Edmonton – July 6, 2019 – UFCW Local 401 members working at Vision Loss Rehabilitation Alberta (VLRA) have achieved their first union contract, which provides wage gains, improved benefits, and more.

Operated by the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), the VLRA is an independent health care service provider that receives funding from the Government of Alberta, as well as private donors. Members at VLRA provide support to the visually impaired through training, which helps their clients remain independent.

Under the new, three-year collective agreement, the VLRA members will enjoy union representation and job security, strong union access and visitation rights, and paid time for stewards performing their representational duties.

As well, new employees will receive 30-minute union orientation sessions with their union representatives to learn about the benefits of being a member of Alberta’s largest private sector union. There is also extra time set aside for stewards and representatives to walk new workers through the union contract to ensure that they understand all of their rights.

In addition, members at VLRA will now have access to banked overtime options, paid sick days, three paid personal days, an annual “birthday floater” day off, 7 days of bereavement leave, paid travel time, and meal allowances, among other new benefits.

“UFCW Local 401 would like to give a big congratulations to the bargaining committee and the VLRA employees for achieving a fabulous first union contract,” says Doug O’Halloran, President of  UFCW Local 401. “Together, you have helped set the bar for others to follow. Welcome to UFCW 401 – we are proud to have you in our family,” he adds.

To read more about the new union contract at VLRA, click here.

UFCW Canada Local 401 is Alberta’s largest private sector union, representing more than 32,000 union members working in diverse sectors of the Alberta economy, including food and beverage production, retail, warehousing, transportation, and agriculture. To learn more about UFCW 401, visit their website.

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