Fairlife members ratify important improvements

Following a tough round of bargaining, the members of UFCW Local 175 at Fairlife in Peterborough have secured a new collective agreement, which was ratified in early October.

The Union Negotiating Committee faced some challenges at the bargaining table and sought the assistance of a Ministry of Labour Conciliation officer to address wages, sick days, and pension proposals.

The ratified agreement contains several important improvements sought by the members. Language regarding timelines on issuing discipline and having a Steward present at discipline meetings has improved, as has Return-to-Work language. Stewards are now ensured 30 minutes to meet with newly hired employees so they can introduce them to the Union and their collective agreement.

Further, the agreement contains maintenance wage adjustment language and an increase to life insurance, bringing the members to $100,000 in coverage. Members can now participate in the KO (Coca-Cola) Shares program, which has a matching contribution rate of $2,000 USD effective January 1, 2027.

• Wages will improve by a total of $5.25 per hour over the life of the agreement.
• The night shift premium, which all members receive under continental rotation, improves to $1.15 per hour up from $1.
• Members will benefit from improvements to sick days which now pay out at 80% of 12 hours, instead of the previous eight hours, as well as improved overtime language and an additional floater day.

Other health and welfare benefits improve to provide enhanced vision care coverage of $400, up from $300, per 24-month period. Psychotherapy is now covered in their benefits, as is enhanced fertility health and virtual physiotherapy coverage. Maternity/parental leave now provides leave paid at 100% for eight weeks.

The employer will cover costs associated with acquiring ticketing/licenses for Maintenance employees. The safety boot allowance improves to $225 per year, up from $200, and the employer will contribute an additional $250 to the UFCW Local 175 Training & Education Fund.

Union Negotiating Committee: Jessica Abrams, Anita Chapple, Marc Duquette, and Union Representative Ricardo Boganegra.

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