Lévis, Que. – May 19, 2016 – UFCW Canada Local 501 members working at Fabrication P.F.L. in Lévis, Quebec have recently achieved their first collective agreement.

Fabrication P.F.L. produces wooden packaging materials and has been in business for over 15 years. The new members met on April 15 to ratify their contract, which runs through February 2019.

The new agreement preserves existing jobs and protects working conditions, some of the highlights include:

• the addition of two paid holidays over and above the provisions of the Quebec Act respecting Labour Standards;

• employer's contribution of 15 cents per hour per worker to the UFCW Quebec Dental Care Plan;

• an annual allowance of $100 for the purchase of work boots;

• the creation of new job classifications and hourly wage progressions; progression rates to be reviewed upwards annually: 2% for workers at the top of the wage scale and 3.5% for other workers;

• a lump sum signing bonus of $300, $400 or $500 depending on seniority;

• the addition of a fourth paid vacation week for workers with 10 years of service or more;

• addition of a night premium of 50 cents per hour

• manpower movement planning based on seniority;

"We are delighted for the successful negotiation of the first contract for the new members at Fabrication P.F.L.," says UFCW Canada Local 501 President Alain Lachaîne. "This collective agreement is a pledge of stability that will protect jobs while allowing the employer to grow and remain competitive. I would like to congratulate the members and the whole bargaining team on a job well done."