Winnipeg – December 15, 2015 – UFCW Canada Local 832 members working at the Maple Leaf Foods plant in Winnipeg, Manitoba have overwhelmingly ratified a new collective agreement.

Under the new contract, the 1,200 Maple Leaf Foods workers will see their wages increase by $1.60 to $2.50 an hour over the duration of the agreement, and will also enjoy improvements to their health benefits, the employee pension plan, and job reclassifications.

UFCW Canada Local 832 President Jeff Traeger, who served as chief negotiator for the new deal, is pleased with the results of the contract vote.  

"The Maple Leaf Foods members in Winnipeg asked us to ensure that they would be on the same track as the members at the Brandon Maple Leaf plant, and we were able to achieve those goals and more," says Traeger. "Our bargaining committee worked hard on this deal, and I also have to commend the company for coming to the table with a strong commitment to continue investing in our province," he adds.

The new Maple Leaf Foods deal will take effect on January 1, 2016.