SYDNEY, NS,
May 15,
2024 /CNW/ - Unifor members at the Sobeys store in
Sydney, N.S. ratified a new
collective agreement that continues the union's pattern of
achieving record wage gains in the grocery sector.
"Unifor has made significant gains at bargaining tables with the
three grocery giants because of the strength and solidarity of
thousands of workers fighting together to bring good supermarket
jobs back," said Unifor National President Lana Payne. "I send my congratulations to the
bargaining committee at Sobeys Sydney and to every Unifor grocery
worker who took a stand to demand better pay from these highly
profitable corporations."
The five-year agreement sees full-time clerks receiving an
additional $3.63 to $3.79 per hour on the end rate of pay over the
lifetime of the contract, signing bonuses of $2,000 upon ratification and another $1,000 bonus in October
2024.
The bargaining committee recognized the need to improve wages
for part-time workers, who make up the significant majority of
workers in the store, and the agreement sees their wages rise by
$4.89 per hour on the end rate of pay
over the life of the contract, with a $500 bonus upon ratification and $500 in October
2024. Part-time workers in scale will also be credited with
2,000 hours worked on the scale effective at ratification,
providing members with a significantly faster path to the end rate
of pay.
"The members at the Sydney Sobeys store saw how important it was
to bring part-timers more hourly income and achieving that is a
testament to their sense of community and solidarity," said
Atlantic Regional Director Jennifer
Murray. "We're proud to see Unifor's grocery bargaining
strategy deliver results for members."
Other improvements include an annual employer contribution to
the Unifor Paid Education Leave Program (PEL) that supports member
education and training, and a commitment from the employer to
maintain an increased number of full-time positions at the
store.
Unifor represents 119 members at the Sobeys on Main Street in
Sydney, Cape Breton.
Unifor is Canada's largest
union in the private sector and represents 315,000 workers in every
major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working
people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in
Canada and abroad, and strives to
create progressive change for a better future.
SOURCE Unifor