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Locals
175 & 633 In The News
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Community Nursing Home workers approve deal
Health Care workers at the Community Nursing Home in Warkworth have secured their new three-year deal at a ratification meeting held on December 17, 2009. Members will gain from significant new language and wage increases among other benefits.
- Retroactive payment of 2% will be issued for January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009, for all rates and classifications, except for registered staff. Registered Nurses will receive a wage adjustment of $1.90 to $$6.07 per hour, while Registered Practical Nurses receive a wage adjustment of $1.00 per hour for the first year. All members receive a 2% wage increase in the second year. Activity Aides will receive wage adjustments of 16 cents per hour and the Restorative Aides will receive 50 cents per hour in the second year. In the final year of the contract, all rates and classifications will see a 2% increase.
- In lieu of benefits, part-time members see wage increases of 7.5%, up from 7%.
- Vision care increases to $175 and bereavement improves to four days entitlement, up from three.
- As of January 2010 members will benefit from a new weekend premium of 15 cents per hour and this premium increases to 20 cents as of January 2011.
- Uniform allowance increases to $180 for full-time, up from $140 while part-time allowance increases to $90, up from $70.
- Members with 22 years’ service are entitled to 6 weeks vacation with 12% pay.
- New scheduling language provides opportunity for workers to take both Christmas and New Years off, based on seniority.
Union Negotiating Committee: Tracey Cassalman, Janis Marskell, Susan Millard and Union Representative Marilyn Lang.
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Horizon Plastics workers fight for four-year deal
In the weeks leading up to Christmas, members at Horizon Plastics were given an ultimatum: Take the employer’s final offer, which would expire on Friday December 18, 2009, or find the plant doors locked the very next Sunday at 11 p.m.
Our local Union met with our members just a few days before potential lockout and it was the members who sanctioned the refusal of the employer’s bottom of the barrel final offer. Two days prior to the shutdown, the workers arrived at the plant wearing their yellow UFCW toques as a sign of solidarity with each other and their Union. After witnessing the sea of yellow hats and the courage of the workers, the employer went back to the bargaining table.
On December 23, 2009, members at Horizon Plastics ratified their new four-year collective agreement, which they fought for on their terms.
- Full-time workers will receive lump sum payments of $200 while part-timers receive $120 at date of ratification. On November 2, 2010 full-time will receive $400 and part-time will see $240. On November 2, 2011 full-time workers will get $600 while part-time receives $360. In the final year of the contract, wages will increase 2% across the board on all rates and classifications.
- New language mandates the employer to give no less than 48 hours notice of any lay-off.
- The employer will now contribute up to $190 toward the cost of prescription safety glasses.
Union Negotiating Committee: Will Askew, Tom Bell, Kyle Watson, Executive Assistant Ray Bromley, Union Representative Rob Nicholas and Chief Negotiator Chris Fuller.
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Kenora Pepsi workers approve 2-year deal
Members working at Pepsi Bottling Group in Kenora secured their new two-year collective agreement at a ratification vote on December 14, 2009. The workers will benefit from the following improvements:
- Wages increase 2% as of January 1, 2010 and then 2.5% in each subsequent year of the contract for all classifications.
- Family Day is now recognized as a holiday.
- A member will receive two paid floating holidays if they do not utilize any sick days in the calendar year.
- The employer will provide full-time members with PBG Insurance and Pension Plans, which includes improvements to medical and dental coverage.
Union Negotiating Committee: Jeffery Degagne, Craig Metail and Union Representative Dean McLaren.
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Early renewal of contract for Dresden Ridgetown workers
The approximately 120 members working at Dresden Industrial in Ridgetown, met on December 20, 2009 to ratify a new contract. The previous contract did not expire until July 2010 but members agreed to reopen the contract early in an effort to secure a number of provisions. Highlights include:
- Wages increase by a total of $1.75 per hour over the duration of the contract.
- Workers will receive a total of $1,400 in Christmas bonuses over the agreement term.
- In addition to regular contributions to the Canadian Commercial Workers Industry Pension Plan (CCWIPP), the company will also contribute 20 cents per hour, effective January 1, 2010, to the CCWIPP Stabilization Fund. This amount increases to 40 cents per hour as of July 2010.
- Over the course of the contract, the following health and welfare coverage improves: massage, up by $110, chiropractor, up by $110, hearing aids, up by $110, vision care, improves by $100 and life insurance coverage increases by $5,000.
- Vacation pay improves to provide 6.5 per cent for those with one to five years’ service, 8.5 per cent for those with five to 15 years’ service and 10.5 per cent for those with 15 years of service or more.
- Company contributions to the workers’ dental plan increase by 18 cents per hour over agreement term.
- The boot allowance increases by a total of $35 over the life of the deal.
- Family Day is added as a paid holiday.
- Bereavement leave now includes grandparents and grandchildren under provisions for five days’ leave.
- The sunset clause on discipline is reduced and there is improved language for vacation scheduling and postings.
