Download - UFCW, Local 832

Lucerne Bread Plant members
vote for strike action
Turn down company’s last offer, hopes of a deal fading.
The Lucerne bread plant employees
voted on June 20 to turn down the
company’s last offer and voted 90 per
cent in favour of strike action.
They have been negotiating for a new
collective agreement since November 2009
and after nine days of bargaining both sides
are still far apart on mnay issues.
The company has been telling the union
that they are losing money and cannot
afford to do much in terms of wages. The
union has requested to see the company’s
books to verify their finances but, so far, the
company has refused.
Lucerne bread plant members pack the training centre for their strike vote.
Many of the workers are long-standing
employees and most have not seen a wage
increase in over nine years.
UFCW Local 832 president Robert Ziegler
fears that a strike may occur but remains
optimistic. “I’m pretty sure the company has
been pleading poverty since I first worked
there over 30 years ago. Unless they are
prepared to make a real offer, the members
could be walking the picket line before the
end of summer,” stated Ziegler.
The union remains hopeful that a strike
can be averted and the company has agreed
to three additional days of bargaining
from July 13 to 15. The union negotiating
committee is looking for the company to
address wages and pension during these
rounds of talks.
Members from the bread plant will have
an opportunity to vote on the company’s last
offer before a strike would commence.
G4S Security members ratify first agreement
It has been a long process but the UFCW
Local 832 members working for G4S
Security now have their first collective
agreement.
In May 2009 the union was certified as
the bargaining agent for the members and
started negotiations. Realizing quickly that
the company was dragging their feet, the
union applied for conciliation in September.
With little movement made in negotiations,
the union met with the members to vote on
applying to the labour board to impose a
first contract in January.
“Were very difficult negotiations because
the industry is cut throat,” stated UFCW
Local 832 president Robert Ziegler. “The
members now have the frame work to build
on a better contract next year.”
Because the union applied to the
Manitoba Labour Board for a first contract,
the members will be back at the bargaining
table next spring as this contract expires
next June.
The members will now have language
for a grievance procedure, provisions in
the collective agreement for vehicle usage
and a job posting procedure. Members who
haven’t seen a wage increase will receive 25
cents per hour and they can accumulate
sick days after finishing their second year of
work.
The members voted 63 per cent in favour
of a new agreement. The local represents
approximately 115 security guards working
at G4S in Winnipeg.
Members who have questions about their
new collective agreement can speak to their
union representative, Harry Mesman at 786-
5055.
4 UNION JULY 2010