Toronto – July 10, 2015 – After four days of voting across the province, members of UFCW Canada Local 1000A voted to ratify an amended agreement with Loblaw Companies Ltd.

The agreement will cover approximately 12,000 workers at 60 Loblaws Great Food and Superstore locations in Ontario. It takes effect on July 9, 2015.

"I want to thank each and every one of our members who participated in the ratification process for making their collective voices heard," said Local 1000A President Pearl Sawyer. "However each individual member voted, their participation is essential to building a better workplace and a stronger union."

Voting on the amended agreement took place from July 5 to July 8.

Negotiations began in February 2015. In May 2015, the membership voted 97 per cent in favour of a strike if a fair contract was not reached.

From June 14 to June 20, members voted to reject a tentative agreement with Loblaw Companies Ltd. A strike deadline was set for July 5, 2015. The strike deadline was postponed to July 11, 2015 as both parties returned to the negotiating table on July 2, at the request of an Ontario Ministry of Labour Mediation Officer. Two days of intensive negotiations resulted in an amended offer on the evening of July 3. For more, see www.ufcw1000a.ca.