Members at Healthcare Food Services achieve first contract – UFCW 175

Members at Healthcare Food Services achieve first contract – UFCW 175Mississauga, Ont. – February 7, 2015 – UFCW Canada Local 175 members working at Healthcare Food Services (HFS) in Ottawa have ratified their first collective agreement. HFS produces prepared and fresh food meals for healthcare facilities in Canada's National Capital Region.

The three-year agreement provides wage increases to all full and part-time employees. The employer will also post nine new full-time positions between April 10, 2015 and February 1, 2017. About 90 members currently work at HFS in the Ottawa region.

Members will receive sick leave each calendar year as follows: 80 hours for full-time, and 40 hours for part time. Effective January 2016, part-time members with 2 years of service or more will have a dental benefit of $1500 per calendar year, and nineteen full-time employees will see reductions of $200-$1,000 in their yearly contribution requirements.

All members are also eligible for an allowance up to $125.00 dollars per calendar year to purchase safety boots.

Members of the negotiating committee included Lucie Goyette, Mona Giroux and Union Representative Daniel Mercier.