Toronto – March 31, 2020 – Following the negotiation of wage premiums and enhanced safety protections for UFCW members working at all Loblaw, Metro, and Sobeys banner stores, as well as all Cargill, Olymel, and Maple Leaf Foods locations in Canada, UFCW members at Pepsi and Coca-Cola have achieved additional pay premiums and safety measures in recognition of their hard work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

For members at Pepsi, the company has announced a $2 per hour wage increase that became effective as of Monday, March 23, as well as pay protections if members need to self-isolate or quarantine due to COVID-19.

Pepsi is also implementing increased physical distancing and hand-washing measures at its plants and distribution centres, while ensuring that staff have access to appropriate cleaning equipment.

In addition, the union is currently working with the company on introducing other safety measures to help keep all front-line workers healthy and safe.

Coca-Cola members will see similar gains with a $2 per hour wage increase and pay protections if members become ill or need to self-isolate as a result of COVID-19.

The company is also increasing cleaning, health and safety, and physical distancing measures at its plants and distribution centres, following discussions with the union.

“UFCW beverage members have been working hard to supply stores, eateries, and other facilities throughout the COVID-19 crisis, and these pay premiums and enhanced safety measures are an appropriate way of recognizing members’ contributions while working to keep employees healthy and safe,” says Paul Meinema, the national president of UFCW Canada.

“We would like to thank all beverage members for their amazing efforts in this time of need, and we commend Pepsi and Coca-Cola for doing the right thing for workers,” the UFCW leader adds.

UFCW Canada is the country’s leading private sector union, representing more than 250,000 union members across Canada working in food retail and processing, transportation, health care, logistics, warehousing, agriculture, hospitality, manufacturing, and the security and professional sectors. UFCW is the country's most innovative organization dedicated to building fairness in workplaces and communities. UFCW Canada members are your neighbours who work at your local grocery stores, hotels, car rental agencies, nursing homes, restaurants, food processing plants, and thousands of other locations across the country.