Port McNeil, B.C. – January 5, 2019 – UFCW Canada Local 1518 members working at IGA in Port McNeil, British Columbia have ratified a new collective agreement by a strong majority. The deal comes after a long, uphill battle, including three rounds of mediation at the B.C. Labour Relations Board.

However, the 60 food retail members at IGA stood their ground, rejecting the employer’s first offer and taking a successful strike vote. “Members know what they are worth, and they sent a clear message that they expect to be treated fairly and with respect,” says UFCW 1518 Executive Assistant Patrick Johnson.

At a time when wages in the private sector are stagnant, the agreement provides a two percent wage increase in each year of the four-year deal, retroactive to October 2017, in addition to a $50 (gift card) signing bonus. As well, the employer will now match RRSP contributions for two tax years, and implement paid funeral leave for “step” family members.

“The union was also successful in preventing the employer from adding a third excluded management position, which is an important win,” Johnson adds. “There’s no doubt that this improved agreement comes from the members standing together. By giving the bargaining committee a strike mandate, they succeeded in bringing IGA back to the bargaining table and the mediation process.”

Johnson would like to thank the members of the bargaining committee, which consisted of  UFCW 1518 members Sandra Brandson and Bob Roe, Union Representative Ashley Campbell, and Director Kim Balmer.

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.

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