Quebec – April 1, 2014 – Members of UFCW Canada Local 503, working at the A. Chouinard & fils inc. IGA store in Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré have a ratified a new collective agreement. The new contract runs until February 2019.

In terms of wages, the new labour contract provides annual increases of up to 2%. Employees having 17 or more years of continuous service will now have a 5^th week of vacation.

In addition to the above improvements, the agreement includes other benefits such as a progressively increasing Christmas bonus of up to 1.8% and a new reduced work week for workers 55 years of age and over with 10 years of continuous service. The new agreement also provides for posting of two permanent positions, one as cashier and the other as customer service employee.

Furthermore, sick days will be granted according to seniority as follows:

• 1 to 2 years: 40 hours;

• More than 2 years, but less than 4 years: 44 hours;

• 4 years, but less than 6 years: 46 hours;

• 6 years, but less than 8 years: 48 hours;

• 8 years, but less than 10 years: 52 hours;

• 10 years and more: 56 hours.

At the conclusion of the bargaining process, Local 503 president Louise Lefebvre was very pleased with the outcome of negotiations for these members in Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré: “We are proud of the new collective agreement and working conditions the team achieved for our members in the Quebec area who are now in a better situation.”