New members at Grounds for Coffee achieve first contract – UFCW 1518

Vancouver – January 25, 2024 – New UFCW 1518 members at Grounds for Coffee have ratified their first collective agreement after joining the union in February 2023.

Last February, workers across the two Vancouver locations of Grounds for Coffee joined forces to successfully organize both coffee shops and to prioritize health and safety concerns, in addition to wages, workloads and ensuring respect and fairness from their employer.

Since then, they have been hard at work fighting for fairness at the bargaining table, and after months of hard work and advocacy, these workers have secured a groundbreaking win by ratifying a strong first collective agreement. This agreement solidifies many benefits for the hardworking café workers across both locations.  

Key highlights from the newly ratified contract include:

• Wage increases that will provide all employees with a minimum $0.50 increase 
• Wage progression tied to hours worked for fair compensation 
• Minimum wage spread – a wage scale that accounts for minimum wage increases 
• Health and Welfare Plan now accessible to those working average of thirty (30) hours a week with six months or more of service 
• Advanced Schedules, allowing workers to plan ahead 

Grounds for Coffee workers took their first step towards a more and equitable workplace a year ago, laying the foundation for positive change. Today, they are seeing the fruits of their labour, and the benefits of union membership.  This collective win is a testament to Grounds for Coffee workers’ solidarity for one another, and their dedication towards building a better workplace.

Read more about the contract victory at Ground for Coffee.

UFCW 1518 comprises tens of thousands of workers in BC’s retail sector. The Grounds for Coffee, Matchstick, Gallagher’s Coffee Bar & Café, and Cartems Donuts staff are fighting to improve morale and working conditions in BC’s cafés. To learn more about UFCW 1518 and its outstanding work for BC’s café workers, visit the Local Union’s website.

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