Alexander Keith’s retail and tour workers in Halifax have taken significant steps in their recently ratified first collective agreement. There are approximately 20 workers in the bargaining unit. They unanimously voted to form a union SEIU Local 2 last year, and in doing so joined well over 1,000 brewery workers across the country in the 20,000 strong local.
Over the next 15 months, tour workers will see their wage increase 16.1%, and retail workers 8.1%.
“Through unionizing, we are learning what it means to have a collective voice in the workplace and in society, and how best to use that voice to fight for a better future for all of us,” said Joel Hughes McKay, one of the tour workers.
Workers also secured pay for two new statutory holidays, additional money for their pensions and premium pay for the “lead hands.”
“This is a good start for us,” said Emma Perry, one of the retail workers. “But we’re looking forward to negotiating more improvements in just two short years.”
