Vaughan, Ont. – March 2, 2016 – UFCW Canada Local 1000A members working at Maple Leaf Consumers Foods Poultry have ratified a new deal that brings numerous gains including wage increases and long-term disability benefits.

After negotiations, I am happy we secured long-term disability benefits for our co-workers," says Brad Leo, a steward at Maple Leaf Consumer Foods. "There are lots of people on short-term disability but when those benefits are up, they have no income."

The new three-year agreement is retroactive from September 2015 and runs until 2018. Other gains included improvement to vacation schedules, clarified job classifications and improved rates, and improvements to the benefits package beyond the introduction of the long-term disability benefits.

The bargaining committee included Don Taylor, UFCW 1000A Regional Director (Central Ontario), staff representative Dustin Magee, and members Maria Cabral, Brad Leo, and Paulie Teves.

"Congratulations to the bargaining committee for their hard work on behalf of our members at Maple Leaf Consumer Foods Poultry," says UFCW 1000A President Pearl Sawyer. "With member input, participation and unity, a fair deal was achieved."