- The company will contribute 1 cent more per hour worked toward the Local 175 Training & Education Fund, which results in a contribution rate of 4 cents per hour.
- Improved language addresses transfers, layoff notice, layoff and recall and the plant committee.
Union Negotiating Committee: Sean Formagin, Kerry Gorlick, Linda Hearn, Dave Pratt, Union Rep Angus Locke and South West Regional Director Paul Jokhu.
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HLDAA decision provides workers with two-year contract
The 55 members working in retirement care at New Edinburgh Square in Ottawa have a new two-year collective agreement. The provisions, established by the arbitrator through a Hospital Labour Disputes Arbitration Act (HLDAA) hearing, were announced on December 17, 2009. The contract, retroactive to January 1, 2008, includes the following:
- Workers receive wage increases of 1 per cent every six months for the duration of the contract with the first increase retroactive to January 1, 2008. All subsequent increases will also be calculated retroactively.
- The employer will contribute an improved rate of 50 cents per hour toward the Canadian Commercial Industry Pension Plan (CCWIPP) with a new additional contribution of 5 cents per hour toward the CCWIPP Stabilization Fund.
- Family Day has been added as a paid holiday and there is improved Union security language in the agreement.
Union Negotiating Committee: Darlene Gregory, Fadime Keskin, Servicing Rep Jacques Niquet and Union Rep Paul Hardwick.
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Members at Bloor Meat ratify deal
On December 8, 2009, the bargaining unit at Bloor Meat Market in Toronto met to ratify a new two-year deal. The ratified contract includes wage increases of 2.5 per cent per year and improved bereavement entitlement which now provides one day paid leave for the death of an aunt, uncle, niece or nephew.
Union Negotiator: Union Rep Linval Dixon.
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Norview Lodge members ratify
Members working at Norview Lodge voted in favour of their new three-year collective agreement at a ratification vote on December 7, 2009. Our members will receive the following improvements:
- Members will receive wage increases of 2.9% in each year of the contract, retroactive from July 1, 2009.
- Part-time nurses will now receive at least one weekend off every four weeks.
- Full-time Registered Nurses with 11 years of service will receive five weeks’ vacation with pay.
- New language allows members to use their optical coverage for eye exams every 2 years.
- The employer will now pay 100% of the premiums associated with a Health Care Spending Account for all full and part-time Registered Nurses.
- Nurses who are assigned to supervise other employees will receive a premium of $1.00 per hour if supervising four hours or more.
- Step children are now included in the bereavement language.
- Negotiating Committee: Connie Brown, Michelle Church, and Union Representative Tim Deelstra.
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Workers ratify new deal at Ball Packaging
At a ratification meeting held December 7, 2009, workers at Ball Packaging in Whitby achieved a new collective agreement. The more than 100 members of this bargaining unit secure the following improvements in the three-year deal:
- Wages increase by 1 per cent in year one, 1.5 per cent in year two and by 2 per cent in the final year.
- The company will contribute 40 cents per hour toward the Canadian Commercial Workers Industry Pension Plan (CCWIPP) Stabilization Fund.
- Major medical coverage increases to a lifetime maximum of $50,000 and Life Insurance also increases to $50,000.
- Short-term Disability improves to $530 per week, up from $500.
- Employer contributions to the workers’ dental plan increase to 51 cents per hour in year one, up from 33 cents, then to 56 cents in year two and 59 cents in the third year.
- The company will make contributions to the workers’ group RRSP of $1,500 in each year of the contract.
- New language includes a time limits release clause for the purpose of proceeding to arbitration.
- Temporary crew changes will now be done on a voluntary basis by seniority.
- Temporary assignments will be offered first to displaced employees then assigned to back-ups on crew.
Union Negotiating Committee: Ray Layng, Brent Pittman, Dave St. Thomas, John Steiner and Union Rep John DiNardo.
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Whitby Price Chopper workers ratify
Members working at Whitby Price Chopper voted in favour of their new three-year collective agreement at a ratification vote on December 6, 2009. Workers will benefit from the following improvements:
- Full-time members who are above the wage grid will receive 5 lump sum payments of $125.00, while part-time members above the grid will get 5 lump sum payments of $75.00.
- Wages increase up to $1.40 per hour over the term of the agreement.
- Family Day is now recognized as a holiday.
- As of January 1, 2010, the Dental plan increases 32 cents per hour up from 26 cents, then increases again to 38 cents in January 2011.
- Part-time members with five or more years of service will be reimbursed $125 every 24 months toward the cost of eye glasses or contact lenses.
- The employer will allocate up to 65 cents per hour to the Stabilization Fund.
Union Negotiating Committee: Heather Pultz, Kim Veninga and Union Rep Mona Bailey.
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Hamilton Maple Leaf workers ratify three-year deal
On December 5, 2009, the more than 220 members at Maple Leaf Consumer Foods in Hamilton secured a new collective agreement which includes improvements to wages, benefits and health & safety language. Highlights include:
- Workers receive an initial lump sum payment of $500 for full-time and $250 for part-time.
