Port Colborne JBL members ratify significant wage increases and numerous language improvements
September 28, 2023
The members in Port Colborne employed at Jungbunzlauer (JBL) ratified a three-year agreement on August 29, 2023. All classifications will receive increases of 18% amounting to between $4.65 – $7.04 per hour over the three-year term.
There will be a retention bonus in each year as follows: Year 1 – $1000, Year 2 – $500 and Year 3 – $500. The Packaging employees will all be reclassified to the Packaging Technician position which will help to alleviate call ins for maintenance, and there will be a special wage adjustment of $1.00 per hour for Packaging Employees effective September 4, 2023 over and above the general wage increase.
Benefit improvements include an increase to the short-term disability benefit maximum from $1000 to $1250. Vision care allowance will increase by $150. The per visit cap will be removed and the yearly maximum will be increased to $650.00 for Chiropractor, Physiotherapy and Massage Therapy. The co-pay for drugs will be removed and the employer RRSP match will increase from 2% to 4% in year one.
Other language improvements include:
- Overtime paid after 8 hours in a day or 12 hours in a day based on regular day.
- Maintenance On call – amend from every 3 weeks, to every 4 weeks.
- Maintenance Tool allowance increase from $400 to $650.
- Increase bereavement from three days to five days for parent including legal guardian, brother and sister.
- Time to reach vacation entitlement for the 5th week decreased from 20 years to 18 years.
- Stat Lieu days can be taken at any time up to the end of the year.
- Break up Lieu Day into 2 equal parts.
- Increase milage from 46 cents/km to 61 cents/km.
- Increase Floater days by 1 to 3 total.
- Increase Sick days by 1 to 4 total.
- If a worker is required to work more than two hours past their end time, a meal allowance will be provided at $15.00.
- It will be required to move posted members into the new job class within three months, or they will receive the higher rate of pay.
- Steward to be present during investigatory meetings.
- Limit on agency work up to three months, and workers will pay Union dues.
- Supply Chief Steward with computer, filing cabinet and office space.
- New member orientation of up to 30 minutes paid.
- Double the contributions to the UFCW Training & Education Fund to $800 per year.
Union negotiating committee: Dave Grano, Granco Tamburri, Robert Yellow. Union Representative: Jason Hanley.
See more negotiation updates from the industrial food sector, including beverage production.
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