Negotiation Updates Over 11,000 members at 63 Zehrs and Loblaws GFS and Real Canadian Superstores ratify substantial improvements in new agreement
Background The Union had filed grievances with the employer to protect members' rights with regard to how changes in Bill 148, introduced in 2017, affected the agreement in terms of minimum wage and Paid Emergency Leave days. As a result, rates of pay increased for part-time end-rated employees at RCSS and GFS stores. At the same time, UFCW Local 1006A pursued similar grievances to the arbitration stage. As the parties moved slowly through arbitration, and with some direction from the arbitrator, UFCW 1006A agreed to begin talks with the employer to amend their agreement. Ultimately, Loblaws and Local 1006A reached an agreement which their members ratified in November 2019. The employer then approached our Local Union to discuss amend8
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ments to the existing agreement, which was set to expire on July 1, 2021. The Union made the decision, which your Loblaw Union Executive Board endorsed, to go ahead with similar discussions to achieve good improvements for the membership. A posting went to all affected stores in November notifying members of these talks. The Union met with the employer over a number of days in the last several months and came to a recommended settlement. The Loblaw Union Executive Board reviewed and endorsed the agreement. Because of these early talks, the Union was able to secure millions of dollars in improvements that go beyond what was provided for in the existing agreement. In addition, the Union achieved further improvements for members that will roll out over the three-year extension. The new agreement now expires on July 1, 2024.
