No Frills workers have new contract in place

A new deal is officially in place for workers at the Canadian-based No Frills within 17 stores.

Over 1,200 workers ratified a deal with Canadian-based retailer Loblaw Companies Limited — one that will provide higher wages and an increase in the number of full-time jobs among other perks.

Wages will go up between $3.20 and $4.50 an hour for all workers over the duration of the agreement and 30 full-time positions will open up over the course of one year. Part-time workers also will have a new benefits program.

Over the next five months, full-time workers will earn $2 an hour more and part-time workers will receive an additional $1.50 an hour.

“Our union’s fight is to improve wages and working conditions for grocery store workers. I am very proud of the work of our bargaining committee at No Frills who fought hard for this deal for their members,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Grocery workers across Canada deserve fair wages and work, and a union is the best way to get there. We have so much to do to achieve improvements for all retail workers, but our union will never stop this fight.”

Loblaw is coming off a solid third quarter where it saw revenue increase 5% year-over-year and food retail same-store sales increase 4.5%. Adjusted gross profit stood at just over $5.1 billion.

Related:Loblaw claims Canada’s ‘code of conduct’ will cost consumers $1B

Grocery workers in Canada are saying that they want a piece of that financial success, especially as inflation continues to grip Canadian family budgets.

“No Frills workers, like any worker grappling with the affordability crisis we’re in, recognize that we have to push hard in order get these huge, highly profitable employers like Loblaw to budge,” said Unifor Local 414 President Gord Currie. “These members were united in their demand to get their fair share of Loblaw’s soaring profits.”

“We value our store teams and their efforts to help us serve our communities every day. We’re pleased that the agreement has been ratified and that customers can continue to rely on us for affordable food options, particularly as we go into the holiday season," Loblaw said in an email statement to Supermarket News. 

Striking Metro workers closed 27 stores around the Toronto area for five weeks before a new deal was reached that included higher wages and benefits. Loblaw also came to terms with workers at Loblaws and Canada Superstore. Safeway employees in British Columbia also agreed to a new deal. 

The union said it will now focus attention on a new contract for over 1,600 Loblaw-owned Dominion stores in Newfoundland and Labrador.