Locals 175 & 633 In The News

Collective Agreements

Anniversary Updates

Better Beef (Cargill) workers ratify new contract terms

On May 17, 2008, the more than 700 members of the bargaining unit at Cargill Better Beef in Guelph secured a new four-year contract. Highlights of the new deal include:

• Wages increase across-the-board by 35 cents per hour retroactive to January 1, 2008. Subsequent increases are 35 cents per hour effective January 5, 2009 and January 4, 2010 as well as 45 cents per hour on January 3, 2011.

• Company contributions to the pension plan increase to $25.50 per week in 2008, $26.50 per week in 2009, $27.50 per week in 2010 and $28.50 per week in the final year of the contract.

• Health & Welfare benefits improve to provide Long Term Disability coverage of $1,550 per month, up from $1,500, an extension of benefits coverage up to one month after layoff, massage therapy coverage of $325 per year, up from $300, Weekly Indemnity of $450 per month, up from $440, and lifetime orthodontic coverage of $1,500, up from $1,000.

• Bereavement leave entitlement now includes parent, step-parent and stepchild to four days paid leave.

• There are improved numerous jobs in the job classifications – with improvements from lower pay scales to higher pay scales – and the employer will provide freezer suits for workers required to do specific jobs.

• The tool allowance increases to $450 per year, up from $400 and the employer will pay for the renewal of licenses for certified Tradesmen.

• The company will contribute $1,500 per year, up from $1,000, toward the Locals 175 & 633 Training & Education Fund.

• Language improvements cover deemed termination, layoffs, recall, sunset clause, union time allowed for the Chief Steward, steward representation, grievance procedure, arbitration time limits,

• In addition, previous language has been deleted which stated that time limits are mandatory and grievances can be deemed abandoned.

• New language addresses pay equity, pay for a nine person negotiating committee, and important provisions restricting management from performing bargaining unit work.

As a result of bargaining for crucial language preventing the employer from contracting out work and to allow the company more flexibility to operate, the negotiating committee took concessions in two areas. Mandatory overtime is now eight hours per week, up from five, and the 40 hours of work per week minimum can be reduced to 37 hours per week, but not more than 10 times each year. 

Union Negotiating Committee: Peter Camilleri, Rick Daudlin, Sharon Daudlin, Bryan Dennis, Bogdan Giergiel, Rudy Gwinner, Shawn Jones, Bob Munro, Chris Watson, Union Reps Mike Duden and Richard Wauhkonen and South West Director Ray Bromley.

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Dover Flour workers ratify new deal

Local 175 members working at Dover Flour in Cambridge, met on May 18, 2008, to ratify the improvements to their contract. The 64-member bargaining unit secured a three-year collective agreement, which includes the following highlights:

• Wages increase across-the-board by 3 per cent in each year of the contract with the first raise retroactive to February 1, 2008.

• Shift premiums increase to 60 cents per hour, up from 55 cents, for hours worked between 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., and 70 cents per hour, up from 60 cents, for those scheduled 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

• The major medical lifetime maximum increases to $25,000, up from $15,000, and Life Insurance/AD&D coverage improves to $45,000, up from $40,000.

• Workers benefit from improved vision care coverage of $200, up from $180, every 24 months, chiropractor coverage of $20 per visit, up to $200 per year, and hearing aid coverage of $200 every five years, up from $100. In addition, unused sick days will be paid out in full.

• Workers receive Family Day as a paid holiday and vacation entitlement improves to five weeks after 18 years, instead of the previous 19 years required.

• Language improvements address overtime sign-up, bereavement leave, transfers and lost wages for the negotiating committee.

Union Negotiating Committee: Larry Luckhardt, Howard McCutcheon, Mark Whitehall, Union Rep Richard Wauhkonen and South West Director Ray Bromley.

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Executive Car Wash workers ratify new deal

On May 30, 2008, Local 175 members working at Executive Car Wash in Toronto ratified a new contract. The three-year agreement includes the following highlights:

• Wages increase by 25 cents per hour effective the date of ratification, 20 cents in the second year and 25 cents in the third year.

• Active employees receive a signing bonus of $110 for full-time and $55 for part-time.

• Vision care for employees increases to $140 per 24-month period.

• The safety shoe allowance increases to $85 per year, up from $80.

• Workers receive Family Day as a recognized statutory holiday.

Union Negotiating Committee: Perseverando Dumaguin and Union Rep Linval Dixon.

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London Pepsi workers achieve new agreement

Local 175 members working at the Pepsi Bottling facility in London ratified a new three-year collective agreement at a meeting held May 4, 2008. The 76 members of the bargaining unit achieved the following contract improvements:

• Wages increase by 30 cents per hour in the first year, retroactive to March 1, 2008, 40 cents per hour in the second year and 65 cents per hour in the third year of the contract term. In addition, workers receive a signing bonus of $200 each.

• Company contributions to the Canadian Commercial Workers Industry Pension Plan (CCWIPP) increase to $1.03 per hour effective March 1, 2008 and $1.23 per hour effective March 1, 2009. In addition, the company will contribute 10 cents per hour for all employees on the seniority list toward the CCWIPP Stabilization Fund effective March 1, 2010.

• Bereavement leave improves to provide four days, up from three, for the death of a parent and three days for the death of a grandchild.

• The company will pay 100 per cent of the cost for A-Z physical exams every three years.

• The tool allowance for Serviceperson “A” and Mechanic classifications increases to $250 per year, up from the previous $200. Inside workers benefit from an increase to their maximum uniform points.

• Full-time employees with seniority may now bank up to 40 overtime hours per year to be used by March of the following year or paid out.

• An employee, who is laid off, may request a vacation day(s) to top up his/her wages for the week.

• Improved language addresses time limits for the company regarding discipline.

• Other language identifies workweeks and provides for route picking within a geographical area, three times per year.

Union Negotiating Committee: Andy Horvath, Paul Lekx, Steve Robinson, Ian Scanlan and Union Rep Wendy Absolom.