Fort McMurray, Alta.– July 30, 2014 –Aramark workers in Fort McMurray, Alberta recently ratified their first collective bargaining agreement as members of UFCW Canada Local 401. The Aramark employees work as cooks, housekeepers, camp attendants, and maintenance employees at one of the largest food and beverage service companies in the world. 

As part of the new contract, the Aramark workers will receive improved coffee breaks and bereavement leave, as well as overtime pay for all work performed on Saturdays. The collective agreement also requires 100 percent payment by the company into the health and welfare benefit plan, and establishes an employee Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) with matching employer contributions. In addition, the Aramark workers will receive wage increases in each year of the contract, and a first-time travel allowance of $250 per month in the first year of the agreement, $275 in the second year, and $300 in third year.

"We are very pleased with the outcome of these negotiations, as the Aramark members overwhelmingly ratified their new collective agreement," says UFCW Canada Local 401 President Douglas O'Halloran. "Congratulations to the Aramark members on achieving their first contract with Local 401," Brother O'Halloran adds.