New contract for Sunnymel drivers and stockyard workers - UFCW 501
Quebec – September 25, 2024 — Drivers and stockyard workers at the Sunnymel poultry slaughterhouse have renewed their collective agreement following peaceful and efficient negotiations. The discussions, which took just two meetings, led to an agreement that was submitted to the UFCW 501 members for approval at the ratification meeting held on June 23, 2024 and was ratified by a 70% majority.
Among the main provisions of the new collective agreement, members will now benefit from overtime pay after eight hours' work per day. A statutory holiday has been added, as well as personal leave payable at the end of the year. A premium for warehouse managers has been introduced, set at $1.25 per hour. Night premiums and premiums for working with live poultry have also been increased, from $0.40 to $0.75 and from $0.50 to $1.00 per hour respectively.
In terms of compensation, a 4% salary increase is in effect upon ratification of the collective agreement, followed by a 4% increase in 2025. The years 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029 will see an annual increase of 3%.
“We are extremely proud of the work accomplished by the negotiating committee who, thanks to their commitment and determination, succeeded in obtaining significant improvements for our members. This new collective agreement marks a major step forward in working conditions for drivers and stockyard workers in the food processing sector. It is a testament to the power of union solidarity and our ability to achieve concrete gains for our members,” says Daniel Nadeau, UFCW 501 Eastern Quebec Director.
About UFCW 501
With some 19,000 members in over 410 units, UFCW 501 is part of the largest francophone food and commercial union in Quebec and represents members in northern New Brunswick. Our members work in all areas of the food industry and trade, as well as in other fields such as service, processing, manufacturing, technical and professional jobs. For more information on UFCW 501, visit www.tuac501.org.
