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The 200 Unifor members at Post Foods in Niagara Falls, Ont. voted 84% in favour of a new three-year agreement on Jan. 14, 2023.
Key victories include a 12% wage increase over three years, with 6% in the first year, and 3% in the second and third year. Members have improved working conditions and work practices, including addressing unscheduled overtime procedure and new language where the company must fist contact the union prior to contracting out work.
In addition, the company now needs to provide proper documentation for discipline or denial of a transfer based on ability. Members can now bump to better jobs/shifts by seniority weekly, if requested and workers who are pregnant also receive protection if they fall ill prior to the birth of the child, as well as the addition of drug benefit card. There is a higher wage increase for Skilled Trades workers to incentivize staying.
The agreement began retroactive to Jan. 10, 2023.
These members are associates or tradespersons at Post Foods, which include biscuit packaging, wheat elevator operator, coater, sanitarian, warehouse coordinator, electricians, machinists, mechanics and technicians, among others.
“Congratulations to the bargaining committee for fighting for our food manufacturing members,” said Local 1101 President Carly Sonier, the first woman president the local since 1942. “Work ownership is very important to our members and our new agreement means full-time members get overtime first before anyone else.”