- Wages increase for all classifications by 30 cents per hour in September 2010, 30 cents per hour in September 2011 and 35 cents per hour in September 2012.
- The employer will increase is contributions to the Canadian Commercial Workers Industry Pension Plan (CCWIPP) Stabilization Fund to 30 cents per hour, up from 10 cents.
- Company contributions to the workers’ dental plan increase to 38 cents per hour effective ratification and to 46 cents per hour as of July 2010.
- Life Insurance and AD&D coverage each increase to $35,000.
- Prescribed Chiropractic care is not covered at 80% to a maximum of $150 per year.
- The tool allowance increases to $350 per year as of September 2010.
- Improved language addresses the right to refuse unsafe work and other health & safety provisions.
Union Negotiating Committee: Chester Chorhzyczewski, Gerry Kirkwood, Tim Robertson, Union Rep Dan Serbin and Central West Director Luc Lacelle.
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Retirement care workers ratify three-year agreement
On December 2, 2009, the 125-member bargaining unit at The Briton House Retirement Home in Toronto secured a number of monetary improvements in a new three-year deal. Highlights include:
- All wages and classifications increase by 1 per cent effective November 2010 and 2 per cent in 2011. In addition, all employees receive a 1 per cent lump sum payment following ratification.
- Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) will receive a shift premium of $1.50 per hour when performing work as a Lead Hand.
- Company contributions toward the workers’ benefit plan increase to $175 per month effective December 2009. This amount increases to $195 in the second year and $212 in the third year.
- Employer contributions toward the workers’ pension plan increase to 75 cents per hour, up from 65 cents, over the duration of the contract.
- The company will contribute 48 cents per hour, up from 46 cents, toward the UFCW Health & Welfare Plan effective December 2009. This amount increases to 50 cents per hour by December 2011.
- Family Day has been added as a paid holiday.
Union Negotiating Committee: Maria DeSumala, Lilia Ferrer, Christine Pascal, Val Spencer and Union Rep Angela Mattioli.
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10,000 retail grocery workers avoid strike with new two-year deal
Members at 75 Metro-owned Ontario grocery stores ratified a two-year deal following two days of voting. The 26-member Union committee met with the company on 26 separate occasions since March of this year, including six days of mediation with a conciliation officer from the Ministry of Labour following strike votes held for members on November 8 and 9.
“The members had given us a strong strike mandate of 95% to take back to the bargaining table,” says Shawn Haggerty, president of Local 175. “That mandate allowed us to achieve a contract for these workers that reflects their hard work.”
The deal includes wage increases of 25 cents per hour for full and part-time end rates in each year of the contract with retroactive pay for all employees of 25 cents per hour paid back to the expiry of the previous contract. A new part-time wage scale allows members to slide into a new progression rate once the new minimum wage is implemented next March. Premiums for night shift and relieving a Head Cashier also improve.
The company will contribute 40 cents per hour toward the Canadian Commercial Workers Industry Pension Plan (CCWIPP) Stabilization Fund in addition to their current contributions to the plan. Members electing early retirement will have vision, medical and drug benefit coverage continue until age 65.
Buy-down and buyout language, which applies to members affected by the closing or conversion of current Metro stores, improves and senior department heads now have the opportunity to step down to fill a full-time job opening. Family Day is added as a paid holiday and bereavement leave improves to provide up to one day of a members’ paid bereavement to be used for an internment at a later date.
Members benefit from a new safety footwear allowance of $75 per year for full-time and $75 per two-year period for part-time.
The bargaining unit is comprised of both Local 175 and Local 633 members who work both full and part-time in Metro-owned stores across the province.
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Members at Aramark Leisureworld ratify negotiated deal
The more than 130 members working at four Aramark Leisureworld locations have a new collective agreement that will see them through the next three years. Members ratified the new deal at a meeting held November 29, 2009. Highlights include:
- Wages increase for each classification by a total of $1.60 per hour over the course of the contract term.
- A new premium provides an additional $1 per hour to Cooks working with no Aramark management staff on-site.
- Life Insurance and AD&D coverage improve to $25,000 each.
- Workers benefit from increases to the drug card benefit maximum, up to $3,000 per year, vision care coverage of $250 per 24-month period and dental increases to $1,500 of coverage.
- Part-time employees may contribute 1 per cent of their annual earnings toward the group RRSP, which the employer will match. Full-time may also contribute 1 per cent, which the employer will match at 1.5 per cent.
- Bereavement leave language improves to include step-parents under immediate family provisions and aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews are now part of one day’s bereavement leave entitlement.
- The employer will contribute $300 in each year of the contract toward the Locals 175 & 633 Training & Education Fund.
- The workers’ safety shoe allowance is now $40 per 12-month period.
Union Negotiating Committee: Sadie Edwards, Sharonne Francis, Sima Kahwajian, Sherona O'Neill and Union Rep Linval Dixon.
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