 Local 175 members working at the Firestone Textiles Company in Woodstock achieved a three-year collective agreement at a meeting held December 19, 2007. Contract highlights include:

• Wages increase by a total of $1.30 per hour over the course of the contract term including retroactive pay to December 15, 2007.

• Improved language addresses the UFCW Charity Fund, vacation, seniority, discipline, layoff and recall, and a new classification called ‘Direct Cabler Operator’ will be established.

Union Negotiating Committee: Jason Kramer, Bob McLean, Ian Patterson, Garth Sutherland, Andrew Raymond and Union Rep Angus Locke.

Grand River Poultry members ratify

UFCW Local 175 members at Grand River Poultry in Beamsville, formerly known as L&V Poultry, voted in favour of a new collective agreement at a meeting held December 2, 2007. 

Workers achieved numerous improvements, including:

• Hourly wage increases, for all classifications, of 75 cents effective December 1, 2007, plus an additional 40 cents on December 1, 2008, another 40 cents on December 1, 2009 and a further 60 cents on December 1, 2010.

• The standard workweek is now Monday to Friday inclusive and no longer includes Saturday.

• Work in excess of 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week is paid at the rate of time and one half the employee’s regular straight time rate of pay. Saturday work is now also paid at time and a half, with Sunday paid at double time.

• The maximum workday, including mandatory overtime to complete daily production, has been reduced from 12 hours to 11. Additional overtime is voluntary and reduces the maximum workday for voluntary overtime from 12 hours to 9 ½ until December 1, 2008 and 9 hours after that date.

• Company contributions to the Canadian Commercial Workers Industry Pension Plan (CCWIPP) increase to 60 cents per hour effective December 2, 2008, 70 cents per hour on December 1, 2009 and $1.00 per hour effective December 1, 2010.

• Company contributions to the dental plan increase to 32 cents per hour.

• Members benefit from a new Long Term Disability plan which provides the lesser of 50 per cent of the employee’s basic monthly earnings (non-indexed) or $2,500 maximum.

• New coverage provides an annual benefit for employees of $1,000 for massage therapy and chiropractic treatments (combined) and for the first time, life insurance of $25,000 each for the worker’s spouse and children.

• Members will receive 3 days pay for bereavement leave relating to immediate family.

• After 18 years of continuous service, vacation entitlement increases to provide 25 paid days, compensated at 10 per cent.

• Additional language improvements include time spent at meetings now paid as time worked and the sunset clause relating to discipline is reduced to 18 months, from 24 formerly.

Negotiating Committee: Lucy Barbosa, Brian Wilson, and Union Representative Kelly Tosato.

108 members at Grenon’s YIG secure new contract

Members of the bargaining unit at Grenon’s YIG grocery store in Rockland voted to ratify a new collective agreement at a meeting held December 9, 2007. Highlights of the new contract include:

• End rates for both full and part-time workers receive retroactive pay of 25 cents per hour with subsequent increases totalling $1.15 per hour over the duration of the contract.

• Part-time workers in progression receive a lump sum payment of $125 and there is a new part-time wage scale.

• Company contributions to the workers’ dental plan increase to 32 cents per hour effective January 1, 2008, and the company’s contributions to the Canadian Commercial Workers Pension Plan (CCWIPP) increase by 16 cents per hour.

• Significant new language includes personal job assurance for all existing full-time employees.

Union Negotiating Committee: Carmen Faubert, Veronique Fortin, Union Rep Daniel Mercier and Easter Regional Director Dan Lacroix.

Hendriks’ YIG workers vote in favour of contract improvements

More than 100 bargaining unit workers at the Hendriks’ YIG store in Perth achieved a new collective agreement at a meeting held December 9, 2007. The contract includes the following improvements:

• The end rates receive an initial increase of 45 cents per hour full-time and 35 cents per hour for part-time effective March 1, 2008. Both full and part-time receive retroactive pay of 25 cents per hour back to June 2006.

• Increases over the course of the rest of the contract total $1.35 per hour for full-time end rates and $1.10 per hour for part-time workers at the end rates.

