Over 95 per cent of unionized workers at Craig’s Cookies voted to ratify a new employment deal set to be the first universal wage increase since 2023, the union says.
The agreement, which affects a large majority of the company’s unionized workforce, will provide bakers, shift leads and assistant managers with an immediate $1.75 to $2 hourly wage increase and an additional $1 raise in 2027. The deal also includes layoff and health and safety protections, according to GTA hospitality union UNITE HERE Local 75.
“It feels really good,” said baker Winnie Bowser, who has worked for Craig’s Cookies for four years in the Church-Wellesley Village. “As happy as I am with (the agreement), that’s reflected by everyone that I work with as well. They’re happy with it, too.”
The agreement, which impacts employees at the Leaside, Church-Wellesley, Leslieville, Parkdale and Union Station locations, comes nearly a year after 100 employees voted to unionize because of growing concerns over pay and a shift in workplace culture.
In an emailed statement, Craig’s Cookies founder Craig Pike said the company is pleased to have reached an agreement with the union and looks forward to working with the group in the future. Pike did not answer specific questions from the Star about workplace culture.
The company “really worked with us and heard all of (the employees’) concerns,” said Bowser, adding the key focus for her and the bargaining committee was fair pay.
“We really care about this company,” she said. “What (union) organizing did was just really give us a clear way for our voices to be heard among ourselves and to our employer.”
The wage increase brought by the agreement is particularly exciting, said UNITE HERE Local 75 spokesperson Daniel Janvier, noting it is seven to eight times more than the last increase of 25 cents in 2023.
“That’s due entirely to the workers pushing the company to the last day of bargaining. Standing up and saying, ‘This is what we need,’” he said.
