Super One/Mount Royal Negotiations Urgent Update: 9/19/2025

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An urgent update for all members of Miners Super One: The Company is proposing a significant change to our health benefits. Miners Super One is advocating for leaving the current Union Health Fund and transitioning to a private, Company-provided insurance plan. This is a critical issue that requires our full attention and a clear understanding of the implications.

This proposal to move away from our Health Fund and towards a private plan presents several serious negatives for our members. The key benefit of a Union-provided health fund is the collective bargaining power it provides. The Union negotiates with health care providers and insurers on behalf of all its members, securing more comprehensive coverage at a lower cost per person. A private, Company-sponsored plan lacks this power, which can lead to:

Higher Costs: Private plans often have higher premiums, deductibles, and co-pays for employees. The Employer may contribute less to the overall cost, shifting a greater financial burden onto us.
Limited Coverage and Flexibility: A private plan is designed by the Company, not by us. This can result in a more restrictive network of doctors and hospitals, limiting our choices for care. Benefits may be less comprehensive, with certain services or treatments not covered at all.
Loss of Control: With a private plan, the Company has the power to change benefits, adjust premiums, and alter the provider network at any time. A Union health fund is a collectively-bargained benefit, giving us a say in its structure and administration.
Vulnerability During Disputes: A Union-provided health fund is a source of security during a labor dispute. It ensures that members continue to have access to health care, a crucial tool that employers often leverage to pressure workers. A private plan can be terminated by the Company, leaving us without coverage during a strike or lockout.

A Union-provided health fund is superior because it prioritizes the well-being of the members over the Company's profit margin. It is a system built on solidarity and collective power, ensuring that all members, regardless of their individual health status, have access to high-quality, affordable care.

In addition to this proposal from Miners Super One, Scott from Mt. Royal Fine Foods, a key participant in our negotiations, was a no-show. We learned later that Super One told him not to attend.

Moving forward, Mt. Royal will be negotiating alone. If you work there, and are interested in joining the negotiating committee, please let Alyssa, Tuan or Chance know.

We will continue to fight for our rights and for the benefits we have worked so hard to secure.

Stay united, stay informed, and be prepared to take action.