Members at Firestone Textiles achieve new contract – UFCW 175

Woodstock, Ont. – April 25, 2015 – UFCW Canada Local 175 members working at Firestone Textiles have voted in favor of ratifying a new collective agreement.

The new agreement provides wage increases over the term of the agreement with the first increase retroactive for hours worked since December 15, 2014. There is also a new premium of 75 cents per hour to be paid for workers who are designated as Team Leaders. In addition, overtime will no longer be clawed back when an employee uses an Emergency Leave Day.

Skilled Trades workers will now receive triple time with a guarantee of four hours pay when called-in. Should the company implement an on-call system for Skilled Trades employees, those on call will receive $175 per week in addition to one and one half times when called in with a guarantee of four hours pay/call-in.

New contract language also helps protect jobs by establishing a policy that prevents work from being contracted to outside workers. The employer will now pay 100% of wages for up to five days for the Negotiating Committee.