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Cargill Guelph Strike Ends

Cargill Guelph Strike Ends

Guelph Meat Plant Strike Settled - New Deal Approved

By Jean-Paul McDonald
Farms.com

Following a month-long work stoppage, employees represented by United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 175 have ratified a new collective agreement with Cargill.

The Cargill Guelph Dunlop facility fills 67 percent of the federally inspected processing capacity in eastern Canada. The resumption will be a relief to beef producers in Eastern Canada, who had to find source alternative facilities in Canada and the United States.

The ratified agreement delivers substantial improvements for the 960 unionized workers, including:

  • Increased Wages: A total hourly wage increase of $3.75, with $2 implemented in the first year.
  • Enhanced Benefits Package: Upgraded dental coverage valued at $2,000 annually, along with increased short-term disability payments (up to $143 more per week) and five days of bereavement leave for immediate family members.

UFCW Local 175 President Kelly Tosato commended the unwavering commitment of the union members. "While initiating a strike is a difficult decision, resolving one can be even more challenging.

The previous agreement proposed by Cargill on May 26th was not ratified by the union, triggering the strike action.

The plant began operations on Monday, July 8, however a full-time work schedule will not be immediately available for all employees.

The union will offer pro-rated strike pay for the first week to those experiencing reduced work hours.

The Guelph facility is the largest meat processing plant in Ontario, responsible for processing approximately 75% of the province's cattle (over 1,500 head daily). The return of workers signifies a positive resolution to the month-long labor dispute.


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Funds Ditch Ag Commodities, Chase Stocks Amid an End to Middle East War, & Trade Deal Buzz

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The 12-day war between Iran-Israel came to an end sending crude oil futures plunging as the big fund speculators removed the war risk premium.

The weather risk premium in the Ag complex is sending corn, wheat and soybean futures lower on month-end selling ahead of the market moving USDA quarterly grain stocks and acreage reports on June 30th.

Instead, funds were chasing and sending tech stocks higher with the S&P 500/NASDAQ indexes setting new all-time record highs!

June 1 USDA Hogs and pigs report was slightly bearish while the U.S. $ Index traded to new contract lows as the de-dollarization that began in 2014 continues.

Feed in the form of soybean meal futures for livestock producers got cheaper, trading to new contract lows.

The Stats Canada seeded acreage update was bullish canola and wheat.