New agreement for Cornwall Comfort Inn members
February 28, 2018
Hospitality workers at the Comfort Inn in Cornwall achieved a new collective agreement at a vote held February 26, 2018.
The ratified deal covers 25 full and part-time employees at the hotel. Bargaining required conciliation to deal with several issues. These included: wages, benefit premiums, and bargaining unit work.
The Union negotiating committee secured a new wage grid. This grid provides rates at minimum wage plus, to ensure hourly pay stays ahead of minimum wage increases. Depending on years of service, this adjustment amounts to between 5 and 25 cents per hour retroactive for hours worked since January 1, 2018. Maintenance and House Person classifications receive a new shoe allowance of up to $50 per year.
New language provides Stewards with 15 minutes paid time to introduce new employees to their Union and collective agreement. In addition, Stewards will receive two paid days of Union-related training per two-year period.
Bereavement entitlement improves to provide five days of leave, up from three, for the death of an immediate family member. Vacation language now permits employees to request one week of their entitlement to commence mid-week for travel purposes.
Other language improvements address Union Representation, employer-paid Health & Safety training, shift cancellation and emergency leave. The contract will also recognize any future statutory holiday proclaimed by the government as a paid holiday for employees.
In addition, the employer agreed to deduct contributions to the UFCW Leukemia Research Fund from the pay of any employee who chooses to participate in the program. The enrollment form for the program will be presented to all new employees as well.
Union Negotiating Committee: Muriel Allen, Kathy Sauvé, and Union Rep Lionel MacEachern.
Interested in reading about more negotiations in the hospitality sector at UFCW 175? Click here.