• Part-time employees in progressions receive a lump sum payment of $200.

• In addition, there is a new part-time wage scale and the wage scales now reflects the newly announced minimum wage increases, which in turn provides major increases for employees.

• The night crew premium increases to $1 per hour.

• Language improvements provide for an increased compliment of Union Stewards in the facility, reduced qualifiers for part-time bereavement leave and new premium pay for relieving a department manager.

Union Negotiating Committee: Dave Vandusen, Gary Yuill and Union Representative Simon Baker.

Hillside retirement care workers ratify agreement

Local 175 members working at the Hillside Park Retirement Residence in Sudbury achieved a new three-year collective agreement on December 14, 2007. The 20-member bargaining unit at the health care facility secured the following improvements:

• All active employees receive retroactive pay of 2 per cent for all hours worked as of August 22, 2007. Subsequent increases include 2 ¼ per cent in 2008 and 2.5 per cent in 2009.

• Company contributions to the workers’ pension plan improve and the rate of contribution to the dental plan increases by 1 cent per hour in each year of the contract term.

• Workers with more than 23 years of service with the company receive an additional week of vacation.

• Language improvements address job filling, steward representation, seniority, hours of work and overtime,

Union Negotiating Committee: Carol Berichon, Bonnie Howe, Jackie Luikko and Union Reps Mona Bailey and Dave White.

Home Hardware workers vote in favour of new contract

At a meeting held December 19, 2007, Local 175 members working at the Home Hardware in Gananoque achieve a three-year collective agreement, which includes the following highlights:

• Wages increase by 3 per cent in the first year and 2.5 per cent in both the second and third year of the contract term.

• The employer will now pay 65 per cent of the health and welfare premiums, up from the previous 50 per cent.

• New language provides five weeks vacation for workers with 20 years of service and the agreement recognizes Family Day as a statutory holiday.

• Other improvements include an increased boot allowance, and improved uniform, steward and vacation language.

• Bereavement leave language improves to include nieces and nephews and also bereavement during vacation.

Union Negotiating Committee: Derek Preston and Union Rep Paul Hardwick.

Innisfil Beach health care workers achieved three-year deal

The 20 members of the Local 175 bargaining unit working at the Innisfil Beach Gardens nursing home facility secured a new three-year collective agreement at a meeting held December 5, 2007. Contract highlights include:

• Wages increase across the board by a total of $1.05 per hour over the term of the contract, with the first increase retroactive to November 1, 2007.

• Company contributions to the pension plan improve and employer contributions to the dental plan increase by 1 cent per hour in each year of the contract to reach a rate of 31 cents per hour by the final year.

• Improved language covers call-ins and work over the holiday season.

• The uniform allowance is $75 per year for full-time and $40 per year for part-time workers.

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

Office staff at Katoen Natie Canada ratify new contract

At a meeting held December 20, 2007, the bargaining unit members working as office staff at the Katoen Natie facility in Mississauga achieved a new three-year collective agreement. Highlights include the following:

• All employees receive a $500 lump sum signing bonus effective January 1, 2008.

• In the second year, the end rates increase by between 25 cents and 50 cents per hour in addition to a most recent Pay Equity adjustment that added an additional $1.15 per hour to the wage scales.

• All employees receive a $500 lump sum payment in both the second and third year of the agreement term.

• Members can earn up to an additional $500 per year from the new attendance bonus point system.

• A shift premium of 55 cents per hour applies to work done during the Afternoon shift, and $1.05 per hour for those scheduled to work the Night shift.

• Workers benefit from the addition of a floater day and Family Day (February 18) is now a recognized paid holiday.

• Language establishes that the current level of health and welfare coverage will be maintained throughout the length of the contract.

• New Vision care coverage includes $250 per 24-month period and the employer will cover the cost of the eye exam.

• Improved language covers steward representation and new language provides a seven-minute grace period with respect to recording time worked. Bereavement leave improves to include aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

• The company will contribute $150 per year toward the Local 175 Training & Education Fund.

