Negotiations Begin with ADM
Your union bargaining committee recently met with ADM to start talks for renewing the union contract. We gathered in Calgary on January 16th and 17th, 2025.
Union Proposals
After some initial delays, both sides exchanged proposals. The union’s proposals focus on improving your working conditions, increasing compensation, and enhancing your rights and benefits.
We also gathered suggestions from you through surveys and proposal meetings, which are then turned into a formal proposal for the employer to consider.
You can view the union’s proposals HERE.
Company Proposals
The company’s proposals, unfortunately, seek to take away rights and benefits. Some of the key issues include:
- Removal of Personal Days (Floaters) and Statutory Holidays
- Drastic cuts to severance pay (potentially costing some employees over $40,000)
- Removing Lab Staff from the union, taking away their protections
- Eliminating the Education and Training Fund
- Freezing Plant Wide Utility wages
- Extending the sunset clause from 4 years to 6 years
Don’t just take our word for it, read the company’s proposals HERE.
These are just the initial proposals, and we are still far from an agreement. With the ongoing affordability crisis in Alberta, we believe the company’s opening positions should have been more reflective of that crisis.
As President Thomas Hesse of UFCW Local 401 stated, “The affordability crisis in Alberta has placed significant pressure on working families, and these contract negotiations should be a chance to address those struggles, not make them worse. The company’s proposals, which seek to strip away benefits and reduce compensation, are completely out of touch with the challenges our members are facing every day. As we continue bargaining, we are committed to ensuring that any new contract fairly reflects the rising cost of living and supports the well-being of our workers, not just the company’s bottom line.”
Secretary Treasurer Richelle Stewart also emphasized the importance of standing firm. “Our members have been facing increased costs of living, and the company’s proposals show a lack of understanding of the financial strain many are under. We cannot allow them to take away hard-won benefits and protections. This is about standing up for what’s fair and ensuring that our workers are treated with the respect they deserve.”
The members of the Bargaining Team are working diligently at the negotiations table. Stay tuned for further updates.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to your union bargaining committee or Kyle Sandau, your Union Labour Relations Officer.
Posted on: February 04,2025