RxDM members ratify province-wide agreement

On October 22, 2026, more than 280 UFCW Local 175 members working at RxDM stores in locations across Ontario ratified a new three-year collective agreement.

All employees will see wage improvements over the term of the agreement.

• Most employees benefit from a Minimum Wage Plus (MW+) grid that ensures their rates go up with increases to the provincial minimum wage. In addition, part-time employees will benefit from enhanced scheduling language.
• Clerks, Drivers, Pharmacy Assistants and Technicians, and certain Nurse job classes at end rate and those above end rate receive increases of 3% as of the date of ratification, then again in February 2027 and February 2028.
• Pharmacy Technicians on the wage grid receive increases totalling up to $2.15 per hour, and Pharmacy Technicians at end rate receive increases totalling $3.25 per hour.
• All employees at end rate or above receive a signing bonus of $1,000 for full-time and $750 for part-time.
• All employees on the grid receive a signing bonus of $750 for full-time and $500 for part-time.

The ratified agreement at RxDM includes a number of improvements to the members’ health and welfare plan as well, which will take effect on January 1, 2027.

• Full-time employees can expect an increase to their vision care coverage to $250, up from $200, on the Classic Plan, and to $400, up from $300, for the Enhanced Plan. In addition, full-timers will see their eye exams under both plans covered to $200, up from $160.
• The part-time employees’ Optical Plan will provide coverage of $350, up from $300, while their eye exam coverage will be $100, up from $75.
• A new drug plan will take effect on January 1, 2027, for part-time employees who have five years or more of service, and who worked 600 hours in the previous calendar year.

Full-time employees with five years of continuous service will receive two paid personal holidays per year, up from one. In addition, paid vacation entitlement improves to provide seven weeks at 14% vacation pay, up from six weeks at 12%, for those with 30 years or more of continuous service. Part-time will also see vacation pay improve to 14%, up from 12%, for those with 30 years of continuous service.

Union Negotiating Committee: Shannon Brody #5016, Joni Marinich #5061, Rebecca McCullough-Collins #5004, Allyson Pulente #5062, Jessi Wilkins #5010, and Regional Director Matt Davenport.

Working people are finding a new Union home with UFCW Locals 175 & 633! Find out why here.

Read Checkout magazine and dive deep into the archives online!