On March 27, 2022, UFCW Local 832’s new members from the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba (IRCOM) voted YES to their first union agreement.
IRCOM workers reached out to UFCW 832 in November 2020 to start the conversation on unionizing. Having tried unsuccessfully to join a union in the past, they had an idea of what was necessary and despite the additional challenges of COVID-19, they banded together got the job done!
“IRCOM’s bargaining committee was passionate and did an excellent job advocating for their colleagues in pursuit of a fair contract,” says union negotiator Joe Carreiro. “It’s great to see these hardworking people with a contract that prioritizes their needs in the workplace so that they can continue to support the community.”
Some highlights from IRCOM’s three-year contract include big wins from their bargaining committee, including:
- Wages increases of 3.25% in year one, 2% in year two, and 2% in year three.
- Holidays & Vacation: 14 general holidays with the option of changing up to three dates based on ethnic heritage. Ten days’ vacation to start going up to 25 at 15 years of service.
- RRSP contributions: wording in the CBA changes employees who were previously considered contract workers into permanent which results in them being able to receive $5,000 dollars in their person RRSP plan after five years as a full-time employee.
UFCW 832 represents 36 members at IRCOM who provide support for newcomers to Canada. Their work includes a wide variety of services, including transitional housing, English as an additional language, access to community services, childcare, and assistance navigating provincial and federal social services.