Countdown To Coopers Contract Expiry: February 28, 2009

Coopers members are already getting prepared for bargaining as the current contract expires February 28, 2009.

“We are currently bargaining with Overwaitea and Safeway,” says UFCW 1518 President Ivan Limpright, “and we are looking to make significant changes to those contracts that will improve the lives and futures for union members and their families. We look forward to working for the same goals for Coopers members when negotiations begin early next year.”

Coopers members who have any questions about the process of negotiations of your agreement please feel free to contact your Union Representative.

What is Head Office hiding from Coopers Members?

Overwaitea Food Group is up to their old tricks – and that includes leaving Coopers members in the dark when it comes to Overwaitea senior management’s future plans for the company – in all aspects.

The union has attempted to contact Overwaitea head office several times to discuss the future plans for the Coopers meat department. On every occasion, the company has refused to respond.

There are many other examples of the company’s suspicious behaviour over the last few months:

At the Coopers location in Winfield, a new hire reported he received false promises made about what the company was going to pay him. This is both highly suspicious and unacceptable.
In Vernon, the union was attempting to meet with the employer to discuss a grievance with regards to concerns a member had brought forward. As the grievance meeting began, the representative from Overwaitea head office packed up and walked out. The Union Representative, the member involved, and the Shop Stewards from the Vernon Coopers store were appalled by the company’s conduct.

Clearly, the company is trying to hide from their problems, and the membership refuses to accept it.