Poultry members at Rossdown Farms & Natural Foods improve their workplace – UFCW 1518

Abbotsford, B.C. – February 2, 2019 – UFCW Canada Local 1518 members working at Rossdown Farms & Natural Foods have achieved their first contract, securing important gains that include better wages and more vacation.

Rossdown Farms & Natural Foods is a farm-to-plate producer of certified organic poultry. Under the new two-year collective agreement, the 200 poultry sector workers will see the following improvements to their workplace:

  • Shop steward rights, a grievance procedure, and a job posting process;
  • New health and safety provisions;
  • A $2.00 an hour pay raise for some members; and
  • A fourth week of vacation for workers with 10 years of seniority or more.

“Although they joined UFCW 1518 more than a year ago, Rossdown members faced a challenging path to their first contract,” says Patrick Johnson, Secretary-Treasurer of UFCW 1518.  “There’s no doubt that the members needed a union. The employer was playing favourites; there was no fairness in scheduling or pay raises. And the workers were suffering,” he adds. “The union fought hard for these members. We stood up to the boss in a way they couldn’t by themselves. We filed complaints at the Labour Relations Board and were finally able to pressure the employer into negotiating a solid first collective agreement.”

To read more about the new contract for members at Rossdown Farms & Natural Foods, click here.

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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