More vacations, clothing allowance increases highlight deal
United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Canada local 1400 members working at Ardent Mills in Saskatoon, Sask., have overwhelmingly ratified a new collective agreement.
Ardent Mills produces a range of flours and specialty products, most notably under the Robin Hood brand for a variety of industrial, food service and commercial channels. The company is jointly owned by ConAgra Foods, Cargill, and CHS Inc.
The new five-year agreement brings wage increases of three per cent in years one, three, and five, and 2.75 per cent in years two and four. Members will now be able to move through the grid faster, reaching the top rate in three years, instead of four. There has also been a $0.50 per hour increase to the group leader premium, and a $0.25 per hour increase to the supervisor relief and robot operator premiums, according to the union.
Under the new agreement, members will also now receive a fifth week of vacation after 16 years of service and a sixth week after 25 years. There have also been $50 improvements to the safety glass and boot allowances, said the union.
In addition, new contract language has been added regarding the consideration of new training opportunities by seniority. Brother and sister have also now been added to the definition of immediate family in the bereavement clause, according to the union.
