Quebec City – December 13, 2013 – UFCW Canada Local 509 is pleased and very proud to announce that the workers at Gaudreau Environnement inc. have achieved a first collective agreement. The members at Gaudreau Environnement — a waste management company in the Charlevoix area — ratified the terms of a first labour contract which runs until the end of 2016.

The agreement, effective November 1, 2013, provides a yearly wage increase of 2.5% on average. Highlights include the addition of two floating sick days, as well coverage under the UFCW dental plan, fully paid by the employer, providing an 80% reimbursement of dental expenses. “Created in 1975, the UFCW dental plan is unquestionably one of the main advantages that contribute to our union’s reputation. To date, nearly 40,000 members in Quebec are covered by our dental plan, allowing more than 50,000 people to benefit from the plan,” explains Daniel Nadeau, president of UFCW Canada Local 509.

"Workers at Gaudreau Environnement inc. have every reason to be proud of the outcome of this first negotiation which was conducted in a spirit of openness and cooperation. Furthermore, this agreement helps to strengthen quality jobs while maintaining decent working conditions in the Charlevoix region,” says Brother Nadeau.