Union Negotiating Committee: Danuta Zeitouni and Union Rep John DiNardo.

New members at Liberté Natural Foods celebrate a first contract

Members at Liberté Natural Foods in Brampton were successful in achieving a first collective agreement at a ratification meeting held on December 2, 2007. The 55-page document guarantees the wages and working conditions which the Union Negotiating Committee achieved for the members. It covers approximately 45 full-time members of the bargaining unit who work for the food distribution company. The agreement includes:

• A wage grid starting at a $15 base rate per hour for full-time, rising to $18.30, after 12 months service, as of January 1, 2010.

• Employees with 12 months service receive increases of 50 cents per hour, effective as of the date of ratification in Year 1, 52 cents in Year 2 and 54 cents in Year 3 while those still in the wage progression receive an immediate increase of up to $1.25 per hour.

• The Lead Hand/Warehouse position has a premium of $1.50 per hour; vacant positions are posted and filled in accordance with Article 10.06 of the collective agreement.

• Additionally, all full-time employees who are on the payroll as of the date of ratification receive a lump sum payment of $150. The part-time wage grid ranges from start rates of $14 per hour, effective January 1, 2008 to $18.39 per hour for those who have worked 3,600 hours, effective January 1, 2010.

• Students, who are employed from May 1 to September 1 each year, are paid $12 per hour.

• Workers with seniority are paid their base hourly rate times their number of regularly scheduled hours for Ontario’s nine statutory holidays, plus Civic holiday and a floater day.

• A part-time worker who exceeds 28 hours for 12 consecutive weeks is reclassified as full-time, unless replacing a full-time employee. 

The employer also agrees to:

• Make reasonable provisions for Health & Safety including ensuring that the Safety Committee, containing a minimum of three worker representatives, meets at least once every two months to make safety recommendations and perform regular plant inspections.

• Provide a safety boot allowance of $125 per year to all full-time employees and to part-time employees who have completed one year of service.

• Provide all regular full-time employees, who have completed their probationary period, with life insurance, AD&D, long-term disability and extended health & dental plans; workers are also entitled to as many as five sick days annually; any unused sick days are paid out at 100 percent of the employee’s regular hourly pay.

• Contribute a matching amount – up to 6 per cent of annual earnings for those with 12 years of service – for those employees who elect to join the Liberté Natural Foods Inc. Group Retirement Savings Plan.

• Provide each employee with 2 sweaters or sweatshirts and one winter coat per year.

• Re-imburse members for Doctor’s notes related to absences of three days or less, up to a maximum of $10.

• A “Sunset” clause removing written discipline warnings from the employee’s record after 18 months if no additional warning is received during that time. Members also have the right to review their personnel records and may file a grievance if they object to material contained in the file. They also have the right to have a steward present at disciplinary meetings.

• Ensure that bargaining unit work is only performed by employees who are members of the bargaining unit, except in specified situations, such as emergencies.

• Not contract out bargaining unit work, if it would cause a layoff or reduction in the hours of full-time workers.

• Continue its present practice related to the Christmas bonus and also contribute a lump sum of $1,000 annually to the Locals 175 & 633 Training & Education Fund.

• The Union appointing two stewards who are permitted the necessary time during standard working hours, without loss of pay, to perform functions related to grievance & arbitration procedures, which are detailed in the new contract.

• The election or appointment of up to two members for the Union Negotiating Committee, which will be paid their hourly rate for eight hours on each day spent in negotiations, up to and including conciliation and mediation.

• The contract also includes language related to hours or work, overtime, vacations, seniority, job vacancy postings, layoff & recall rights, leaves of absence and bereavement leave. Additional provisions that protect part-time workers are spelled out in Appendix “A” of the collective agreement.

Union Negotiating Committee: Sherwin Flight, Emmerson Baque and Union Rep Rob Nicholas.

New contract for Morello’s YIG workers

On December 12, 2007, the more than 100 workers at Morello’s YIG in Peterborough secured a new contract that will bring them wage and benefit increases over its duration.

