New Retail Food Members in Saint-Rémi, Quebec ratify first contract

Montreal – May 30, 2013 – New retail food members in Saint-Rémi, Quebec, who work for Super C supermarkets, are celebrating the ratification of their first collective agreement. The new UFCW Canada Local 500 members voted unanimously for their first contract, and are now enjoying a stronger voice in the workplace and improved employment standards.

For the first year of the contract, the agreement provides wage increases of more than 7% most employees. Additionally, employees and their family members (spouse and dependent children) are now entitled to a 100% dental reimbursement for all cleanings, and 50% to 70% for most other expenses.

“The UFCW dental plan is unquestionably one of the main advantages that contribute to our union’s reputation. The plan currently covers almost 40,000 members in Quebec, which indirectly allows more than 50,000 people to benefit from the plan,” says Local 500 President Antonio Filato.

Other key elements of this agreement include:

• The creation of 7 new full-time positions, as well as the implementation of a mechanism for creating future full-time positions;

• A 40-hour sick leave bank for all full-time employees over the life of the agreement;

• A defined benefit pension plan paid entirely by the employer for all eligible employees over the life of the agreement;

• Group insurance coverage, the costs of which are covered by the employer at 50%, over the life of the agreement.