Wage increases for workers, expands leave allowances
Unifor members of Local 597 at Dominion stores across Newfoundland and Labrador have ratified a new three-year collective agreement by 84 per cent.
The deal includes annual wage increases for full and part-time employees, benefit improvements and scheduling enhancements among other gains, according to the union.
"This is a good deal for Dominion workers, and still among the best for unionized retail workers in the province," said Keith Osborne, Unifor director of retail.
Senior full-time and part-time workers will receive a $1 per hour pay increase over the life of the agreement and they will receive as high as a 7 per cent wage increase for some members. Junior part-time workers will also receive negotiated pay increases in each year of the agreement, in addition to previously negotiated pay hikes based on seniority and hours worked, according to the union.
The new agreement also reduces the number of qualifying hours part-time workers need to receive health benefits, provides part-time students the ability to apply for leaves of absence that cover the entire academic year (instead of one semester), offers greater flexibility for full-time workers to apply for new job openings, expands bereavement leave and commits the company to create new full-time jobs within one month of ratification, according to the union.
The union also successfully negotiated a women's advocate position, a trained union member who is made available to assist women facing situations of domestic violence and abuse, and to connect them with community and workplace resources.
The new agreement will expire in April 2019.
