Montreal – May 16, 2016 — UFCW Canada Local 500 members at Provigo Dolbeau have overwhelmingly ratified a first collective agreement. Wage raise increments every 650 hours have been introduced for the 40 union members, with the wages for workers at the top-of-scale increasing by 2% per year.

Other highlights of this first collective agreement include clauses limiting how much work suppliers can do in the store; the establishment of seniority; as well as the posting of all vacant positions before the employer seeks outside candidates.

Several other working conditions have been improved for the new union members, including:

• the addition of a night premium of 90 cents per hour 

• the addition of a premium of 50 cents per hour for supervisors 

• the addition of a fifth vacation week for workers with 18 years of service, starting in 2016

• an increase in the number of personal leave days from two to five; this benefit will now be available for all workers 

• an increase in the number of unpaid leave hours from 32 to 40

• introduction of the UFCW Quebec Dental Plan starting January 1, 2018, paid entirely by the employer

This contract, with its many clauses protecting working conditions such as benefits, vacations and seniority rights, acknowledges the substantial contribution members have made to the employer’s success. It will help build a relationship that is good for the members, their families, the community, and the company.

“We are very proud of having negotiated good working conditions for members at Provigo Dolbeau,” said Antonio Filato, President of Local 500. “Union solidarity provided great support to the bargaining committee. This contract will not only reinforce the current staffing, it will also provide improved working conditions for UFCW Local 500 retail food workers in the Lac Saint-Jean region.”