UFCW Canada Local 1006A members working at Baton Rouge in Ottawa recently voted to ratify their first-ever union contract with gains for all workers.
Ratified on July 19, 2016, the contract runs from May 15, 2016 to May 14, 2019 and covers 65 members.
Gains for the membership include:
- Improvements to scheduling (ability to pick shifts based on seniority)
- Gratuity for Banquets for staff involved (previously no gratuity was given for banquets)
- Improved vacation pay above and beyond the Employment Standards Act (previously, vacation pay was based on ESA)
- Reduced member contributions to Health & Welfare costs
- Workers now have a grievance procedure, to help them if their rights under the collective agreement are being violated
- Payouts of tips in cash twice a week (previously members would have to wait a long time to receive their tips)
- The service charge will be determined and distributed by the committee members and not the company. This is a first in the restaurant industry.
“As the union for restaurant workers in Ontario, UFCW Canada Local 1006A is proud to have achieved this excellent first agreement for our newest members at Baton Rouge,” said Wayne Hanley, President of UFCW Canada Local 1006A.
“When workers come together through their union, they have a tremendous ability to create change in their workplace. Thank you to our membership for your support and to our bargaining committee for your outstanding work.”
Negotiations were led by Frank Ragni, Executive Assistant to the President, together with union representative Joe Blythe, and members, John Conway and Andrew Lach.
“This is the first Baton Rouge we organized and what we achieved with our newest members is something great,” said Ragni. “We are proud to have negotiated a first-of-a-kind collective agreement with gains for everyone.”
