Salary structure tied to minimum wage scale: UFCW
United Food and Commercial Workers Canada (UFCW), Local 1518 members working at the Kootenay Market in Elkford, B.C. achieved a new agreement on Jan. 11 that includes wage increases.
The 22 employees voted in favour of a new five-year deal that brings the starting wage up from $12 an hour to $13.60 an hour. The new contract also includes a minimum wage spread that is tied to the provincial minimum wage, distributing the benefits of a rising minimum wage across the wage scale while allowing the collective agreement to be responsive to legislative changes, said the union.
“We finally have a progressive government in B.C. which understands that working people need to make a decent living in order to foster a productive economy,” said Ivan Limpright, UFCW Canada Local 1518 president. “The minimum wage is going up, there’s no doubt. So it’s good to see employers like Kootenay Market being proactive. It will enable them to remain competitive in attracting and retaining experienced workers.”
Kootenay Market features hardware and soft goods along with grocery, deli, and bakery products.
UFCW Canada Local 1518 represents more than 20,000 workers in a diverse range of industries, including retail food, industrial food processing, community health, seasonal agriculture and professional services.
