La Rocca Creative Cakes members secure new agreement
March 5, 2019
During this round of bargaining, the parties entered into conciliation to deal with a number of concerns the workers had. This included wages, benefits, and the use of agency and temporary workers at La Rocca.
With the assistance of the conciliation officer, the resulting agreement includes language to hire existing agency employees to create 20 new permanent full-time jobs which will be covered under the collective agreement.
In each of the three years covered by the contract, the workers will see raises of 1.85% across all classifications. Members receive retroactive pay for hours worked since July 1, 2018, which will be paid within two weeks of ratification. All red-circled employees will receive a $500 lump sum in each year.
The members’ show allowance improves to $125, up from $100, and to $150 for drivers. The laundry allowance for drivers increases to $75, up from $50, as well.
Vision care coverage will now provide $210, instead of $200, every 24 months. Dental coverage maximum improves to $1,100 per year, up from $1,000. In addition, the plan will progress to provide coverage laid out in the 2017 Ontario Dental Association (ODA) fee guide, instead of the 2014 fee guide they used previously. Members will receive any outstanding vacation money owed to them paid out by the employer in December on a separate cheque.
Lastly, new language provides special shift consideration for those members who are taking part in continuing education studies.
The agreement, which covers 200 full-time employees at the La Rocca Creative Cakes Richmond Hill facility, was ratified on March 2, 2019.
Union Negotiating Committee: Manuel Aragon, Mario Francomano, Mark Ma, Kumar Subramaniam, and Union Rep Orsola Augurusa.
Read more negotiation updates from members who have ratified new collective agreements recently!
Plus, find out more about some of the other Bakery workers represented by UFCW Local 175.
https://ufcw175.com/2018/08/15/ace-bakery-first-agreement/
https://ufcw175.com/2019/02/20/silversteins-bakery-members-receive-long-awaited-severance/