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 

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 

Social service workers represented by the Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA) voted  85.7 per cent in favour of ratifying a new collective agreement with significant compensation increases. CSSBA is the bargaining agent for 10 unions, including UFCW 1518, representing about 15,000 members working in the community social services sector across British Columbia. “I am pleased there are some long overdue improvements to this collective agreement,” said Secretary-Treasurer Kim ...read more 

With a 100 percent YES vote, UFCW 1518 members at the Sointula Co-op on Malcolm Island ratified a new collective agreement last month. The Sointula Co-op is the oldest unionized co-op in Canada and is an essential part of the Sointula community. This latest round of bargaining dovetailed with something workers had been advocating for years: building a new store in place of the current one, which is over ...read more