Vancouver (with files from Canadian Pres and CNW) – On February 1, Rogers Sugar Inc. announced that it has reached a memorandum of agreement with the Public and Private Workers of Canada (PPWC) Local 8, the union representing the employees of the Company’s Vancouver refinery.
The five-year deal brings an end a strike that began in September. During the Christmas baking season, there were bare shelves where Rogers product was and that angered many home bakers.
This tentative agreement is subject to a ratification vote that will be held next week. Out of respect for the bargaining process, the Company will be making no further comment at this time.
The Vancouver refinery employs approximately 140 unionized workers. The unionized workers at the Vancouver refinery have been on strike since September 28, 2023.
The Vancouver refinery is operated by Lantic, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.
According to the Public and Private Workers of Canada union, the labour dispute stemmed from issues such as wages, benefits, and the company’s proposal to increase refinery operations to 24 hours a day, 365 days per year.
The refinery is one of three large sugar refining operations in Canada.
It processes raw imported cane sugar into a variety of products, including packaged white and brown sugar and remained operational throughout the strike, though at a reduced level.
“We are pleased that the workers at our Vancouver refinery have ratified this agreement, and we look forward to returning to full production in Vancouver to support our customers in Western Canada,” Rogers Sugar chief executive Mike Walton said in a statement.
