Montreal – January 9, 2014 – UFCW Canada Local 1991P members at the ATRAHAN pork packing and processing plant have voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new contract. About 250 members work at the plant located in the Mauricie region of Quebec.

The new collective agreement runs until 2020, and includes a 75¢ per hour wage increase retroactive to September 14, 2013 for all employees.  As for improvements, the employer’s contribution to the pension plan will rise to 3.5% of gross wages over the life of the agreement.

Other gains include:

• Improved language regarding outsourcing;
• Probation period shortened from 90 days to 60 days;
• Weekly guaranteed hours (35 hours);
• Hours worked outside an employee’s regularly scheduled hours are considered as overtime;
• Improved banked hours mechanism for time off;
• Complete reorganization of job classifications resulting in increases from 65¢ to $1/hour worked for affected employees;
• Creation of a trainer position with a 75¢/hour premium, and an ergonomics committee;
• Internal staffing changes are based on seniority;
• Improved ratio for bereavement leave;
• Improved vacation and floating holidays;
• Addition of a Christmas Eve statutory holiday;
• Shortened  wage scale progression allowing workers to reach the maximum rate in 4 years instead of 5;
• Introduction of a progressive pension plan for workers 55 years of age and older (4 days per week);
• General wage increase of $3/hour over the span of agreement, with 75¢ per hour in the first year.

“I wish to congratulate Yves Dupont, Janick Vallières and all the bargaining committee members for their excellent work. The new collective agreement helps to strengthen the jobs of our 250 members at ATRAHAN in Yamachiche and maintains good working conditions in the Mauricie area,” says Mario Maisonneuve, President of UFCW Canada Local 1991P.