Cavendish: Long List of Improvements

December 7^th, 2022, Lethbridge –Following further contract negotiations, the UFCW 401 members at Cavendish Farms have voted 78% in favour of accepting the company’s final offer bringing numerous improvements to their Collective Agreement. 

Some of the highlights of the ratified offer include the following:

• A five-year deal, expiring February 28^th, 2025;
• Implementation of a sunset clause (a timeline for removal of discipline from an employee’s record);
• Improved Health and Safety Committee language;
• Enhanced dignity and respect language;
• No reprisal or retaliation language when making a complaint to the company;
• Improved union representation language;
• Improved bereavement language and entitlement;
• Increased night shift premium;
• Language detailing pay and classifications of relief employees, including minimum pay rates for weeks where coverage is required;
• Three paid personal and family responsibility leave days;
• Increased vacation compensation for employees with 20, 25 and 30 years of employment;
• Shortened benefit enrolment to 90 days;
• Removed termination of benefits for members 65 years and older;
• Introduction of orthodontics to benefit coverage;
• Increases to dental, health care spending account, and vision care;
• Increases to boot and tool allowance;
• Wage adjustments, in addition to annual increases for all employees between $1.00 and $3.00, taking effect before the wage increases and retroactively paid to the expiration of the contract;
• Wage increases of 13.75% over five years:
  • March 1^st, 2021,   3.00%
  • March 1^st, 2022,   3.00%
  • March 1^st, 2023,   3.00%
  • March 1^st, 2024,   2.25%
  • March 1^st, 2025,   2.50%
• Upon ratification, all employees would proceed to March 1^st, 2023, rates.  Retro pay to the contract’s expiration is also included and should be paid before Christmas;

The annual increases and adjustments equate to a gain between 13% – 17% upon ratification for the members.

We believe your solidarity and support through this process have been vital in helping your Negotiating Committee achieve its results. We want to thank everyone who participated in this process.  

In Solidarity, your Union Negotiating Committee,
Devin Yeager (Spokesperson), Cam Howey (Union Representative), Jesus Amaya, Troy Araki, Keith Gettman, David Ell, and Mike Joslin.

For a printable version of this document, click here.

Posted on: December 07,2022