Dr. Oetker members ratify first Union contract
January 24, 2019
Congratulations to employees at Dr. Oetker in London, who just achieved their first collective agreement as members of UFCW Local 175.
After meeting in conciliation with a Ministry of Labour (MOL) officer, the parties reached an agreement that dealt with a number of significant issues the workers at Dr. Oetker wanted addressed. The Union negotiating committee achieved significant language providing for a 12-hour continental work week.
The three-year contract includes increases of 60 cents per hour across the board, including Maintenance, in each year of the three-year term. The first raise is retroactive for hours worked since January 1. Sanitation employees receive an initial retroactive increase of $1 per hour. Plus, they also receive the two 60-cent per-hour increases in years two and three.
As of ratification, employees with less than one year of service receive a lump sum payment of $500. Those employees with more than one year of service will receive $600. Shift premium improvements provide an additional 10 cents per hour, to reach a rate of 60 cents, for hours worked between 1 p.m. and 10 p.m. Employees working nights, between 10 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., will receive an hourly premium of 80 cents, up from 70 cents.
Effective January 1, 2020, the employer will pay 100% of the premiums for the workers’ group health and dental plan.
Plus, as of January 1, 2021, the employer will also pay the total premium to cover AD&D and Life Insurance.
Other improvements provide an increased boot allowance of $150 per year, plus $500 annually for maintenance tools. Bereavement leave now provides three days, instead of one, for the death of a grandparent, grandchild, aunt, or uncle.
The ratification vote took place on January 13, 2019.
Thank you to the Union members who assisted Union Rep Sam Caetano as part of the Negotiating Committee: Bryce Doiron, Corey Frew, and William Herron.
Employees at Dr. Oetker voted to join our Union last summer! Read more about why these workers took a stand and voted yes to gain the benefits of being Union.