Strong Show of Solidarity brings new Members to the Union

A Strong Show of Solidarity by employees at Direct Coil

A difficult three-month campaign for workers at Direct Coil Inc ended with a victory for the newest members of UFCW Local 175. Approximately 100 full-time employees work at the plant located in the small, close-knit community of Millhaven.

The Keys at the workplace were particularly solid. They took great pride in their efforts to bring the benefits of belonging to a Union to their co-workers. Even when the employer fired one of the Keys, it didn’t stop him from continuing to help with the campaign. In fact, co-workers took up a collection out of their own pockets to help that worker when he was fired.

Despite a number of challenges and a lot of misinformation that circulated during the campaign, the employees stood strong and won.

“This group of workers is a real community that looks out for each other,” said Local 175 Organizer Ricardo Bocanegra. “Most importantly, they stayed united throughout the campaign and really demonstrated what solidarity looks like in action. It took everyone working together to achieve this victory, so I’m very proud of their achievements.”

Some of the newest Union Members at UFCW Local 175 from Direct Coil in Millhaven.

Employees listed a number of concerns that drove them to seek Union membership. The workers want to achieve fairer wages, better job security, respect and dignity at work, benefits, and improved workplace health, plus put an end to favourtism and harassment.

The vote to join the Union took place on April 18.

Another 30 CLS Catering employees vote to join

These new Union members can unite with 170 CLS Catering workers who already enjoy the benefits of belonging to UFCW.

“These employees felt overworked and underpaid,” said Organizer Amy Tran. “Plus, they saw that their Unionized co-workers paid far less for their health benefits as well. They wanted to secure the same kinds of rights and improvements the others had found with our Union.”

Jobs for the full-time employees include flight coordinators, checkers, and account managers for CLS Catering at Pearson Airport.

East Metro Youth Services

Recently, several employees at East Metro Youth Services decided to approach our Union out of frustration over a number of workplace concerns.

This diverse group of 120 workers wanted a more equitable experience at work and the ability to hold their employer more accountable. The employees at the facility provide youth mental health and other care services to their clients. Their existing work environment made it difficult for employees to enjoy and manage their important work out in the Toronto community.

Job security, discrimination and favouritism, health and safety, plus wages, benefits, and pension all made the list of concerns brought to the Union by these workers.

“This campaign was a great example that the power of the people is greater than the people in power,” said Organizer Ricardo Bocanegra. “The workers at East Metro decided to seize that power and become part of our Union. It was a great honour to work with such a devoted group of individuals. I’m proud to see them join our Union family.”

There are 77 full-time and 43 part-time staff at East Metro Youth Services who form the bargaining unit. The members will now start working toward a first collective agreement.

In addition, they will benefit from Local 175’s strong presence in the industry. They join several thousand health and community care workers in the Local 175 Health, Office, and Professional Employee (HOPE) sector.

Jobs include:

• Family and Individual Therapists,

• Youth Outreach Workers,

• Child Youth Workers,

• Clerical and Administrative staff,

• Intake and Data Management positions, as well as;

• Psychologists.

PSWs find a home with Local 175

Recently, 50 Personal Support Workers (PSWs) with the Victorian Order of Nurses for Canada became members of UFCW Local 175.

The 38 full-time and 12 part-time PSWs work in community health and supportive housing throughout Elgin County in Southwest Ontario.

The employees’ concerns included pension issues and job security. In addition, most of the Victorian Order of Nurses’ other employee classifications already belong to Unions.

A number of the PSWs had previous experience working in a unionized environment as well, so they knew the benefits that belonging to a Union can bring. Other concerns included benefits, health and safety, and favouritism.

“It was a long journey and the workers faced many challenges. It was especially difficult to identify all of the employees since there is no centralized work location. But, our main supporters did a great job. They showed that with enough determination, change is possible,” said Local 175 Organizer Ricardo Bocanegra.

PSWs from the Victorian Order of Nurses in Elgin County pose for a photo!

The PSWs join the many nurses, PSWs, and other health care providers of the Health, Office and Professional Employees (HOPE) sector at Local 175.