Canada Catering Employees Secure Wage Gains and Other Improvements with New Contract

Meaford, ON—Employees of Canada Catering Co., a division of Brown’s Fine Food Services Inc., met virtually last night and voted in favour of ratifying a new three-year collective agreement.

The employees are represented by Health Care and Service Worker Union, CLAC Local 304. The union has represented the members employed by Canada Catering since 1996.

Highlights of the new contract include guaranteed wage increases of 2.5 percent each year over the term, improved uniform allowance, enhanced scheduling provisions, and more orientation for new staff. Members also were able to protect their current sick time and health benefits.

“This was a unique round of negotiations given COVID,” says union bargaining committee member Christina Craig. Fellow bargaining committee member Jessica Bell agreed. “But through consistent dialogue with the employer, we achieved a good settlement.”

Michael Glockner and Patricia Pot, CLAC representatives who led negotiations, were pleased with the work of the bargaining committee in bringing forth the concerns of the membership. “The assistance and direction provided by our members on the union bargaining committee ensured that the interests of the entire membership were met,” says Glockner. “That helped us achieve a settlement members were happy with and approved during the ratification process.”