•Kelly Tosato elected as President of Local 175
•Jim McLean elected as SecretaryTreasurer of Local 175
• 2024-2027 Executive Board
sworn into office page 6
•Welcoming New Members page 11
•Negotiation Updates page 12
•RSI Day and the National Day of Mourning pages 17-18
• Outstanding Achievement Awards page 20
Your UFCW Locals 175 & 633 Executive Board is made up of members elected by the membership to sit as Vice Presidents (VPs). These elected members provide valuable guidance, insight, and input to the Local Union leadership.
For Local 175, there are 45 Vice President positions plus your President, Secretary-Treasurer, and Recorder. The province is divided into Central, Eastern, Northern, and Western geographical regions, and further divided into three major sectors:
• Retail & Service - Representing our members who have jobs where there is a retail aspect to the work and where members often interact directly with customers. This includes: grocery, pharmacy, cannabis, car rental agencies, hospitality, and more.
• Health, Office, and Professional Employees (HOPE) - Representing our members in a variety of professional designations including healthcare, addiction treatment, social work, community organizations, and more.
• Industrial, Meat, and Poultry - Representing our members in manufacturing, food production, packaging, and throughout the beef, pork, and poultry processing sectors.
Local 633 is comprised of members classified as Meat Cutters, which is a professional designation recognized in a number of workplaces. Local 633 has its own President, Secretary-Treasurer, and Recorder, as well as three Vice President positions on its Board.
Your Vice Presidents attend five regular Executive Board meetings a year, and participate on various committees that discuss topics relevant to the membership.
Go to page 6 to see who is on your 2024 - 2027 UFCW Locals 175 & 633 Executive Board.
TOGETHER WE WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Help Us Raise the Standard for All Workers!
For full details visit ufcw175.com/honorarium or call our Organizers at 1-800-565-8329
*Some restrictions apply.
If you are a Member of the Union and UFCW Locals 175 & 633 organizes and certifies a group of workers because of a lead you provide to the Organizing Department, you will be eligible for an honorarium of up to $1,000*!
Jim McLean Recorder Karen Vaughan Executive Assistants Chris Fuller
Lee Johnson-Koehn
HOPE SECTOR
Director, Long-Term Care & Retirement: Sandra Ashcroft; Union Representatives: Ayesha Jabbar, Todd Janes, Derek Jokhu, Dean McLaren, Steve Springall
Director, Community Care: Mike Mattioli; Union Representatives: Nabeela Irfan, Sabrina Qadir, Meemee Seto, Hodan Wais
REGION 1 Director: Tracy Stubbs; Union Representative: Alex Stubbs
REGION 2 Director: Jason Hanley; Union Representatives: Chris Bernardi, Ricardo Bocanegra, Amanda De Melo, Sacha Edey, Christina Mayberry, Amy Tran
REGION 3 Director: Paul Hardwick; Union Representatives: Sean Carroll, Shannon Epp, Kimberly Hunter, Joe Tenn; Servicing Representative: Damian Hulshof
REGION 4 Director: John DiNardo; Union Representative: Jennifer Hanley; Servicing Representatives: Fatima Butt, Nunzio Cannistraci, Art Gier, Dawn Hanlon, Shirley Hepditch, Maxine Prince
REGION 5 Director: Jehan Ahamed; Union Representatives: Arlene Robertson, Mario Tardelli; Servicing Representative: Kelly Dick,
REGION 6 Director: Sam Caetano; Union Representatives: Dave Forbes, Chris Mayberry, Nelson Pereira, Melody Slattery, Navidad Talbot, Fred Teeple
REGION 7 Director: Jehan Ahamed; Union Representative: John Beaton; Servicing Representatives: Julie Jodoin, Skip Pavlick, Michael Windley
REGION 8 Director: Derik McArthur; Union Representatives: Jeff Barry, Michael Bernier, Richard Eberhardt, Jim Hames
WORKERS’ COMPENSATION Workers’ Compensation Coordinator: Sarah Neath; Workers’ Compensation Intake Representative: Georgina MacDonald; Workers’ Compensation Representatives: Joanne Ford, Ashley Hunt, Courtney Salomons
PAY EQUITY Coordinator: Matt Davenport; Pay Equity Representative: Orsola Augurusa
HEALTH & SAFETY Director: Kelly Nicholas; Health & Safety Representative: Donna Rhodes
LEGAL Director: Jane Mulkewich; Paralegal: Gord Steinberg; Counsel: Christopher Jagodits, Matthew Jagodits, Ambar Reyes, Brandon Rodrigues
ORGANIZING Director: Tony Nigro; Organizing Representatives: Joce Cote, Tim Hum, Jeffery Lu, Casey Magee
TRAINING & EDUCATION Director: Kelly
Nicholas; Servicing Representative: Teresa Wilson;
COMMUNICATIONS Coordinator: Jennifer
Tunney; Communications Representatives: Laurie
Duncan, Ashleigh Vink
COORDINATOR Wei Chen
On February 27, 2024, anti-scab legislation (Bill C-58) passed its second reading in the House of Commons. This legislation will make it illegal for employers to use replacement scab workers to do the work of unionized employees in federally regulated industries during strikes and lockouts. The Bill also includes fines of up to $100,000 per day for employers who violate the law.
