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Unifor Local 222 members at Premier Implementation Solutions have ratified their first collective agreement by an overwhelming 96%. The three-year agreement covers 200 members at the Fresh Del Monte facility in Oshawa, which processes fresh-cut fruit and vegetables for distribution across Ontario and Quebec.
The workers voted to join Unifor in February 2020 following a certification vote ordered by the Labour Board because of the company’s actions.
“Unifor was able to deliver concrete gains and protections for these new members,” said Deb Tveit, Unifor Assistant to the National President. “In addition to significant wage gains, this first collective agreement addresses historic issues and solidifies workers’ rights in key areas including scheduling and discipline procedures.”
Highlights of the new collective agreement include:
- Total wage increase of 9.54% over the lifetime of the agreement;
- Shift scheduling by seniority
- New guaranteed break times
- Minimum start rates in all classifications;
- Minimum reporting and call-in pay of 4 hours;
- Overtime offered by seniority;
- Excess hours agreement which allows for voluntary overtime - not forced;
- Bargaining unit work protections
- Layoff and recall protections by seniority;
- Equal pay for equal work protection and
- All current and prior discipline removed from all employee records harassment and discrimination protection and joint investigations when necessary.
“We were also able to incorporate important Unifor initiatives for our newest bargaining unit in this contract, including Paid Education Leave, company contributions to the Unifor Social Justice Fund, Emergency Leave days, Domestic violence leave, and a trained Women’s Advocate role to support members experiencing violence or harassment,” said Colin James, President of Unifor Local 222.
