UFCW 1518 and Overwaitea Food Group returned to the bargaining table on Monday and Tuesday this to continue negotiations for the reopener of the collective agreement. Talks broke off April 6 after 40 days of bargaining had failed to advance discussions to monetary items.

This week, talks focused on non-monetary issues, including scheduling. “Our members were very clear during the union’s bargaining outreach last fall,” said President Ivan Limpright. “They told us their top priorities for scheduling were maintaining pre-1997 scheduling rights, consecutive days off work for all employees, and fair rotation of evening shifts among post-1997 employees to name a few. Another key priority is fewer silo departments with all employees on one schedule in cross-classification.”

Limpright added: “Members also told us that more flexibility to reduce the high number of schedule changes after the schedule is posted is important to them.”

The union bargaining committee expects a response on scheduling from the employer when negotiations resume. No further bargaining dates have been confirmed as of today. “In the meantime, the bargaining committee will continue to work. They met yesterday and today and will meet again on Wednesday to prioritize the outstanding non-monetary and monetary proposals.”