Shandiz Natural Foods workers achieve first contract

Markham, Ont. – June 2, 2014 – Workers at Shandiz Natural Foods in Markham, Ontario have ratified their first collective agreement as members of UFCW Canada Local 175. The members produce organic granola bars and won their vote to join the union last year.

The new contract establishes language for a grievance procedure and seniority rules, provides wage increases, and improves working conditions.

The four-year deal will see the creation of a new pay grid that includes wage increases and lump sum payments totalling 2.5 percent in each year of the contract term.

Vacation entitlements improve to provide three weeks after five years of service, and four weeks after ten years of service. Workers also now receive ten paid holidays each year, plus an eleventh float day effective the third year of the deal. The company will agree to maintain the current level of health and welfare benefits for the duration of the contract.

The workers will now be represented by four union stewards, including one chief steward who will work to ensure that the provisions of the collective agreement are upheld.