NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE

After four and half months of collective bargaining, local 12R24 has reached a Memorandum of Agreement on behalf of our members who work at the beer stores and distribution centres around the province.  The agreement was reached on Sunday, March 20, 2005 after six days of intense round the clock negotiations.  The sixteen regional vice presidents who make up the local executive board were in attendance throughout the last week and were of great assistance in reaching the agreement.  The bargaining committee and the executive board have unanimously endorsed the tentative agreement and will be recommending its acceptance.

We will be meeting later this week to present the tentative agreement to the provincial stewards after which the details of the memorandum will be released.  Ratification votes will be scheduled in all areas over the next three weeks. 

Without getting into the details of the agreement, it reflects substantial gains for all classes of employees in both wages and benefits as well as improved chances for advancement to full time positions.  A strong message has been sent to the Employer that our member’s contributions must be respected in the workplace.

Notification will be posted in your workplace informing you of where and when the ratification meetings in your area will take place and everyone should get out and vote.  These meetings should be completed by April 10th, 2005 and the results will be announced later that week.

In Solidarity,

John R. Montgomery
President, UFCW Local Union 12R24

Previous President's Reports  CLICK HERE