Allowing scab workers remains a major barrier to improving workers’ rights in Ontario and in most provinces: only Québec and British Columbia have anti-scab legislation at the provincial level.
Scab labour undermines the collective bargaining rights of workers who are at the point of strike or lockout and who are already clearly fighting for a fair agreement. Bill C-58 is a step in the right direction toward building better labour laws that respect workers and their contributions in this country, but we still have a long way to go in Ontario.
On February 28, Bill C-64, the Pharmacare Act, finally put the first phase of a national universal pharmacare plan into action. This marks the largest expansion
of Canada’s public healthcare system in decades.
As the cost of medications rises and with many companies not willing to provide health benefits, especially to part-time and temporary workers, this legislation is a vital step to improving the lives of many. This first phase includes coverage for contraceptives and diabetes medications and supplies, which will help millions by improving reproductive autonomy and reducing the risk of health complications from untreated diabetes.
Too many of our inadequate labour laws have working people deciding between extremes and, too often, making those decisions out of desperation. Do I cross a picket line to earn a paycheque? Or respect the picket line and lose out on potential income? Do I take my medication as prescribed or space it out to make it more affordable?
These “choices” are a direct result of government policies that have failed working people.
And a direct result of those failures is that people suffer. Workers’ rights suffer. Our healthcare and other social support systems inevitably – and predictably –
suffer. All because of issues that could have been prevented with even the slightest bit of foresight and care for people.
And we know these changes don’t happen without consistent pressure and hard-fought activism. Your Union will continue to push all levels of government to recognize and respect the contributions and lives of working people.
I want to end my message by telling you how proud I am to be your new President. I am honoured to be among the first women to lead a Local Union of this size and I take this responsibility seriously. I am fully committed to continuing the work of building inclusivity, growing our Local Union through organizing, negotiating the best collective agreements, and supporting and defending our members' rights.
Thank you to the Executive Board for your confidence and your continued guidance. And thank you to all of our members for your ongoing support throughout the years.
In Solidarity, Kelly Tosato president@ufcw175.com
In February, the Court of Appeal rejected the Ford Conservatives’ appeal of a 2022 ruling that found Bill 124 to be unconstitutional.
The Court recognized that Bill 124 prevented workers, “many of whom are women, racialized and/or low-income earners,” from having the ability to negotiate for better compensation or even better working conditions.
This legislation severely limited the bargaining ability of our members in many workplaces.
Since March 2020, your Union has been part of a coalition fighting back against the legislation which effectively capped wages for many of our members and interfered with their right to bargain collectively. This coalition ultimately brought about the successful court challenge that struck down the anti-constitutional legislation.
The 2022 decision that struck down the legislation found that the Bill was contrary to section 2(d) of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms; the freedom to associate.
And on February 23, following its loss at the Court of Appeal, and much to the celebration
of labour activists across the province, the Ford government repealed its own legislation.
Recently, a number of companies in the United States have taken up legal proceedings against the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for that country. Trader Joe’s, Starbucks, SpaceX, and Amazon, and are all similarly claiming that the structure of the NLRB is unconstitutional.
Those same companies are also all, coincidentally, facing various charges from the NLRB. Those charges include retaliating against employees for union activity for Amazon and Trader Joe's; firing workers who criticized Elon Musk at SpaceX, and; Starbucks is challenging the requirement to reinstate employees fired during an organizing campaign.
And while these particular cases are in the U.S., there is no doubt that many employers and politicians within our borders will be watching closely.
It is clear that the constant battle to ensure that workers’ rights are upheld and respected is not going away any time soon. We see it happening across the border and we definitely see it here in our
own province and country. After all, Bill 124 was an outright attack on public sector workers and their rights.
Our adversaries may be wellfunded to the tune of billions of dollars, and no doubt they will have the ear of many politicians, but no matter what opponent we’re up against, your union will continue to battle for the rights of our members.
I want to echo President Tosato’s thank-you to our Membership and Executive Board for the incredible support. I have been honoured and privileged to serve this Local Union for many years and I am truly humbled to now represent the Members of Local 175 as your Secretary-Treasurer.
I look forward to what we can achieve collectively and I will do everything in my power to help this membership grow and flourish. I know we can continue to achieve great things.
