Members at Olymel ratify
August 10, 2018
430 Members at Olymel (Prince Foods) in Cornwall ratified a renewal contract at meetings held July 3 and 4, 2018.
The agreed-upon settlement contains some significant monetary improvements and addresses a number of issues the members at Olymel wanted to deal with.
New language allows the 15 most senior employees to move to the 1st tier wage scale on July 1 every year. Over the contract term, this will improve wages and progression rate for 90 of the 230 employees on the 2nd tier.
Wages for all employees at end rate go up by a total of $2.60 per hour over the life of the deal. In addition to regular rate increases, forklift drivers hired prior to 2012 receive an initial wage increase of 90 cents per hour. General labourers receive an initial wage increase of between 40 cents and 90 cents per hour as well.
The negotiating committee achieved a significant new attendance bonus for employees. This bonus provides a premium of $1.25 per hour worked during a given month to any employee who misses no more than four hours of work in that month.
A large concern for members was a limited number of vacation slots available for workers to be off at the same time. This contract doubles the number of maintenance employees and forklift drivers that can book vacation, lieu days, or floater days at the same time as other employees in their department. The percentage of employees in other departments who can book vacation at the same time increases to 11%, up from 9%. In addition, employees entitled to more than four weeks’ vacation per year may “sell” a week or more of that entitlement at 120% of its value. Giving employees this choice will also free up some vacation slots as well.
Better health benefit coverage includes massage therapy and enhanced contributions to the dental plan. The premium for the benefit plan increased as a result of a new $250 eye care coverage every 24 months. The employer will pay 100% of that increase to the premiums for the first year.
Other enhancements address paid sick days and seniority-based job postings.
Union Negotiating Committee: Marty O’Connor, Justin Ramsli, Matt Spinella, Louise Summers, Union Rep Joe Tenn, and Region 3 Director, Daniel Mercier.
Don’t forget Labour Day! If you’ll be in the Cornwall area on Monday, September 3, 2018, why not join your Union and the Labour community for a celebration. More info here!
Here are some other recently ratified collective agreements for the Members of UFCW Locals 175 & 633!
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