Members at Pinty’s Port Colborne ratify wage, benefit, and other improvements
October 15, 2026
The membership at Pinty’s (Olymel) in Port Colborne recently secured a new collective agreement with a number of improvements.
A new Letter of Understanding includes provisions for maintenance wage reviews, which was an important achievement for the members. In addition, improved bereavement language now gives members full entitlement regardless of whether family is in the country or not.
Over the term of this collective agreement, members will see wage increases totalling $3.70 per hour. Members in Shipping & Receiving will see an additional wage adjustment of $0.50 per hour.
Shift premiums for afternoons and nights increase to $0.75 per hour, up from $0.55. Employees on an early start live-receiving animal welfare shift, who start work at 3 a.m., are also now eligible for the night premium. The Lead Hand premium improves to $1.75 per hour, up from $1.25, above the rate of the highest-paid employee that person Leads.
New classifications set out in this collective agreement include Certified Evisceration, Housekeeper, Production Support, and Certified Wastewater Operator. The new Certified Evisceration rate will include a premium of $0.50 cents per hour.
Health and welfare coverage improves for a number of benefits. Vision care now covers up to $500 for lenses, up from $400, per 24-month period. Annual coverage for Chiropractic, Massage Therapy, and Physiotherapy care each improve by $50. And dental now covers up to $1,750 per year, up from $1,500, and is set to the 2026 Ontario Dental Association (ODA) fee schedule.
Further improvements ensure that menstrual products will be available in the main office for emergencies, and members now benefit from an improved vacation selection process. The employer further agrees to increase its contributions to the UFCW Local 175 Training & Education Fund to $1,500 per year.
Union Negotiating Committee: Jim Brettell, Al Cloutier, Steve Nickols, and Union Representative Nelson Pereira.
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