Wage and other improvements in new FreshCo Wentworth agreement

Back to Blog

June 17, 2020

On June 15, 2020, members employed at the FreshCo Wentworth grocery store in Oshawa ratified a new three-year agreement.

The Union negotiating committee worked hard to achieve a number of improvements for the members. Bargaining ended up proceeding to the conciliation process to address the employer’s proposal of a wage freeze and other monetary issues.

The resulting agreement contains a number of improvements. In addition to wage increases, the agreement outlines better language regarding new Stewards, bereavement, vacation, and schedules.

Full-time employees will see an immediate raise of 40 cents per hour. That amount will be paid retroactively for hours worked since the expiry of the previous agreement. Part-time employees will see 25 cents per hour in year one, 45 cents per hour in year two, and 25 cents per hour in year three. In addition, part-time employees will receive lump sum payments of between $50 and $250 based on their weekly hours.

The shift premium paid to FreshCo Wentworth employees working in the Cash Office improves to 80 cents per hour, up from 50. All employees will receive a one-time $50 gift card as well.

Vision coverage improves to provide $200, up from $150, toward prescription eyewear. Employees can now take up to three consecutive days, up from two, for bereavement leave. The co-pay for the full-time employees’ benefit plan will improve from 50-50 to 65% employer-paid and 35% employee paid.

Lastly, the employer agreed to contribute $500 to the UFCW Locals 175 & 633 Training & Education Fund.

The collective agreement protects the working conditions for the 11 full-time and 44 part-time employees at the FreshCo Wentworth store in Oshawa.

Union Negotiating Committee: Linda Moher, Sharon Nadeau, and Union Rep Christina Mayberry.


Want to read more news from the Retail Grocery sector? Click here.

Make sure you’re following us on social media! Find us on FacebookInstagram, and Twitter!

Plus, you can also sign up to receive monthly e-newsletters from Your Union.

Share