Johnson’s Independent ratifies
March 21, 2025
Johnson’s Independent ratifies wage increases, achieves a benefit plan for part-time workers, and merges two agreements for more bargaining power.
The retail workers at Johnson’s Independent grocer in Timmins ratified a four-year agreement on March 14, 2025. Wages will increase for full-time workers at end rate: Date of ratification – $1.60, Year 1 – $0.75, Year 2 – $0.70, Year 3 – $0.70, and Year 4 – $0.45. Part-time end rates will increase: Date of ratification – $0.85, Year 1 – $0.50, Year 2 – $0.45, Year 3 – $0.40, and Year 4 – $0.35.
The members will also receive a signing bonus on ratification of: full-time $1750, part-time at end rate $700, part-time in the grid $250, and part-time students in the grid $100.
In this round of bargaining, we were successful in achieving benefit coverage for part-time workers. Single coverage will be paid by the employee at 20% and dependent coverage at 50%.
Bereavement leave will improve from 4 to 5 days for immediate family, for all workers.
With the successful ratification of this collective agreement, Johnson’s Independent in Timmins will move to a two-store agreement with Larabie’s Independent located in Kapuskasing who ratified their agreement last year.
The merger of these two stores into one agreement will allow both stores more bargaining power, and this agreement includes some new improvements for the members at Larabie’s, which includes part-time benefits, a floater day for full-time, and a $0.25 increase to the night shift premium.
Union negotiating committee: Linda Grenon, Nancy Larose, and Ronald Whibley. Union representatives Jeff Barry and Michael Bernier.
Catch up on all the negotiation highlights from across the province here.
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