Workers at Brandon’s Maple Leaf food processing plant have voted in favour of a new collective agreement.
The new five-year deal saw support from 63.5 percent of employees, represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 832.
The new agreement sees wage improvements from $1.95 to $2.65 per hour over the life of the agreement. Along with other monetary improvements to premiums, pension and vacations members will see other improvements to contract language.
“This is a strong contract for the members, and it also shows that Maple Leaf is working on stabilizing its workforce,” said UFCW Local 832 President Jeff Traeger. “With changes to the use of temporary foreign workers and hog shortages for the company, this contract is the first step in getting the plant back to full operation.”
Workers will also get a new cafeteria built to enjoy their breaks. Currently staff lose time crossing the plant floor to access the break down.
