The Importance of Reading your Collective Agreement

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September 10, 2024

Reading the collective agreement is essential for all unionized workers. It spells out workers’ rights‚ and outlines the terms and conditions of employment between the employer and the workers.

The importance of reading your collective agreement

Reading the collective agreement will help you to know and understand information such as: ⁠

𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀: The collective agreement details your rights as an employee, including job security and the grievance procedure. ⁠

𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: It provides the detailed information on wages, overtime pay, and other forms of compensation such as shift premiums. The agreement will also include information about any health and welfare benefits you have, your pension, vacation entitlement, sick leave and other benefits.⁠

𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀: The agreement may include the policies of the workplace including health & safety provisions, harassment policy and other important issues. ⁠

𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆: Provisions related to layoffs, transfers, promotions, and job classifications are outlined in the collective agreement. Unionized employees are also protected by Just Cause when facing termination.⁠

𝗚𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗽𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀: The agreement will cover the details of the grievance procedure for resolving disputes including the arbitration processes. Understanding these processes is crucial if you need to address any workplace issues or conflicts.⁠

Do you need a copy of your collective agreement? Ask a steward at your work location, contact your union representative or email us at membership@ufcw175.com ⁠


Find out more about Just Cause ProtectionSalary Stability, and more.

Are you ready to find out more and want to talk to one of our Organizers? Send them an email at organizing@ufcw175.com or give them a call at 1-800-565-8329. All your conversations with our Organizers are confidential.

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