Unifor National

November 20, 2021

AJAX–Unifor has elevated pay, benefits and working conditions for 1,000 warehouse workers at the Loblaw  Distribution Centre in Ajax, Ontario with the negotiation of a new four-year collective agreement.

“This is a landmark contract in the warehouse sector, with an increase of almost 16% in the start rate and an increase of 11-14% for the other wage classifications over the lifetime of the agreement,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “The gains in this agreement, including a significant increase in RRSP co-payments, signing bonuses, higher shift premiums and added vacation for longer serving workers, will make a real difference to these workers and raise standards across the industry.”

The collective agreement, which expires February 15, 2026, was accepted in a ratification vote by the Unifor Local 222 members.

Highlights of the four-year agreement:

• Warehouse start rate increased by $3 an hour from $19 – $22
• All other Wage Classifications increase 11%  – 14% over four years
• Signing Bonus of $2,000 for members with four years or more and $1,000 for those with three years or less, including part-time workers.
• Company RRSP contribution for workers with more than five years service increased from 3.5% to 5%
• Additional week of vacation added for workers with 15 years of service, for a total of five weeks vacation.
• Benefit upgrades to vision, dental, hearing and boot allowance
• Shift Premium increase
• The creation off a Racial Justice Advocate

“The bargaining committee took a comprehensive approach to deliver an agreement that addresses all aspects of the job, from compensation, to working conditions, to benefits, to improve the lives of our members and their families,” said Kyle Coughlan, Unifor Local 222 Bargaining Chair.