In Solidarity, Jim McLeantreasurer@ufcw175.com
Kelly Tosato, President
Jim McLean, Secretary-Treasurer
Karen Vaughan, Recorder
Chigozie Agubata
Paul Alexander
Gloria Almonte
Yudesh Anand
Guillermo Avila
Gregg Boyachuk
Maggie Brayson
Christina Brown
Lorne Bruce
Paul Capranos
Paula Castilloux
Michael Collins
Tyler Colwell
Alain Couture
Kelon Dabreo
Rakesh Desai
Ross Fraser
Chris Fuller
Scott Gaboury
Lynne Grant
Robert Hamilton
Dawn Hanlon
Jennifer Hoskins
Damian Hulshof
Scott Jackson
Yonis Jama
Sharon Jones
Kelly Kobitz
Sherry Lotaquon
Murray MacRae
Brian Kozlowski, President
Julie MacCrae, Secretary-Treasurer
Rita-Lynn Swiderski, Recorder
Fawzia Mohamed
Kasiobi Nwankudu
Jean Patenaude
James Antony Pathmarajah
Skip Pavlick
Sheryl Raymond
Dionne Reid
Alan Reston
Joy Searles
Gurpreet Singh
Linda Souliere
Rick Szyja
Jonathan Van Egmond
Peter Wasney
Byron Williams
Dennis Gagnon
Agron Klecka
Anne Marie Stevens
On February 27, 2024, President Kelly Tosato was also elected as an International VicePresident at the International Executive Board meeting in San Antonio, Texas. Here, President Tosato is pictured with UFCW International President Marc Perrone.
(L-R) Local 175 Secretary-Treasurer Jim McLean; President Kelly Tosato; Recorder Karen Vaughan; and National President Shawn Haggerty.
After serving as President of Local 175 for nearly 17 years, Shawn Haggerty announced his resignation in January to take on his new role as UFCW Canada National President. President Haggerty was on hand for the February Executive Board meeting to thank the members for their dedication, hard work, and advocacy.
“I’ve had the privilege to work with this Executive Board and for the members of this Union for many years, not only at the executive level but as a rep in the field,” said Haggerty. “I want to thank the Executive Board for their support and guidance. And to the members of Locals 175 & 633, it has been an honour to work on your behalf. I know your great local union can continue to achieve incredible things for the future of your membership."
National President Haggerty put forward Kelly Tosato and Jim McLean as his recommendations to fill the roles of President and Secretary-Treasurer, respectively. Both recommendations were enthusiastically and unanimously endorsed by the Executive Board.
“I offer my warmest congratulations to Kelly and Jim in their new roles. They both have been outstanding UFCW activists for decades, and I know they will most certainly provide excellent leadership for the hard-working members of this local union,” said Haggerty. "Their dedication, hard work, and commitment to the members means that I am leaving Local 175 in very capable hands."
After a decades-long career, Representative Sandra Proulx has made the decision to retire.
Sandra has always known she wanted to fight for the rights of workers and those who are marginalized within our communities. She started her career with Loblaws nearly 50 years ago, and while working at the store, Sandra decided to become active in the Union and take on the role of Steward.
To further her Union involvement, Sandra then became a Vice President on the Local 175 Executive Board. And in 2016, she brought her years of experience and commitment to workers’ rights to her new role as a full-time Representative at the Union.
Through her time with the Local Union, Sandra participated in many events. She has taken part in fundraisers, political lobbying, protests, Pride, and Labour Day. She was a welcome face at many Stewards conferences and training sessions over the years as well.
Sandra says that she enjoyed doing the job and participating in lobbying and political action, among other things. “I am grateful for being able to work for such a great employer,” said Sandra. “I truly am so proud to say that I worked for UFCW and am thankful for all the things I learned in the past seven years.”
“Being a labour advocate has been a great experience,” added Sandra. “I have been able to help members through some very difficult times and deal with many issues within the workplaces I represented. I will miss all the staff in Region 3 the most, as we were able to talk through so many issues together and they are such wonderful people. I will also miss
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the members; I have been able to make strong connections with many of them.”
In her retirement, Sandra looks forward to not working on a schedule. She is also eager to spend more time with her husband of 42 years, help take care of her brother, and hang out with her grandchildren.
Welcome Ashley Hunt, to the Workers’ Compensation Department.
In 2004, Ashley accepted a job as a houskeeper at Homewood Health Centre. As her career at Homewood progressed, she changed to work on switchboard, and became a Union Steward.
Ashley attended various youth programs and was an active union member at work. She participated in Union programs such as the Youth Leadership Development Program and the Youth Internship Program. She also attended stewards’ conferences as both participant and instructor.
In 2019, Ashley left Homewood to pursue a full-time role in the child protection field. She became certified in Health & Safety and was involved in her union as a Vice-President. Ashley is passionate about skills upgrading and also attended Mohawk College for Medical Terminology.
“My goal is to be the best advocate I can be and fight for equality and safer working conditions for all members,” said Ashley. “Being a labour advocate means to engage workers. Education and building relationships are integral for a strong union, and I’m excited to continue doing this through my work.”
