CANADA – In Guelph, Ontario, close to 1,000 employees at the Cargill meat processing facility have initiated a strike, citing a disagreement over wages.

The workers, represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW), left their posts at the Dunlop plant on Monday, May 27.

This action follows the rejection of a proposed settlement, with 82% of the union members voting against it.

The settlement was the result of negotiations between Cargill and the UFCW.

The strike mandate itself was overwhelmingly supported by the workforce, with 99% endorsing it in a vote conducted in April.

According to the UFCW, key issues raised during the negotiations included rising living costs and the discontinuation of a US$2 per hour pandemic pay increase, which workers lost despite the ongoing impact of COVID-19.

Cargill has defended its proposed settlemen – a company spokesperson highlighted that the agreement included annual wage increases over a four-year period, starting with a 9.3% raise in the first year.

Additionally, the settlement offered retroactive pay from January 1, 2024, enhanced benefits, and a signing bonus.

The Dunlop facility, which employs approximately 950 people, processes around 1,500 cattle daily and produces private-label case-ready meat products for retail customers across Canada.

The plant’s output includes poultry, pork, beef sausages, and ground beef.

Kelly Tosato, president of UFCW’s Local 175 branch, emphasized the significance of the workers’ roles.

 “Our members at Cargill Dunlop are crucial to maintaining a vital supply chain that ensures people have food on their tables every day,” Tosato said.

She noted the difficulty of the decision to strike but affirmed the union’s commitment to supporting the workers until a satisfactory agreement is reached.

“These members are not content with the company’s offer, and we stand with them until their efforts and dedication are appropriately recognized,” Tosato added.

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