RISE UP FOR DAIRY WORKERS

by Paul Barton, Director, Dairy Division

Teamster members, true professionals In the industry.

Focussing on wage enhancements

Like in many other industries, dairy companies are still complaining about difficulty filling vacancies. Their inability to attract and retain labour has led to a levelling of the playing field, forcing them to focus on training programs and increasing compensation.

Teamster local unions have been actively engaged in negotiating wage enhancements outside of regular bargaining, like at MDC Agropur in Ontario. There, Local Union 647 achieved major increases in the middle of their contract. In Alberta, Local Union 987 reported significant wage adjustments for skilled trades at Saputo Calgary and Red Deer, as well as a wage reopener with Agrifoods’ Bulk Milk Tankers. On the Prairies, Local Union 395 also reports that Saputo is offering big raises for skilled trades.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, Local Union 855 reports that Agropur is paying for a handful of their employees to attain their Class I license, and in Saskatoon there’s a renewed focus on apprenticeships. Because when companies can’t get what they need from outside, they need to look to within.

Shortages on the management side have led to some disruption for Local Union 855, where the lack of a local HR manager at Agropur has business agents trying to address workplace issues with managers from outside the province. In BC, Agropur had no HR rep, for several months, leading to a backlog of grievances. Fortunately for our members at Local Union 464, we are now getting caught up on these matters.

Of course, Teamster representatives countrywide continue to negotiate some of the strongest agreements in the industry. After ratifying excellent deals at Gay Lea foods and Intercounty Milk Drivers, Local Union 647 was next in bargaining with the London Nestles Ice Cream plant, hoping to achieve a renewal agreement this spring. In Saskatchewan, Local Union 395 members at Agrifoods ratified a new deal with many improvements, including seniority rights and pension increases.

Agrifoods in Red Deer bought out an independent milk-hauling operation, adding several additional Teamster jobs. A major expansion in Saskatoon will see more automation, but also more Teamster jobs. And the recent expansion of the Nestles plant in London will also be creating a number of good Teamster jobs at Local Union 647.

On the international trade front, the Dairy Division remains vigilant as Canada faces continued challenges. The United States has renewed a complaint against our industry’s structure and now New Zealand has filed their own complaint. It’s too early to tell how this will play out.

Finally, I note that the continued reduction in milk consumption has forced many producers to look at new products to achieve their profitability targets. Saputo will have a focus on increasing their plant-based offerings, produced in BC, in competition with another BC employer, Earth’s Own/Happy Planet, who have gone all-in on alternatives to dairy.

Teamster members, true professionals in the industry, help us strive to negotiate some of the leading agreements in North America. They do us proud.