Mississauga, Ont. – February 18, 2017 – About 700 members working at YIG (Your Independent Grocer) stores in Northern Ontario recently achieved a new collective agreement, which includes wage increases, seniority improvements, and more.

The new deal covers bargaining unit members at five stores: Dumas' YIG (including Wadland Pharmacy) and Vrab's YIG in Sudbury; Neil's YIG in Hanmer; Gagnon's YIG in Bracebridge; and Terry's YIG in Gravenhurst, Ontario.

Members secured growing wages over the next five years covered by the contract. Each year will see increases to the end and progression rates. Part-time wage progressions receive additional adjustments as they accrue seniority to ensure that employee’s wages remain above the minimum wage set by the province. The first end-rate increase is retroactive for hours worked since the expiry of the previous agreement, and members in the progression grid will receive a signing bonus of up to $100.

Additional gains include improvements to the safety shoe allowance to $100, up from $75; a minimum four-hour call-in  guarantee for all full-time employees; and new language giving members more say as to which Union Steward they would like representing them at meetings.

The union negotiating committee included Marc Belanger, Paul Brown, Paul Castilloux, Brenda Oldfield, Sally Owens, Lorne Ramanko, Lynn Valentino and union representatives Jeff Barry and Tony Nigro.