“Sandra has been a wonderful advocate for workers her entire career and has been an invaluable asset to our members,” said President Tosato. “Her experience, passion, and drive cannot be replaced and will be missed.”
“Ashley cares deeply about the rights of others and was a dedicated advocate for our members at Homewood,” said President Kelly Tosato. “I have no doubt that she will continue to fight for the rights of our members in her new role.”
In December, Gordon Steinberg joined the Local Union’s legal team as its first Paralegal.
For most of his career, Gordon has worked as a paralegal in the Toronto area.
Starting out at the City of Toronto, Gord managed a team in the city’s legal department that collected business tax arrears and followed up on other invoices owed to the city. Gordon also acted in a legal capacity recovering rental arrears with the Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC), formerly CityHome.
Prior to 2008, paralegals were not licensed by the Law Society. When that changed, Gordon became licensed and worked freelance for a year. Then, in 2009, Gordon started working at Toronto Community Housing where he acted on behavioral matters and responded to Human Rights Complaints.
Gordon decided to take his career in a different direction and challenge himself by applying his knowledge in a Labour Relations and advocacy role with UFCW Locals 175 & 633.
He says he is pleased to be able to learn more, and apply his previous experience with Human Rights applications, and to pursue his desire to ensure employment rights are protected for the Local Union’s membership.
“Gordon is a welcome addition to the Union’s legal team,” said President Tosato. “His skill and years of experience will be a great resource for our members and the organization.”
* * *
Welcome Art Gier as a new Servicing Representative in Region 4.
Art began his career at Cargill Watson in Guelph in the late '90s. By 2001, after seeing the benefit of having a Union in the workplace, Art became a Steward at the plant.
Over his years at Cargill, Art became increasingly involved in the Union. He acted as a translator during grievance meetings, and was the Health & Safety Co-Chair for six years. In 2008, Art became Chief Steward and took part in bargaining four renewal collective agreements where he helped secure better language, benefits, and wages for the workers at the plant. In 2020, Art became Plant Chairperson.
Art believes that it is important for everyone to know their rights as workers and encourages all members to use the free training resources provided by the Union. “Being a member of UFCW Locals 175 & 633 provides countless benefits that enable members to have a voice, and being in a union ensures that we will be represented regarding any Labour or Health
& Safety issues and greatly adds to our job security.”
Art says he is grateful for every training opportunity that Locals 175 & 633 has provided him over the past 22 years as it has given him the ability to better assist the membership.
“Becoming a Servicing Representative has been an amazing experience and I love having the opportunity to assist members and address their concerns,” said Art.
“Art is a long-time member and leader in the workplace,” said President Tosato. “His knowledge and experience is an incredible asset and I know he’ll continue to serve the members well.”
* * *
Region 7 has welcomed new Servicing Representative Julie Jodoin.
For 15 years, Julie worked for Loblaw Companies at Real Canadian Superstores (RCSS) and Zehrs. During that time, colleagues encouraged Julie to take part in union events like quarterly meetings and ratification votes. This led to Julie becoming a Union Steward where she further developed passion for helping others in the workplace through navigating the collective agreement, understanding their rights, and ensuring they received the hours and pay they deserve.
In 2023, Julie was honoured to represent Loblaws members at the negotiating table where a historic industry-leading agreement was reached. Julie is very proud of herself and the Table Committee Members for achieving this agreement: it is an experience she will remember for a long time.
Julie hopes to bring the same positive change she
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achieved in her own workplaces to the members she now represents. “I am enjoying being a Servicing Representative,” said Julie. “I look forward to meeting and assisting members and I am excited about working alongside some of the Representatives I looked up to as a Steward.”
“Julie’s resourcefulness and knowledge will make her a wonderful Representative for the members, and I know she will put her motivation to good use in creating positive change,” said President Tosato.
* * *
In January, the Local Union hired Brandon Rodrigues as new Counsel on the legal team.
Prior to joining UFCW, Brandon articled at a leading labour law firm in Toronto after finishing his Juris Doctor (JD) at the University of Windsor.
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During his time at Windsor Law, Brandon discovered a love for contract law, and was the teaching assistant for the course in his second year.
Brandon’s exposure to labour law started early in life. Long before Brandon went to law school, his family had been part of Unions, including his Mom, who was a Union Steward. Brandon worked in retail settings for a decade through school and grew a passion for learning about labour law through his experiences, from hearing people’s stories, and from learning about different industries.
“Being a labour advocate means advocating for improvements in working conditions, fairness in the workplace, and honoring the work the UFCW members do,” said Brandon. “I’m excited to be a part of supporting our workers.”
On December 12 & 13, 2023, employees at Women’s Resources of Kawartha Lakes voted in favour of joining UFCW Local 175.
The 45 members at these three Women’s Resources locations work as Shelter Counsellors, Family Support Workers, Outreach, and Child/Youth and Casual/Relief Counsellors.
