In a deal bringing in massive financial gains and protected cost of living language, UFCW Eastern Provinces Council Local 864 members at Sollio Agriculture in Truro have ratified a new three-year agreement.
Bargaining committee members Don Bourcier and Fred Beazley helped secure a deal for workers to receive a 20.25 per cent wage increase over the course of the contract, including 13.25 per cent in year one, as well as a $500 signing bonus.
Additionally, implementing cost-of-living allowance language based on the consumer price index will allow wages to continue to increase beyond the agreement should inflation continue to skyrocket – a monumental achievement for these members.
Members can also now cash in any of their 10 unused sick days at years end – however, if they are used, an additional 5 sick days paid out at 2/3 the daily rate may also be used.
Other monetary gains include $750 in union education funds, boot allowance up to $250, pension matching up to 5 per cent, as well as a $125 per diem for on-call maintenance workers on top of their hourly wages if called in.
Shift premiums also jumped to $1.00, $1.25 for evening and night shifts respectively, as well as $1.50 for a confined spaces premium.
Finally, two new paid holidays were also added – Nova Scotia Heritage Day and Boxing Day.
Please join us in congratulating our members!
