Sobeys Ontario warehouse workers negotiate big wage increases, says Unifor

WHITBY, Ont. — The union representing Sobeys warehouse workers in Ontario says they have ratified a four-year contract with “massive wage increases.”

Unifor says the agreement covering more than 500 workers at the distribution centre in Whitby includes a full-time pay increase of 19.5 per cent over four years, including $2.74 per hour or 11.3 per cent immediately, for employees with 8,000 or more hours of service.

Part-time wages increase $7 to $14 per hour over four years with junior employees getting an immediate $7-per-hour increase to earn the same hourly rate as full-time workers.

The immediate start rate increases $3.10 per hour for full-time and $7 per per hour for part-time.

Signing bonuses of $1,000 to $2,000 will be paid to those with 2,000 or more hours of service.

The grocer, owned by Empire Co. Ltd., will double its RRSP contribution to five per cent over four years and add a sixth week of vacation at 26 years of seniority.

“Through collective bargaining, we were able to deliver a strong contract that includes a considerable pay boost for existing workers as well as future hires while also levelling the playing field for our part-time members,” said Pat Twohey, Unifor Local 1090 bargaining chairman.

The new collective agreement expiring Feb. 28, 2026, was ratified Thursday by 84 per cent of those who voted.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 27, 2022.

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The Canadian Press