Cambridge, Ont. – April 13, 2016 – UFCW Canada Local 1000A members working as transport drivers at National Grocers Maple Grove Distribution Centre have ratified a new contract that brings many gains including signing bonuses, wage increases and improved language.

The Maple Grove Distribution Centre in Cambridge is the largest in the National Grocers chain. National Grocers is a division of Loblaws Companies.

"Our bargaining committee did an excellent job through a tough set of negotiations to get to the deal that was ratified," said Bill Vantol, UFCW Canada Local 1000A Staff Representative.

"This is a fair deal with wage increases and gains for everyone," Vantol said. "We pushed the company as far as we could go in negotiations."

The new five-year agreement is effective from March 8, 2016.

Workers classified in Tier 1 received a $1,000 signing bonus, $2,000 in lump sums, and $1.50 per hour increase over the duration of the contract. Workers classified in Tier 2 received a $1,000 signing bonus and $2.50 per hour wage increase over five years.

Part-time workers also received a $500 signing bonus and a $1 per hour wage increase over the term of the contract.

Other gains included an increase in the mileage rate from 24 cents per kilometre to 26 cents per kilometre. Improved language also means that union drivers get a choice of all the work ahead of fresh start third-party carriers. Improved severance language was also negotiated.