Trochu, Alta. – May 2, 2016 – UFCW Canada Local 1118 members working at Sunterra Meats in Trochu, Alberta are the latest group of workers to join UFCW Canada’s National Defence Fund (NDF), the country's leading strike and lockout resource.

The NDF was established 30 years ago as a guarantee that in the event of a strike or lockout, bargaining units that subscribe to the fund have the resources to fight the toughest of employers. The NDF also provides members additional strike benefits, on top of their regular strike pay. Employers know that members of the NDF have extra strength to take on a strike or lockout, if required, to achieve a fair agreement.

Members at Sunterra voted 94 per cent to join the NDF. The Sunterra unit, which was certified in October 2014 by the Alberta Labour Relations Board, has been trying to reach a fair first collective agreement for over a year-and-a-half.

"With this vote, the membership has given the employer a clear indication of their resolve to reach a collective agreement that is fair for all members at Sunterra Meats," says Local 1118 President Peter Frost.

Sunterra Foods is a meat processing plant located in the rural community of Trochu, Alberta that specializes in pork processing.

You can find out more about the UFCW Canada National Defence Fund, here.