Wage increases, new pension part of deal
UFCW Canada Local 1518 members at J & L Beef in Surrey, B.C., have ratified a new five-year collective agreement that includes wage increases, an employer-paid pension plan and more, said the union.
Over the duration of the contract, members at the top rate of every job in each classification will receive a 2.3 per cent wage increase in each year, while members on the wage scales below will receive a two per cent increase annually. All members will receive retroactive pay in terms of wage increases to Sept. 1, 2014, according to the union.
The new collective agreement also includes the addition of a pension plan. Effective March 1, 2017, members will join the UFCW Canada Industry Pension Plan, which will be fully funded by the employer, said the union.
The contract also features improved language regarding overtime work, including a 30-minute paid lunch after three hours of overtime work, which will be paid at double time. The lunch break is in addition to the 15-minute paid break following two hours of overtime, according to UFCW.
