Bargaining took three rounds of mediation: UFCW
United Food and Commercial Workers union (UFCW) Canada, Local 1518 members working at IGA in Port McNeill, B.C., ratified a new collective agreement on Jan. 5.
The deal comes after a long battle, including three rounds of mediation at the B.C. Labour Relations Board, said the union.
The 60 food-retail employees at IGA rejected the employer’s first offer and took a successful strike vote, according to UFCW.
“Members know what they are worth, and they sent a clear message that they expect to be treated fairly and with respect,” said Patrick Johnson, UFCW 1518 executive assistant.
At a time when wages in the private sector are stagnant, the agreement provides a two per cent wage increase in each year of the four-year deal, retroactive to Oct. 2017, in addition to a $50 gift-card signing bonus. As well, the employer will now match RRSP contributions for two tax years and implement paid funeral leave for stepfamily members, said the union.
“The union was also successful in preventing the employer from adding a third excluded management position, which is an important win,” said Johnson.
UFCW Canada Local 1518 represents more than 20,000 members working in a range of industries across B.C. and Yukon, including the retail food, community health, seasonal agriculture and professional-service sectors.