The main reasons for these workers seeking Union representation were to:
• Achieve better wages;
• Ensure increased Job Security;
• Address Health & Safety concerns;
• Eliminate favouritism, and;
• Work toward a harassment-free workplace.
"
On January 23-24, 2024, workers at Beth Tikvah Foundation of Hamilton voted to join UFCW Local 175 by an overwhelming margin.
These members are Developmental Support Workers at five different locations in and around the city of Hamilton. These 60 workers specialize in providing support to adults with developmental disabilities in group living, intensive support, and independent residences, as well as in-home services. Workers at the Beth Tikvah Foundation chose to organize to:
• Gain enhanced job security;
• Improve their benefits;
• Work in an environment free from favourtism and harassment;
• Secure better wages, and;
• Address Health & Safety concerns.
On December 27 and 28, 2023, the workers at Metro in Barry’s Bay voted in favour of joining UFCW Local 175.
In October, the franchisees of Metro in Barry’s Bay announced their retirement and that the store would be taken over by corporate.
As a result of the news, workers contacted our Union to discuss their options. Workers were faced with uncertainty and were worried about their job security, securing scheduling rights and wages, benefits and pension, and ensuring income retention in the rural area where employment can be scarce.
After their successful vote to join the Union, workers were relieved to have secured their futures and the opportunity to negotiate better wages, benefits, a pension, and scheduling.
These workers held steadfast in their decision to organize. They stood strong and united, and made their voices heard loud and clear. We applaud their determination and resolve and welcome them to their Union.”
Kelly Tosato, President - UFCW Local 175
Twenty-four members working at two Canna Cabana locations – in Innisfil and on Queen Street East in Toronto – recently ratified their first collective agreements as members of UFCW Local 175. Both agreements provide wage increases and other gains for the new members over the next three years.
As these are the first Union agreements in place for these workers, they now benefit from the security of belonging to the Union with language such as a grievance procedure and just cause protection.
• The new hire rate improves immediately to $17.15 per hour, up from minimum wage. After one year of service, members will see another increase to $17.60 per hour. They will then receive an increase of 40 cents per hour in each of the remaining years of the agreement.
• A new classification for Shift Leads shall be paid $19.50 per hour, and they will receive steady increases in each year of the agreement. Members also benefit from a onetime signing bonus of $400 for full-time and $200 for parttime sales associates.
• Full-time employees with at least one year of service will now receive five sick days per calendar year, three of which will be paid.
• Full-time with one year of service will also receive one float day, and one additional float day on January 1, 2026.
• Vision care coverage for frames, lenses, and eye exams of $250 per 24-month period.
Achievements also include the inclusion of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Remembrance Day as paid holidays, among other improvements.
Canna Cabana Innisfil: Brianna Latimer, Union Representative Arlene Robertson, and Regional Director Jehan Ahamed.
Canna Cabana Queen East: Raghav Chawla and Kerri Lee, Union Representative Sabrina Qadir, and HOPE Community Director Mike Mattioli.
Bayfield
members ratify wage increases and newly amalgamated agreements
Bayfield House Retirement Lodge members in Midland unanimously ratified a two-year agreement on February 12, 2024.
Members will receive a general wage increase of 7% over the term of the agreement with increases every six months. The existing three-month rate has become the new start rate, and new weekend premium will be introduced at 10 cents per hour for all hours so worked.
The vision care allowance will increase to $235, up from $185, every two years.
Prior to the ratification of this agreement, the dietary and housekeeping staff were represented by UFCW but had their own separate collective agreement. With the ratification of this agreement, these workers will be streamlined into one collective agreement.
Union Negotiating Committee: Denis Maurice and Caitlin Ryles. Union Representative: Derek Jokhu.
On January 22, 2024, healthcare members at Stone Lodge in Guelph unanimously ratified a two-year collective agreement.
The members at Stone Lodge will receive an increase of 3.5% in each year of the agreement plus an additional 5 cents per hour in each year.
Members will benefit from the introduction of a weekend premium paid at 10 cents per hour in year one and 20 cents per hour in year two. The evening/ night premium will increase by 10 cents per hour in each year, and a new Supervisor premium will be added for three positions.
Members at the Rosewood Senior Living retirement home in Leamington ratified a two-year agreement on January 24, 2024.
Members receive a general wage increase of 3.5% in both years of the agreement. The Union Negotiating Committee was successful at elimiating the start rate in the wage grid which results in a 2% increase for 80% of the membership before the first-year general increase is applied. In addition, the wage grid hours will decrease from 7,200 to 5,400 hours immediately moving all members not currently at top rate up one step of the grid.
Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) will receive a wage adjustment of 75 cents per hour, Members also benefit from the introduction of a night shift premium of 15 cents per hour, and an afternoon shift premium will pay 10 cents per hour. Other monetary improve-
Language improvements in the agreement include:
• A seventh week of vacation after 30 years;
• An increase in the length of time that jobs are posted;
• An additional member on the negotiating committee, paid by the employer, and;
• An increase in part-time vacation pay.
