Members working at IGA in Port McNeil ratified a new collective agreement by a strong majority last week after more than a year of bargaining. The deal comes after a long, uphill battle, including three rounds of mediation at the BC Labour Relations Board. But the 60-member bargaining unit stood their ground, rejecting the employer’s first offer and taking a successful strike vote. “Our members know what they are ...read more 

With an overwhelming YES vote, UFCW 1518 members at Stong’s Market in Dunbar ratified the re-opener of their collective agreement last week. Stong’s Market has a long history in British Columbia, building their original storefront in 1955 on Dunbar St. Buy the 1960s, Stong’s was a five-store grocery chain, with workers represented by UFCW 1518. It was a tough round of bargaining that required assistance from mediator Grant McArthur. “The ...read more 

After three months of bargaining, UFCW 1518 members working at Source Office Furniture in Burnaby unanimously ratified a four-year collective agreement. The deal is only the second collective agreement for this 26-member bargaining unit consisting of drivers, machine operators, assemblers and service people and represents significant improvements over their previous non-union wages and working conditions. “Since joining UFCW 1518, these members have made great gains in wages, benefits and ...read more 

About 65 UFCW 1518 members working at Snowcrest Foods ratified a strong renewal agreement yesterday after five months of bargaining. The four-year deal made significant strides toward achieving wage parity between two pay schedules. About 85 percent of the 63-member bargaining unit are covered by the lower paid Schedule B. Under the renewed agreement, these members will receive a wage hike of between 34-54 percent over four years. The ...read more 

Waiting is the name of the game in the ongoing Section 106 proceedings with Sobeys, owner of 60 Safeway stores across British Columbia. The union submitted its latest set of proposals to Special Officer Vince Ready two weeks ago, after which the employer had an opportunity to respond. Mr. Ready must then review all of the submissions and sometime following that he will render his decision. “I know how ...read more