The union representing 3,700 frontline grocery workers at 27 Metro Inc. stores across the Greater Toronto Area has ratified a collective agreement that includes pension and benefits gains.
The agreement was reached following a month-long strike by workers at the 27 stores. It includes an enhanced future service pension credit for full-time workers, increasing by $2 to $54 for credited service. For part-time workers, the credit will increase by $2 to $19 for credited service. The first increase for both will be $1 on July 1, 2027, followed by a second $1 increase on July 1, 2028.
Full-time workers who are aged 55 and older and who elect early retirement within one year of ratification will have vision, medical and drug benefits — including spouses and dependants — covered until they reach age 65.
Read: Metro, Unifor deal includes DB pension benefit increase
The per-visit limit for all eligible paramedical practitioners will increase by $25 to $75, effective Sept. 1, 2023. Eye exam coverage will increase by $10 to $50 and optical benefits will increase by $75 to a maximum of $275 within a period of two consecutive calendar years, effective Sept. 1.
In addition, a new paid sick leave program will be available to part-time workers who have completed five years of service and who have worked at least 600 hours in the previous calendar year, effective Jan. 1, 2024. The contract also contains an overall wage increase of $4.50 per hour for full-time and senior part-time workers and $3.20 for non-senior part-time workers.
In other news, the union representing roughly 250 workers at Windsor Salt Ltd. has ratified a five-year collective agreement that includes benefits gains.
The contract includes a $25 increase to chiropractic/massage and vision benefits agreed to in year one, four and five for retirees and active employees. A cost-of-living adjustment will be folded in and form a new base rate as of Feb. 15, 2026. Employees will also see wage increases of up to $4.60 per hour over the term of the agreement.
Read: Community Support Centre, Unifor agreement includes group RRSP, benefits gains