Colonial Farms members achieve new agreement – UFCW 1518

Armstrong, B.C. – May 10, 2016 – UFCW Canada Local 1518 members working at Colonial Farms have achieved a new collective agreement that brings improvements to wages, pensions, shift premiums and more. The new agreement includes wage increases of $0.45 per hour in year 1 and $0.40 per hour in years 2, 3, 4, and 5. The contract also features new language which allows members up to three days paid leave following non-hospitalized day surgery.

Off-shift premiums have also been increased. Members who work between the hours of 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. will receive a $0.50 shift premium (previously $0.35), and members who work between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. will now receive a $0.85 premium, up from $0.70.

The more than 60 members at Colonial Farms also received an increased boot allowance of $250 over a two-year period, up from $100. In addition, members also gained increased vision care coverage of $250 in a 24-month consecutive period. Maintenance employees will receive an additional $250 in a 24-month consecutive period for prescription protective eye equipment.

The contract also secured increased employer payments to the pension plan. The employer will now pay $1.63 per hour in Year 1, $1.73 per hour in Year 2, $1.83 per hour in Year 3, $1.93 per hour in Year 4, and $2.03 per hour in Year 5.

The bargaining committee included Dave Tettamente, Kelly Burden and union representative Shari Jensen.