Members working at Swiss Chalet locations across Ontario have ratified a new union contract including many gains.
Ratification votes were held in cities across the province from November 15 to November 28, 2024.
The union negotiating committee met with Swiss Chalet over 8 days of negotiations, resisting employer proposals for contract concessions. The Memorandum of Agreement was reached with the company after a challenging conciliation session held on October 28, 2024.
"I feel good about the contract, we didn't lose anything – we still have our benefits and vacation packages," said Phyllis Hannivan, a server at the Peterborough restaurant. "Everyone works so hard and deserves everything they get."
Hannivan added that participating on the negotiating committee "was eye-opening and a learning experience."
“Congratulations to our members at Swiss Chalet on prevailing during difficult negotiations,” said President Hanley. “Despite employer demands for major concessions, our negotiating committee was able to make strong gains for our members.”
The union negotiating committee included members Brian Dulong, Kim Desroches, Phyllis Hannivan, Anita Hurley, Executive Assistant to the President Frank Ragni, and Union Representatives Tachani Bishop, Joe Blythe, Kallisha Hoyes, Diana O’Brien, and Amanmeet Singh.
Some of the contract highlights include:
- A new minimum wage plus wage scale ensuring members remain above minimum wage and benefit from any minimum wage increases
- Improved vacation entitlement
- New language to ensure members do not require a doctor’s note for absences less than 3 days
- Language to ensure that takeout staff retain their gratuities
- Added legal guardian, stepchildren and step-parents to bereavement leave
- Increase to the shoe allowance
- Additional union representation with more stewards in each location
Thank you to all members for participating in the negotiations process.
