Elkford, B.C. – January 11, 2018 – UFCW Canada Local 1518 members working at the Kootenay Market in Elkford, British Columbia have achieved a new agreement that brings wage increases and more.

The 22 Kootenay Market members overwhelmingly voted in favour of a new five-year deal that brings the starting wage up from $12 an hour to $13.60 an hour. More importantly, the new contract includes a minimum wage spread that is tied to the provincial minimum wage, distributing the benefits of a rising minimum wage across the wage scale while allowing the collective agreement to be responsive to legislative changes.

Kootenay Market is a “store within a store,” featuring hardware and soft goods along with grocery, deli, and bakery products.

“We finally have a progressive government in B.C. which understands that working people need to make a decent living in order to foster a productive economy,” says UFCW Canada Local 1518 President Ivan Limpright. “The minimum wage is going up, there’s no doubt. So it’s good to see employers like Kootenay Market being proactive. It will enable them to remain competitive in attracting and retaining experienced workers,” Brother Limpright adds.

UFCW Canada Local 1518 represents over 20,000 members working in a diverse range of industries, including retail food, industrial food processing, community health, seasonal agriculture, and professional services. To learn more about UFCW Local 1518, visit their website.