Union Negotiating Committee: John Lannon and Cheryl Raymond. Union Representative: Steve Springall.
ments provide vision care coverage of $375, up from $325, every 24 months.
The employer will contribute to the Locals Training and Education Fund one cent per hour for all hours worked by members.
Union Negotiating Committee: Theresa Holland and Jennifer Raffoul. HOPE LTC Director Sandra Ashcroft and Union Representative John Beaton.
Compass Group members at Sienna Senior Living Homes in Hawthorn, Weston, Fieldstone, and Woodbridge ratified a new agreement on January 5, 2024. Wage increases for members are as follows:
• Dietary Aide: 8.04% in year one, 2.8% in year two, and 2.72% in year three.
• Prep Aide: 5.44% in year one, 2.5% in year two, and 2.4% in year three.
• Cooks: 3.2% in year one, 2.5% in year two, and 2.4% in year three, plus a signing bonus of $200.
Members benefit from an increase of 1% to employer RRSP contributions. Both part and full-time are eligible to contribute 1% of their base wages per pay period to the RRSP. Those employees who choose to contribute will receive 2% of their base wages contributed by the company to the plan.
The benefit cost-share employer contribution increases to 80%. Vision Care coverage and the Physio and Chiropractor allowance both increases to $300. Doctor's note reimbursement increases to $50, and members receive improved bereavement leave of five days.
Language improvements include the addition of a sick day to bring the total to seven. In addition, new language provides four sick days for part-time workers which will benefit approximately 99 workers.
A new floating holiday – one per calendar year – has been added for employees who have completed one year of service.
New language provides that employees who work more than 24 hours per week for more than nine consecutive weeks will be reclassified as full-time unless those hours are a direct result of relieving a full-time employee on vacation, leave of absences, in cases of emergency, or covering other employees for statutory leaves of absence. Seniority will be back-dated to the commencement of the nine-week consecutive period.
Union Negotiating Committee: Shahab Adem, Aretha Foster, Sheronne Francis, and Reomeo Monday. Union Representative: Amy Tran.
Norpro Security members in Sault Ste. Marie ratified a two-year agreement on January 15, 2024.
Members receive increases of $1.10 per hour for all classifications in year one. Thereafter, 'minimum wage plus guarantees' language applies for increases. Other monetary increases include an improved boot allowance of $100 for industrial guards.
Members achieved a significant improvement with the addition of a new benefit plan. The plan includes life insurance, prescription and dental coverage, optical care allowance, and out of country insurance.
New language provides for an online bulletin board
and email for union notices and job postings. Members work at various locations and a static bulletin board is not easily accessible. Members also benefit from new shuttle language that will provide standby pay if the work shuttle that transports workers to and from work locations is late.
Union Negotiating Committee: Eric Hammerstedt. Union Representative: Jim Hames.
Members working for Aramark at the King City Seneca College campus, ratified a three-year collective agreement in January.
The Union Negotiating Committee achieved substantial wage increases in this three-year agreement, including a 6% raise in the first year plus a wage adjustment of 35 cents per hour. Members will see a 3% increase in year two, and a 3% increase in year three.
Members benefit from enhanced vision care coverage of $150 for eye exams and $250 for eyeglasses every two years, and three additional sick days.
Other improvements include:
• $125 for the shoe allowance, up from $50.
• One bereavement day may be retained for a celebration of life at a later date.
• One float holiday.
• Improved language for the grievance procedure and sunset clause.
• Improvement to temporary assignments so that the most senior member will receive the assignment and they will be paid the higher rate.
• A Letter of Understanding addressing payment for parking: the employer commits to securing a discount and setting up a deduction plan to make payment easier.
Union Negotiating Committee: Tamberly Meszaros.
Union Representative: Ricardo Bocanegra.
Members at Western Waffles in Brantford ratified a new three-year deal on January 14, 2024.
Members will see wage increases of 8% paid retroactive for hours worked since July 1, 2023, plus another 2% as of the date or ratification for a total increase of 10% as of ratification. Further increases will be 2% on July 1, 2024 and 3% on July 1, 2025. Shift premiums will increase to 75 cents per hour, up from 50 cents, for afternoon shift, and to $1.35 per hour, up from $1, for the night shift.
The employer will now pay 90% of dental benefit costs, up from the previous 80%, and all references to age limits will be deleted in benefit coverage. The vision care allowance will increase to $300, up from $250.
The Union Negotiating Commitee also achieved an important improvement for the members when it comes to mandatory vacation. The previous two weeks of vacation are no longer mandated for shut down: now, only one week will be required.
Other language improvements address 12-hour shift transitions, and an added floater day for employees with more than 20 years of service.
Union Negotiating Committee: Jordan Barber, Shelly Bartlett, Shorty Grosvold, and Chuck Marr. Union Representative: Melody Slattery.
