Montreal – February 8, 2014 – UFCW Canada Local 500 members at the Addison Electronics in Montreal have ratified a new collective agreement covering the more than 65 members working at the landmark Montreal electronic components store.

The collective agreement provides a wage increase based on 500 hours worked instead of 800 hours for those on the progression scale, and employees at the top of the pay scale will receive a 2% annual increase retroactive to April 2013. The agreement runs until 2018.

The agreement also includes other significant improvements including:

• Forklift premium of 50¢ added for the term of the agreement;
• Increased assistant manager’s premium pay from 50¢ to 75¢ per hour;
• 4th week of vacation after 10 years of service instead of the current 12 years for the term of the agreement;
• Creation of five full-time positions.

Additionally, the agreement allows employees and their families (spouse and dependent children) to benefit from the Quebec UFCW Dental Plan. “Created on January 1, 1975, the UFCW Dental Plan is unquestionably one of the main advantages contributing to our union’s reputation. To date, nearly 40,000 members in Quebec are covered by our dental plan, which allows more than 50,000 people to benefit from the plan,” explains Local 500 negotiator Steeve Bégin.