Members of UFCW Local 1445 who work at Gorton’s Seafood in Gloucester, Mass., ratified a new three-year contract earlier this month.
The approximately 240 employees make frozen fish sticks and similar products and are the primary supplier of McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish sandwiches for the East Coast. Sanitation and other roles at the processing plant are also covered by the agreement.
Following the theme of “no givebacks,” negotiators improved on their previous contract with meaningful wage increases, superior health insurance, more flexible paid time off policies, and clearer language around scheduling Saturday work by seniority. These hard-fought wins were secured after the company’s first offer was overwhelmingly rejected.
“They’ve tried their best to divide us, but together we are one strong voice,” said Vanessa Estabrook, UFCW Local 1445 shop steward and elected committee member.