Nestlé workers in Toronto ratify new deal
Workers at Nestlé’s plant in Toronto have ratified a new three-year contract, putting an end to a more than three-week-long strike.
Unifor said the agreement includes a significant bump in wages, pensions and health benefits.
The gains include a 3.25% wage increase in the first year, 3% in the second year and 2.25% in the last year. This contract has a $1 increase each year in the Defined Benefit Pension Plan for non-skilled yrades, and $2 in each year for Skilled Trades.
Health benefits improvements include tool allowance, vision and dental care. Working members over the age of 65 at Nestlé will now be able to access health benefits.
Fourteen contract workers (P0 classification) with the highest seniority level at ratification will be immediately moved to the P1 wage rate as full-time with full benefits.
Also, shift workers will receive 75 cents per hour on afternoon shift and 90 cents per hour on night shift.
Members ratified the contract on Wednesday (May 29).
There are 461 Local 252 members at the plant, which produces Kit Kat, Aero, and Coffee Crisp chocolate bars, as well as Smarties. They work as machine operators, bar packers, shippers and receivers, general labourers and in skilled trades.