Your Union offers a Member's Assistance Program (MAP) to help members through difficult times by connecting you with the appropriate professional assistance as close to your community, and as soon, as possible.
UFCW Locals 175 & 633 members have access to this confidential service providing counselling referrals to professional assistance for concerns such as substance abuse, spousal abuse, mental wellness, financial stress, grief, child care, affordable housing, and more.
Call Sharon at Labour Community Services @ 416-977-6888 or 1-877-801-7762
French language services are also available.
ufcw175.com/assistance
With RSIs, pain is usually the most common symptom. But these injuries can begin slowly. Workers should always make note of the onset of any of these symptoms:
• Pain
• Joint stiffness
• Muscle tightness
• Swelling
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Redness or skin colour changes
• Pins and needles sensations
This year, February 29 marked Repetitive Strain Injury Awareness (RSI) Day. RSI is a term used to cover a variety of painful and all-too-common injuries and disorders that affect the nerves, tendons, muscles, and joints.
These types of injuries happen across every industry to workers in all kinds of jobs. RSIs are the most common type of workplace injury and are the most frequent type of lost-time injury.
The reptitive movements that cause RSIs are usually quite ordinary. But complicating factors can create problems quickly. RSIs are more likely to occur when repetition is combined with fixed or awkward body positions, task speed, the force required by/on certain parts of the body, stress, and more.
If you don't speak to your workplace health and safety team about your symptoms or concerns, they might not know there is a problem.
Your Joint Health & Safety Committee (JHSC) and/ or workers Health & Safety Rep(s), Union Steward(s), and Union Representatives are all available to discuss workplace health and safety concerns and to help eliminate hazards at the source wherever possible.
In many cases, workstations, task variety, job design, breaks, movement, work distribution, and other practices can be assessed and changed to help prevent injuries at the source.
As with ANY work-related injury, it's important to:
• Notify your workplace health and safety team and supervisor IMMEDIATELY,
• Seek medical attention if needed to treat symptoms and/or the injury, and;
• File a WSIB claim as needed.
The National Day of Mourning is a commemoration of workers who have been injured, made ill, or who have died as a result of workplace injuries and illnesses across Canada.
In Ontario, the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB) received 240,222 registered claims in total last year. Of those claims, the WSIB denied nearly 30%.
For 2023, the WSIB allowed 68,479 lost time claims and 102,185 no lost time claims. These included:
• 90 traumatic fatality claims;
• 22,237 occupational disease claims;
• 2,377 mental stress claims, and;
• 4,877 COVID claims.1
Employer premiums were reduced in 2022 to the lowest rate in 20 years, and approximately $1.2 billion was paid back to employers from a "surplus" in 2022.
So why do so many injured and ill workers, who rely on workers' compensation benefits, still struggle to make ends meet?
Join your community, co-workers, and Local Union to Mourn for the Dead, and Fight for the Living. Find a Day of Mourning ceremony near you at ufcw175.com/events.
The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) first declared the National Day of Mourning in 1984.
In 1991, the Canadian government passed the Workers Mourning Day Act, making April 28 the official National Day of Mourning.
Does your city or town have a Worker memorial statue, plaque, or other commemorative space?
Each year, members at Metro and The Barn stores across the province take part in a payroll deduction fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada (LLSC). Even in financially difficult times, our members stepped up once again and raised $18,000 in last year's campaign.
Thank you to all of our members who give so generously year after year. And, congratulations to the members at Barn #139, Metro #178, and Metro #422 for raising the most money in their categories. Each of those stores held raffles, with prizes totalling $1,000, for members who signed up to take part in the program.
On page 21, you can read about one of our dedicated Metro members, Elaine Wylie, who won an Outstanding Achievement Award last year for her work raising money for the LLSC.
Kola is committed to making a positive impact in his community. With a long history of volunteerism, including at the Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities and Goodwill Employment Services, Kola selflessly puts his time and expertise to use to directly improve the lives of many people in need.
As a Direct Support Professional at Christian Horizons, Kola is an exemplary Union Steward who consistently goes above and beyond in his role to provide exceptional care and support to the people he serves.
“What truly sets Kola apart is his belief in the transformative power of volunteerism,” said Union Representative Hodan Wais. “He sees it as a way to not only build personal capacity, but also to uplift and support others within his community.”
His dedication and work ethic are a source of inspiration, and Kola's passion for community betterment is a shining example of our union's core values.
Gloria has been a Local 175 member for many years and she is a well-respected Union Steward at her Rexall store in Toronto.
With her experience and drive, Gloria is able to motivate and engage the other members in the workplace, especially new members, about the Union and the protections and benefits contained in their collective agreement.
As an active Union member, she encourages co-workers to get involved in their Union. And Gloria leads by example, too. She regularly attends membership meetings, community events including Labour Day, cell training opportunities, and conventions such as the Bylaw & Policy Conference in 2023.
