Bulletin
A long-awaited agreement at Joseph Ribkoff Creations

After months of discussions, concessions, calculations and careful consideration, the new collective agreement at Joseph Ribkoff Creations was signed this morning.

Joseph Ribkoff Creations is not just any company. Founded in Montreal in 1957, the company built its reputation in the fashion industry by focusing on quality, elegance and craftsmanship. Behind every garment that crosses borders, there are skilled hands, personal journeys and lived stories. We often speak of the timeless elegance of the designs. We speak less about the people who, day after day, ensure production, coordination, logistics and the maintenance of quality standards.

At the general assembly, members voted 95% in favour of ratifying the agreement. A clear and overwhelming endorsement that reflects a vibrant democratic process and the confidence placed in the rigorous work carried out by the bargaining committee and their union representative, José Bazin.

Five years of stability and tangible improvements

The new collective agreement, which spans five years, provides for a 2.5% wage increase in each year of the agreement. In an economic climate where the cost of living continues to weigh heavily on households, this annual progression offers essential predictability and helps protect purchasing power.

But the gains do not stop there.

The employer will increase its contribution to the pension plan from 4.5% to 5% of base salary. While half a percentage point may seem modest at first glance, over the course of a career it represents thousands of additional dollars and a more secure retirement.

Members have also secured improvements that directly impact quality of life:

• December 26 recognized as a paid statutory holiday
• One additional paid sick day, increasing from 5 to 6 days
• An additional week of vacation after 3 years of seniority, increasing from 3 to 4 weeks
• Two additional weeks of vacation after 20 years of seniority, bringing the total to 5 weeks
• An increase in vacation pay after 20 years of seniority, from 10% to 12% of salary

The agreement also ensures that the lowest wage rates will always remain at least $0.75 above the minimum wage. This wage floor prevents a race to the bottom and concretely recognizes the value of the work performed.

In addition, several premiums have been significantly improved:

• The training premium increases from $1.00 to $3.00 per hour
• The meal allowance increases from $11 to $20

These adjustments recognize expertise, commitment and the day-to-day realities of the workplace.

A collective victory

This agreement demonstrates that collective bargaining remains a powerful tool to secure real, structural and lasting gains. Today, at Joseph Ribkoff, five years of stability and concrete improvements begin.

Behind every improved clause stands mobilization, honest discussions and a solidarity that held steady throughout the process.

Stronger together. Always.