Direct Coil members achieve first agreement
April 10, 2019
On April 6, 2019, employees at Direct Coil achieved their very first agreement as Union members with UFCW Local 175.
The three-year contract covers 80 full-time employees at the Direct Coil facility in Kingston.
The Union negotiating committee achieved raises of 1.5% in each year for all Direct Coil employees. Plus, shift premiums improve to 60 cents per hour for afternoons, and $1 per hour for midnights. In addition, a new training premium pays 75 cents per hour on top of an employee’s regular wage for all hours worked while providing training.
Overtime will be paid after 42 hours per week in the first year of the agreement. Starting in year two, employees will receive overtime pay after 40 hours per week.
A new RRSP will see the company match employee contributions of 50 cents per hour for a total contribution rate of $1 per hour worked. The employees maintained their benefits and added an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to the plan.
A grievance and arbitration procedure contained in the agreement will provide these new members with a strong voice in the workplace, and assist them in dealing with issues, such as health and safety concerns, and more.
This first agreement includes a number of other provisions, including:
- Seniority rights for layoff, recall, and job postings,
- Seniority-based shift preference for those with seven years of service or more,
- A sunset clause for discipline on file,
- Union Steward training leaves of absence,
- Paid bereavement of up to five days,
- Enhanced layoff notice, and;
- A safety boot allowance.
Union Negotiating Committee: Ian Allen, Jason Cook, and Union Rep Paul Hardwick.
The members at Direct Coil joined UFCW Local 175 in May 2018 after a three-month campaign. Read more about why they joined here.
Find more UFCW Locals 175 & 633 negotiation updates here.