• Both full and part-time workers receive a lump sum wage adjustment of 25 cents per hour paid retroactive for hours worked between August 17, 2006 and March 30, 2008; the minimum payment is $150.

• The top rates for full and part-time members increase by a total of $1.15 per hour over the term of the contract.

• Eligible workers receive a lump sum payment of $200 for full-time and $150 for part-time on March 31, 2011.

• The premium for Department Head Relief increases to $50 per week, up from $30.

• Company contributions to the workers pension plan improve and the rate of contribution to the dental plan increases by 1 cent per hour.

Union Negotiating Committee: Randy Ellis, Rosalind Heffeman, Union Rep Chris Fuller and Eastern Regional Director Dan Lacroix.

Members at O’Reilly’s YIG vote for new contract
 
UFCW Local 175 members at O’Reilly’s Your Independent Grocer in Prescott ratified a new agreement on December 2, 2007, which includes:

• Hourly increases to end rates for both full and part-time of 35 cents per hour, effective March 31, 2008, plus another 25 cents on March 31, 2009 and 2010 and an additional 30 cent increase on March 31, 2011.

• Additionally there is a lump sum payment of $125 for part-time employees in the wage scale progression.

• Full-time employees and part-timers at the end rate of the wage progression both receive an additional 25 cents per hour on all hours worked between November 30, 2006 and March 30, 2008.

• Employer contributions to the dental plan increase to 33 cents per hour.

• Employer contributions to CCWIPP increase by 16 cents per hour.

• Part-time workers now receive vacation pay at the time of their vacation, as opposed to an annual payout.

• Qualifiers for full-time employees respecting statutory holidays are reduced.

• Significant new language includes “no harassment,” personal job assurance for all existing full-time employees and new part-time wage scales in each year of the collective agreement.

Union Negotiating Committee: Mary Alice Allan, Susan Chillson, Union Reps Simon Baker and Paul Hardwick along with Eastern Director Dan Lacroix.

Pinty’s workers approve three-year contract

The approximately 200-member bargaining unit at Pinty’s Delicious Foods in St. Catharines achieved a three-year collective agreement following a ratification meeting held December 9, 2007. The negotiated contract includes the following highlights:

• Wages increase by 35 cents per hour for all rates retroactive to November 5, 2007. Subsequent increases total 70 cents per hour for all rates over the life of the agreement.

• Maintenance rates receive a market adjustment to $24 for 1 ticket and $25 for 2nd ticket, which will be applied prior to the application of wage grid adjustments.

• Company contributions to the workers’ dental plan increase to 32 cents per hour, up from 26 cents per hour, over the duration of the contract.

• Life Insurance coverage increases by $5,000 to reach a maximum of $30,000 and workers benefit from the introductions of a new drug card.

• New language provides job security and bumping rights for seniority employees whose jobs are eliminated.

• Language improvements recognize Family Day as a statutory holiday and improved bereavement provisions now include step-parents and step-children.

Union Negotiating Committee: Ron Bautista, Missy Christie, Kate Jones, Darlene Lorrain, Judith Moore and Union Representative Kelly Tosato.

Ray Plastics workers secure wage and other improvements

Local 175 members working at Ray Plastics in Etobicoke ratified a new three-year contract at a vote held December 1, 2007. The approximately 80 workers in the bargaining unit secured the following improvements:

• Wages increase by a total of 95 cents per hour over the duration of the contract.

• Workers classified as Shipper/Receiver, Set Up and Quality Control receive an additional one-time increase of 10 cents per hour effective December 10, 2007.

• Company contributions to the health and welfare plan increase by 3 cents per hour in the 3rd year of the contract and the contribution rate to the dental plan increases to 30 cents per hour effective January 1, 2008.

• The company will contribute $1,700 per year toward the Local 175 Training & Education Fund.

Union Negotiating Committee: Rachel Gilgeous, Doolari Sheorattan, Darshan Sodhi and Union Rep Paul Jokhu.