Enhanced wages and new full-time jobs mark milestone improvements in a new collective agreement for Metro stores across Ontario, the second group of supermarkets to renew agreements with the grocery chain this year.
“I’m proud of the work we’ve accomplished at the bargaining table. We entered this round of negotiations with a clear vision: to improve conditions for our members” said Gord Currie, Local 414 President.
Creating good full-time jobs, increasing wages and improving pension benefits was a priority for the bargaining committee.
The new four-year contract follows the pattern agreement Unifor established earlier this year for the grocery retail sector, which prioritizes the creation and protection of good full-time jobs. This new agreement at Metro (formerly Dominion Sav-A-Centre stores) also includes leave and return-to-work protections, the elimination of wage tiers for department managers, and a new paid personal day for senior part-time workers.
“Over the past four years, our union has laid the foundation for high-standard wage and working conditions in a sector that has become notorious for low-pay, precarious work,” said Christine Connor, Unifor National Staff Representative. “The tireless work of our bargaining committee continues to ensure substantial gains for our members.”
The new agreement also contains an improved student leave of absence, an expanded shoe allowance, and a renewed commitment to Unifor’s Women’s Advocate program, to assist members and their families facing domestic violence.
The new collective agreement covers more than 500 workers at four Metro locations in Ontario. Members ratified the agreement by 90 per cent.