Bluewater Foodland members ratify new agreement

Members of UFCW Local 175 working at Bluewater Foodland achieved a new collective agreement recently.

The Union negotiating committee secured a guarantee for hours of work for the Members at Bluewater Foodland. This provision will limit the employer’s ability to schedule any employee more than six shifts in a row without mutual agreement.

Part-time employees’ wages will go up by 50 cents per hour over the contract term. Full-time employees will see their compensation increase by a total of 3%, through a combination of lump sums and rate increases. The employer will increase its contributions to the employees’ dental plan in 2021.

The contract is now gender-neutral, and language improvements includes recognition for any statutory holidays added by the government. Plus, anti-discrimination and health and safety language have been updated as well.

This includes new Domestic Violence leave provisions and confidentiality assurances.

Bereavement entitlement now includes step-children in the provisions for all employees, as well as delayed internment language. In addition, when bereavement occurs during an employee’s scheduled vacation, that vacation time is protected so that the employee may take it at another time. Pregnancy/parental leave now includes secured seniority. Further language improvements will assist in ensuring that full-time temporary vacancies will be posted and filled in a timely and acceptable manner.

Lastly, the employer agreed to contribute $200 per year toward the UFCW Local 175 Training and Education Fund.

Members ratified the agreement on August 16, 2019. The contract will cover the 75 full and part-time employees at Bluewater Foodland through to August 25, 2022.

Union Negotiating Committee: Bonnie Pries, Julie Roberts, Debra Taylor, Union Servicing Representative Rolando Cabral, and Union Rep Ashleigh Vink.

Catch up on all the negotiation highlights from across the province here.

Plus, learn about the discounts and services, and free training opportunities available to you as a valued Member of the Union.

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