News

November 18th, 2011

Maple Leaf employees ratify new four-year agreement

Strong improvements to wages, pension and benefits.

UFCW Local 832 members working at the Maple Leaf Lagimodiere plant ratified their new agreement by 68 per cent. Members will receive wages increases of $1.15 to $1.75  per hour over the life of the agreement.
In addition, more than 120 members will see increases to their pay rates through the reclassification of jobs. The reclassification process will put an additional $250,000 annually into the pockets of the members affected.

Another four million dollars has been committed to cover changes with the previous pension plan.

Increases to shift premiums, meal allowance, boot and tool allowance are also in the new agreement.

“This is a great contract for our members as they have the security of a four-year collective agreement as well as monetary increases in each year. I’m proud of our negotiating committee who worked hard since bargaining started in June to make sure we had a new deal in place prior to the current contract expiring on December 31, 2011,” stated UFCW Local 832 President Jeff Traeger.

During negotiations, Maple Leaf announced a new $85 million dollar expansion to the Lagimodiere plant that will be completed in 2012. The 70,000 square foot expansion will house an on-site waste water pre-treatment facility for the bacon and value-added ham products. Over 350 new jobs will be created at the plant and will be covered under this collective agreement.