“Gloria is a strong advocate for the Union,” said Servicing Representative Shirley Hepditch. “She is always a positive and encouraging voice for solidarity and getting people involved. I know this strength and tenacity goes a long way to ensuring her co-workers feel informed and protected at work.”
Congratulations to the winning Members! For more information visit ufcw175.com/training-education/#awards.
Elaine is a respected and long-serving Union Steward at Metro. For more than 14 years now, Elaine’s guidance and experience have served her co-workers well.
In 2009, Elaine lost her sister-in-law to leukemia. In her memory, Elaine supports the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada (LLSC) and its life-saving work. Elaine has been very involved in the Payroll Deduction fundraiser, which sees thousands of generous members at Metro sign up each year to donate a small portion of their weekly pay to the LLSC.
The passion of members like Elaine has raised hundreds of thousands for the LLSC through the Payroll Deduction Program over the years. Since 1985, the generosity of UFCW members across Canada has led to more than $50 million in support for the LLSC.
“Elaine is an incredible and supportive champion for her co-workers,” said Union Representative Jennifer Hanley. “Her commitment to fundraising for the LLSC is inspiring and just goes to show how much she cares for others in her community.”
Improving Workplace H&S or Workers’ Comp
Al is the Chief Steward and a long-time active member at Fearmans in Burlington. In April 2023, the employer issued letters to members at the plant about modified duties due to injury, which effectively reduced pay levels for members with Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB) claims and/or permanent injuries.
In a clear breach of the collective agreement and the Human Rights Code, this letter advised affected members that their pay would be reduced to the level of the modified job they were doing. Al immediately began educating the members on their rights, and filed grievances on their behalf. He made sure to ease the members’ worries and let them know the Union stood behind them, and as a result of an arbitration decision, the grievors maintained their pre-injury rate of pay.
“Al recognizes the importance of health and safety in the workplace, and the rights and obligations of workers’ compensation,” said Union Representative Jason Hanley. “He is always keen to learn and ask questions, and is an incredible asset to his co-workers on the shop floor.”
Ammar Abdullahi
Dylann Aikia
Siya Duggal
Amber Emmerson
Peter-John Matzig
Shannon McGrath
Lana Arrabi
Pierre Bergeron
Mahlet Berhanu
Miguel Bernier
Daryl Berry
Tanja Betteridge
Erin Bridge
Benjamin Brownell
Daria Calitis
Jessica Carvelli
Rikka Marie Catoto
Julia Regina Cervantes
Machel Chalmers-Stewart
Jessica Cheeseman
Norah Christy
Karleigh Covell
Jack Cusson
Amelia Danzinger
Alyssa Desbiens
Emma Distler
Mark Dixon
Madeline Dronyk
Caitlyn Duchesne
Emma Dugas-Blank
Fiona Ezechiels
Lily Flesch
Laurie Fredette
Sarah Galway
Amelie Goudreau
Jessica Gougeon
Rebeckah Green
Carter Hills
Aeriel Hollis
Gillian Hua
Pamela Karram
Sarbjeet Kaur
Tegwyn Kelly
Amanda Keys
Melissa Lam
Izabella Lancia
Adriana LaRosa
Jasmine Lauzon
Chyenne Levesque
Shamar Lewis-Williams
Amanda Lian
Danielle Licorish
Reizelyne Luna
Gabriel MacRae
Mercedes McLaren
Patrick McNutt
Danny Neilson
Lauren Nesbitt
Ngoc My Hanh Nguyen
Jaida Norris
Lenix Pacheco
Tyler Pagliaro
Meet Shah
Sahil Sharma
Mouna Shaweesh
Edward Shulev
Ashviga Pandidurai
Sophie Persaud
Lukasz Pliszka
Aislynn Procter
Gavin Simionato
Jacob Sirbu
Congratulations to last year's scholarship winners! Scholarship
Haris Smailovic
Malicah Smith
Taylor Stegehuis
Mahnoor Qureshi
Kaleigh Swain
Alex Takac
Tarez Raheb
Charbel Tannous
Sydney Third
Brooke Ranger
Alicia Rauth
Jamielea Reay
Nancy Tran
Vian Tran
Ariana Rizzo
Holly Valentine
Gabrielle Rodriguez
Olivia Rondeau
Yasmeen Verdi
Drennan Vince
Setayesh Roshany
Samantha Rowland
Anders Sandberg
Camrynn Schnarr
Carter Wayland
Kayla Wiebe
Ilyas Yahya
Starting April 1, 2024, you can apply online for the 2024 Solidarity Scholarships
There are 104 scholarships of $1,000 available to Members of UFCW Locals 175 & 633 and their children/dependents who are attending college or university.
FROM APRIL 1 and AUGUST 1, 2024
Find a list of last year's winners on page 22.
Notify the Union Office at membership@ufcw175.com or call 1-800-565-8329
