Hiram Walker & Sons Ltd. and Unifor Local 2027 have ratified a four-year collective agreement that includes moving to a defined contribution plan for future hires.
The union, which represents 137 production and skilled trades workers at the distillery in Windsor, Ont., noted in a news release that 66 per cent of union membership voted in favour of the new deal. The agreement was reached six weeks before the former one was due to expire.
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While no additional details were provided, the deal also includes improvements to health-care benefits, 30 voluntary retirement incentive packages over the life of the contract, an early signing bonus of $3,000 and wage increases at two per cent per year.
“We are very pleased to have reached this important agreement with Unifor,” said Jim Stanski, vice-president of operations for Pernod Ricard North America, the company’s parent. “Our employees are at the core of our business and of everything we do here at Hiram Walker and this agreement provides a good platform on which we can build a healthy and globally-competitive manufacturing business in Windsor.”
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