Bargaining unit grows by 50 members as Orillia Christian Centre members ratify

The members at Orillia Christian Centre had a number of priorities with this round of bargaining including wages and language improvements.

Start rates will improve by 4.7% in year one, 2.7% in year two, and another 2.7% in year three. Upon the completion of probation, members receive an additional 70 cents per hour added to their rate. In addition, members will receive an extra 25 cents per hour added to their rates after two, four, and six years of service.

The Union Negotiating Committee successfully had a previous Letter of Understanding (LOU), which prevented salaried employees from belonging to the bargaining unit, eliminated. As a result, the scope of this collective agreement now includes 50 additional members who now also benefit from UFCW representation.

The new agreement includes a ‘no discrimination or harassment’ policy, as well as improved shift exchange provisions and vacation language.

With the growth in the size of the bargaining unit, members now benefit from an additional Union Steward. Improved language provides 15 minutes for Stewards to meet new members and requires Steward representation at discipline meetings. In addition, the Committee achieved improved timeliness for the grievance procedure, a no time limits letter, and improved Union security language.

Sick days have been converted to Wellness days and members can now take them in four-hour increments. Full-time entitlement is 48 paid and 40 unpaid hours. Part-time receive 40 paid and 40 unpaid hours. And Relief workers receive 40 unpaid hours. Other improvements includes that the employer will now make menstrual products available to all employees at no cost.

Vacation entitlement now provides three weeks’ after three years for full-time, and 6% after three years for part-time who can now also accrue vacation.

Further language improvements address:

• bereavement entitlement,
• overtime,
• breaks,
• paid holidays,
• additional funding,
• closure/layoff provisions, and;
• the employer will contribute $250 per year toward the UFCW Local 175 Training & Education Fund.

Union Negotiating Committee: Bernadine Veldman and Union Representative Ricardo Bocanegra.

Catch up on negotiation highlights from across the province here.

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