The union representing 225 part-time workers at Metro Inc. warehouses in Etobicoke, Ont. has ratified a three-year agreement that includes multiple benefits gains.
Unifor members voted overwhelmingly in favour of a collective agreement that includes a prescription drug plan for all eligible part-time workers. The plan offers single coverage with a three-year maximum of $6,000, a $5 deductible per script, 100 per cent coverage for generic drugs, 90 per cent for brand name drugs and no upfront fees if they use a Metro pharmacy.
The agreement also guarantees an added personal leave day, vision increases to an 80 per cent co-pay and a premium increase from $250 to $300.
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“This plan is groundbreaking because of the access for part-time workers, as the warehouse never had that previously,” says Len Poirier, interim assistant to the Unifor national president. “All part-time workers at the warehouse will have the hours to qualify, where sometimes part-time workers in the retail stores might not get to that threshold.”
Employees will also receive an immediate pay increase of $4.05 per hour with a total gain of $5.55 over the agreement. The top pay rate will increase by $4.65 an hour with a total gain of $6.15. The new hire start rate moves from $17.45 to $21.50 and will reach a starting rate of $23 as of Sept. 29, 2025.
“We’re very happy to be able to achieve these enhancements,” says Poirier. “For all workplaces, and warehouses specifically, recruiting and retention is an issue, so we think this will go a long way to [assist] with that.”
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