Prescott, Ont. – August 9, 2016 – UFCW Canada Local 175 members working at O'Reilly's Your Independent Grocer have recently achieved a new collective agreement.

Gains include wages increase of $1 per hour over the term of the contract with additional lump sum payments in years one and four. Part-time wage progressions receive additional adjustments to ensure that employees’ wages remain above the minimum wage set by the province. There have also been increases to the supervisory premium as well as relief pay, and part-time hours now increase to 28 per week, up from 24.

Contributions toward the employee’s dental plan increase to ensure benefits are maintained.

As per the new agreement, contributions toward the employee dental plan have increased to ensure that benefits are maintained.

New contract language now guarantees that statutory holiday work will be scheduled by seniority and that full-time openings will be filled as full-time positions. Additional improvements provide increases paid time off for the birth or adoption of a child, and paid time off for stewards to meet with new employees.

The union negotiating committee included Mary Alice Allan, Susan Chillson, Shane Patterson and union representatives Shannon Epp and Simon Baker.