New Westminster, B.C. – June 16, 2018 – UFCW Canada Local 1518 members working at 45 Save-On-Foods locations across British Columbia have ratified a new collective agreement that provides better job security, domestic violence leave of absence language, and more.

“We want to thank all of the members who came out to vote for this agreement,” says UFCW 1518 Secretary Treasurer Kim Novak. 

The new agreement significantly strengthens Quarterly Review language by limiting the number of existing stores that can be put under review to a maximum of five existing stores in 2020, 2021, and 2022, with no existing stores being placed under Quarterly Review in 2018 or 2019. This means long-term job security improvements, in addition to maintaining wages and benefits for members.

Other important gains in the contract include:

• 17 stores removed from Quarterly Review and returned to full terms of the collective agreement;

• Combination of lump sum payments and off-scale wage increases for top rate Grid A and non-Grid A employees;

• Vacation bridging for Grid A employees who have had breaks in service for years, where such employees dropped below 1450 hours worked;

• All non-Grid A employees to move to one wage scale with an improved top rate and all non-Grid A employees receive a wage increase after ratification;

• Sick time for non-Grid A employees;

• Short term disability plan & reduction in qualification time for the Employee Benefit Plan;

• Domestic Violence Leave of Absence, including a paid day component;

• Salaried Key Personnel will be paid out hours worked above 40 hours per week if they are not provided the lieu time within the month;

• Restrictions on future acquisitions of convenience stores and drug stores that are non-union to under 5,000 square feet. Any increase to square footage, new stores that open, and any acquisition store that falls under the Save-On-Foods or any Overwaitea Food Group banner will fall under the applicable contract;

• Increased opportunity to move between stores – more job postings will be available to all employees (including Key Personnel) and will be awarded by seniority;

• Closer to Home transfer opportunities monthly (vs. once per year);

• New pilot project to allow Pharmacy Assistants to maximize hours by working in other stores while performing pharmacy work;

• Restrictions on vendor stocking that include protecting existing employee hours, limiting the number of vendors, and limiting the scope of work that can be performed; and

• Opportunity to select vacation during the blackout week where Christmas Day falls.

UFCW Canada Local 1518 represents over 20,000 members working in a diverse range of industries across British Columbia and the Yukon, including the retail food, community health, seasonal agriculture, and professional service sectors. To learn more about UFCW 1518, visit their website.