Ongoing Negotiations

August 24, 2010

NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE

Western Waffles

Western Waffles members have overwhelmingly voted to reject a mediated settlement. Over 67 percent of members voted against the memorandum at a meeting held sunday. The settlement was reached with the assistance of mediator Grant McArthur and only after a strike vote had been taken. We have contacted the Company and informed them of the result and have begun making strike preparations.

Okanagan Tree Fruit

The Mediator has ruled on all the outstanding issues and we are now in the process or developing language to reflect the new scheduling practice currently in place. At that point we will put everything together and distribute the agreement.

RCSS/ Western Grocers/ Corporate Extra Foods- Lets Get Back to the Table

As we have previously communicated, when negotiations ground to a halt late last year for RCSS, Corporate Extra Foods and Wholesale Club members, much of it had to do with the uncertainy surrounding the Canadian Commercial Workers Industry Pension Plan ("CCWIPP"). We now know what we need to accomplish regarding the future of the Plan and we have sent the Company a letter inviting them back to the bargaining table. We know that the negotiations in Ontario for the three Locals in continuing but we think we need to get on with things here. We will uupdate you after we speak to the Company representatives.

You can view a copy of the letter we sent here- Letter to Company - 441 KB

Aramark

The Company and the Negotiating Committee exchanged proposals in the opening meeting held August 17th. We are in the process of confirming additional dates.

Premium Brands

Initial meeting was held on August 18th with further dates scheduled for September 8th and 9th.

RCSS/ Western Grocers/ Corporate Extra Foods

It has been since late September of 2009 that we have been at the bargaining table with Loblaws for a new agreement for our RCSS/Western Grocers and Corporate Extra Foods members. We recently mailed out a four page update to let members know what has been happening and what to expect. In the document we also give members information on the status of the Canadian Commercial Workers Industry Pension Plan (CCWIPP) as well as general information on Pension Plans, how they work, and why this issue is so important.

The newsletter was mailed out at the beginning of May and members may also view a copy by clicking here- UFCW_04_10_Newsletter.pdf

New Agreement for Centennial Foods

UFCW Local 247 members employed at Centennial Foods ratified a new 5 year collective agreement on Saturday April 10th. The new deal was accepted by 71% of members and contains improvements in bereavement, benefits, job posting language, yearly increases and contributions to the CCWIPP Stabilization Fund.