Blenheim, Ont. (201 manufacturing employees) and Unifor, Local 127
Renewal agreement: Effective Dec. 1, 2020 to Nov. 30, 2024. Ratified in December 2020. Signed on Dec. 1, 2020.
Wage adjustments:
Effective Dec. 1, 2020: 6.7%
Effective Dec. 1, 2021: 2.4%
Effective Dec. 1, 2022: 2.3%
Effective Dec. 1, 2023: 3%
Shift premium: $0.40 per hour for employees on second shift (3:30 p.m. to 12 a.m.). $0.80 per hour for employees on third shift (11 p.m. to 7 a.m.). $2 for all hours paid for mechanical trades. $0.75 cents highest rate of classification lead for all hours worked in those roles for lead-hands, water strides. Operators functioning as shipper/receivers and cycle counters receive $0.75 per hour; $0.50 per hour for functioning as chemical handlers; $0.50 per hour for all hours worked as labeler. Trainers, if required to operate plant efficiently, receive $0.50 per hour. Plant chairperson paid 1.3 times rate of highest rate in plant, excluding skilled trades.
Paid holidays: 9 days plus 4 floater holidays during Christmas holiday period.
Vacations with pay: Employment standards minimum to start, 2 weeks after 1 year, 3 weeks after 5 years, 4 weeks after 10 years.
Overtime: Time and one-half for hours worked in excess of 8 in normal workday and all hours worked on Saturday. Double time for all work performed on paid holidays (including floater days).
Medical benefits: Employer pays 100% of premiums for extended health care benefits for employees and their eligible dependents. Employer will provide annual health care spending account of $200 for single coverage; $400 for family coverage, plus $10 per year of service maximum 10 years.
Dental: Employer pays 100% of premiums for 90% basic dental care coverage and 50% major restorative services.
Vision: Employer pays 100% of premiums for vision care coverage. Coverage of $250 in any 24-month period.
Paramedical: $50 per visit up to combined total limit of $1,500 per year for services of chiropractor, chiropodist, massage therapist, acupuncturist, physical therapist, psychologist, naturopath.
Weekly indemnity: Employer pays 100% of premiums for regular employees for 66 2/3% of basic weekly wage up to 39 weeks.
Sick leave: No limit but not paid. Certificate showing fitness to work required for reinstatement after sick leave.
Life insurance: Employer pays 100% of premiums for group life insurance for regular employees. Coverage of $28,000.
Pension: Employer pays monthly sum and matches employee contributions up to 5% of base earnings into DC pension plan.
Bereavement leave: 5 paid days for death of spouse or same-sex partner, parent, child, sibling, stepchild, stepparent, stepsibling, half-sibling, grandchild. 3 paid days for death of grandparent, stepparent, biological child’s parent, sibling-in-law, parent-in-law, grandparent-in-law. Employees unable to attend funeral of immediate family member will be granted 1 paid day.
Seniority – recall rights: Lesser of employee’s length of seniority or 48 months.
Call-in pay: Minimum 4 hours’ pay if called back to work after leaving.
Probationary period: 480 hours worked within 12-consecutive-month period.
Discipline: Sunset clause is 12 months for disciplinary actions given.
Safety shoes: $240 every 24 months for employees required to wear safety shoes or boots. Second allowance in 24-month period if footwear is rendered unsafe from abnormal wear and tear from work duties. $350 every 24 months for skilled trades and mould mechanic employees.
Uniforms/clothing: Skilled trades and mould mechanics will receive coveralls. Conventional lead-hands will receive pants.
Tool allowance: $650 per year to all maintenance and mould mechanic employees.
Sample rates of hourly pay (current, after 7.7% increase):
FIP operators/production assembler/foam operator (start): $15.95 rising in 3 steps to $17.20
FIP operators, production assembler/foam operator (full rate): $18.50 rising in 3 steps to $19.75
Electricians/mechanics: $30 rising in 3 steps to $31.25
Mould mechanic: $21.50 rising in 3 steps to $22.75
Editor’s notes: Paid educational leave: Employer pays $0.04 per hour per employee into special fund to provide paid educational leave to upgrade employee skills. Safety glasses: Employer provides safety glasses where required and will cover 100% of cost of prescription CSA-approved safety glasses every 12 months. Prescription safety glasses damaged on job (severely spotted glasses included) will be replaced by employer. Hearing aids: $500 in 3 calendar years. Social justice fund: Employer will provide $1,000 per year to Unifor Social Justice Fund.
