Wilfrid Laurier members ratify

On February 4, 2019, the members of UFCW Local 175 employed at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo achieved a new three-year agreement.

To reach this agreement, the parties met in conciliation to deal with issues that arose out of Bill 148 and its subsequent repeal.

In the new agreement, the Union negotiating committee achieved a guarantee from the employer to maintain a minimum of 40 full-time positions for the term of the contract. An important improvement now provides employees with 48 hours notice of shift cancellation. Before, the employer only had to give three hours’ notice. In addition, any employees who does not receive 48 hours’ notice will receive four hours of pay.

Base rate wages will improve by 1.25% in each year of the agreement, with the first raise retroactive for hours worked since August 1, 2018. In addition, some classifications will receive a market adjustment increase to attract and retain skilled employees. Employees will receive an improved allowance of $175 per year, up from $125, for the purchase of non-slip shoes.

Part-time employees at Wilfrid Laurier will benefit from improved sick leave of up to four days (32 hours) per year, instead of the previous pro-rated accrual system.

Seniority will now determine overtime on statutory holidays as well as shift preference when the employer calls workers in. Lastly, the employer will contribute $1,000 per year toward the UFCW Local 175 Training & Education Fund.

The current bargaining unit at the Wilfrid Laurier campus is comprised of 42 full-time and 57 part-time workers.

Union Negotiating Committee: Chief Steward Mat Campbell, Megan Dyksterhuis, Viana Sanders, and Union Rep Jason Hanley.

You can see recent negotiations updates from across all of our sectors here.

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