The Loblaws Great Food and Superstore contract expires July 1st, 2015 – and your union is preparing for negotiations with Loblaw. Your union reps and stewards have been speaking with members in stores across Ontario on why it so important that you engage with the bargainnig process. One of the first steps is submitting a bargaining proposal form which are circulating in stores and are available online.
Additionally, we are asking our members to consider joining UFCW Canada’s National Defence Fund (NDF). The NDF is essentially a national strike fund that provides picket pay over and above what you would also receive from the International and Canadian Council when on strike or lock-out. Individual bargaining units vote to join and benefit from the NDF. The fund provides additional support when you and your co-workers need it most.
Voting times and locations have been scheduled throughout the province for all Great Food and Superstore members to have their say on joining the NDF. Poll time and locations are listed below – we look forward to seeing you there!
*You must bring a form of photo ID, or other generally accepted form of identification in order to vote.
NINE THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE NATIONAL DEFENCE FUND
The NDF is essentially a national strike fund that individual bargaining units can vote to join and benefit from. It provides the support you need when you need it most. As we prepare for bargaining for Loblaws Great Food and Real Canadian Superstores for 2015, we encourage you to learn more about the advantages of joining the NDF.
- It strengthens your position during bargaining in an effort to prevent strikes and lockouts.
- Joining the NDF demonstrates to the company that you are serious about bargaining and prepared for a labour dispute. Employers see that you have a sense of security knowing the money is coming in, as well as additional benefits and services.
- Payments to the NDF, like union dues, are completely tax deductible – the fund is admistered by the experienced NDF Administration Committee.
- Provides financial support during a strike or lockout for items such as: portable toilets, trailers, generators, coffee, firewood, barrels, picket signs, legal fees, leaflets and promotional materials, and media ads for public awareness campaigns.
- The NDF has different contribution levels. For a toonie/week, the picket pay benefit would be $200/week for a member who works full-time. For a loonie/week, the picket pay benefit would be $100/week for a member who works part-time.
- NDF picket pay benefits are in addition to the International and Canadian Council picket pay which would provide $160/week for full-time and $100/week for part-time workers while picketing.
- Since its creation in 1986, the NDF helped thousands of UFCW Canada members across the country and has grown to include more than 254 bargaining units as of 2013.
- Currently, 5 Local 1000A units are in the NDF, including Maple Leaf Canning, Nitta Gelatin, Kretschmar, Elbee Meat Packers, and Ryding Regency.
- If members vote in favour of joining the NDF, they are committing their bargaining unit to be a part of the fund for 5-10 years.
For more information, download the NDF Brochure here.
