Food Bank donations continue again this year with $180,000 going to 60 community organizations across Ontario.
"Our Union is a part of every community that our members live in and these organizations do incredible work across the province to help combat food insecurity," said President Kelly Tosato. "We have the resources to be able to provide this much-needed support and I am proud that our Executive Board continues to endorse these donations year after year."
Watch for photos on Facebook and Instagram as this year's donations roll out, delivered in person by Executive Board Vice Presidents, members, and staff across the province, in early December. Pictured below is the Executive Board meeting on November 5, 2025.
Hunger count 2025 food banks as a Lifeline: Canada’s New normal. Food Banks Canada. (n.d.). https://content.foodbankscanada.ca/wordpress/2025/10/FBC_ HungerCount_EN_2025.pdf
Since 2019, food bank visits have increased by 124.9% in the province.
About 33% of food bank users are children.
In March 2025, nearly 2.2 million people visited food banks in Canada, surpassing the previous year's record-high.
Little Hands for a Cause Toy Drive
Each year, Executive Board Vice President Michael Collins organizes a gift drive to support Little Hands for a Cause. This organization is a charity that provides personalized and responsive support to local families whose children have been diagnosed with life-threatening or terminal illnesses. Michael is very active with the organization and it is a cause that is very close to his heart, as it is for many of our members. This year's donations can be seen here in the photos and all will go toward helping support families and their children in need during the holiday season. Thank you to everyone who donated.
President
HOPE
Director, Long-Term Care & Retirement: Sandra Ashcroft; Union Representatives: Todd Janes, Dean McLaren, Maxine Prince, Mike Windley
Director, Community Care: Sabrina Qadir; Union Representatives: Sacha Edey, Kasiobi Nwankudu, Meemee Seto; Servicing Representative: Kirsten Hansen
Region 1 Director: Tracy Stubbs; Union Representative: Alex Stubbs; Servicing Representative: Lynn Swiderski
Region 2 Director: Jason Hanley; Union Representatives: Chris Bernardi, Ricardo Bocanegra, Amanda DeMelo, Christina Mayberry, Mario Tardelli, Amy Tran
Region 3 Director: Paul Hardwick; Union Representatives: Sean Carroll, Kimberly Hunter, Damian Hulshof, Joe Tenn; Servicing Representative: Mirella Fornieri
Region 4 Directors: Matt Davenport, John DiNardo; Union Representative: Jennifer Hanley; Servicing Representatives: Maggie Brayson, Nunzio Cannistraci, Wyllan Dick, Art Gier, Patrick Griggs, Dawn Hanlon, Shirley Hepditch, Alan Reston
Region 5 Director: Derek Jokhu; Union Representatives: Arlene Robertson; Servicing Representative: Liam Aikens-Armbruster, Kelly Dick, Sharon Jones, Justin Poirier
Region 6 Directors: Sam Caetano, Mike Mattioli; Union Representatives: Dave Forbes, Chris Mayberry, Nelson Pereira, Melody Slattery, Navidad Talbot, Fred Teeple
Region 7 Director: Shannon Epp; Union Representative: John Beaton; Servicing Representatives: Julie Jodoin, Skip Pavlick
Region 8 Director: Derik McArthur; Union Representatives: Jeff Barry, Michael Bernier, Richard Eberhardt, Jim Hames, Peter Wasney
Health & Safety Director: Kelly Nicholas; Health & Safety Representative: Donna Rhodes
Legal Director: Jane Mulkewich; Paralegal: Gord Steinberg; Counsel: Christopher Jagodits, Matthew Jagodits, Ambar Reyes, Brandon Rodrigues
Organizing Director: Tony Nigro; Organizing Representatives: Alex Banaag, Joce Cote, Tim Hum, Jeffery Lu, Casey Magee; Organizing Apprentice: Gurpreet Singh
Training & Education Director: Kelly Nicholas; Servicing Representative: Teresa Wilson
Communications Coordinator: Jennifer Tunney; Communications Representatives: Gabriel Duenas, Laurie Duncan, Ashleigh Vink
Political Action & Member Engagement
Director: Debora De Angelis
Projects Coordinator: Wei Chen
What’s Inside
President Tosato’s Message
Fair Pay, Respect, and a Voice at Work: The reasons that workers keep joining the Union
Statistics Canada1 reported that the rate of unionization in the country was just 30.4% in 2023. Yet, 2023 also saw 6.6 million days not worked due to labour disputes – the highest level since 1986.
Rates of unionization fluctuate for many reasons, but one of the main ones is that some provinces, like Ontario, have made joining a Union more difficult by eliminating cardcheck certification. Instead, workers must sign a Union card, and then also vote, placing the burden on workers to prove twice that they want to join the Union.
But working people are courageous and determined. And I am happy to report that our Local Union continues to welcome more workers – over 1,000 this year already – to our great Local Union. There are many reasons our Local Union is 70,000+ members strong, and growing.
Workers continue to see the value in belonging, and understand that our Union has a strong commitment to organizing and a reliable, and substantial, servicing model.
Again and again, our Organizers find that what workers want from their employers is fairness and respect.
UFCW Locals 175 & 633 is a unifying and powerful force at the bargaining table. Joining our Union is the best first step for workers who want to build a better life for themselves, and to achieve that fairness and respect that all deserve. Your membership brings workers together in solidarity to fight for better things. Through the Union, you will find the support you need to take up these everyday battles to fight for:
• Better wages and benefits,
• The elimination of favouritism,
• A stronger workplace Health & Safety culture, and;
• Improvements to any number of issues that workers face.
The empowerment that comes from having a real voice in your working conditions cannot be underestimated.
No matter what industry, joining UFCW Locals 175 & 633 gives workers that united voice to demand respect and fairness at work.
Your Union is here to ensure that our members are informed, supported, and energized to work together and stand up for themselves and one another, knowing that the Union has your back.
You can find all of our newest members' victories online at ufcw175.com/victories, and head to page 6 in this issue to read about the recent campaign at Kinark Child & Family Services in Oshawa.
I am proud to continue to serve our wonderful members as President of this Union. I look forward to meeting many more of you in the year to come, and I hope everyone enjoys a peaceful and safe holiday season. Stay strong. In Solidarity, Kelly Tosato president@ufcw175.com 1 Government of Canada, S. C. (2024, November 26). State of the unions in Canada.
Secretary-Treasurer McLean's Message
More than $2.9 million recouped this year: Your grievance & arbitration process at work
In 2023, the top 100 CEOs in Canada were paid 210 times more than the average worker’s wage: in 1998, it was 104 times more, and in 2009, it was 150 times more.1
This enormous and growing gap in earnings is unconscionable, and is one of the many reasons that workers are turning to our Union to help them stand together and use collective bargaining to negotiate with one voice and achieve more.
And while bargaining is a vital part of having Union representation, over this past year here in Checkout, I've been talking about the many other ways that members of this Union benefit from being a part of UFCW Locals 175 & 633.
From servicing and real representation in the workplace, to having the financial resources, size, and strength to meet any challenge: your Union is here to support the members and fight for what is right.
There are many ways that your membership puts money back in your pocket every day.
From everyday representation by our field staff, to legal representation at arbitrations, and expert workers' compensation assistance when you need it for your work injury claims appeals at the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB), the Union is working for you in many ways.
In fact, despite a strike at WSIB this year that delayed some claims and appeals decisions, our Workers' Compensation staff have won back nearly $600,000 for our members who have been injured at work.
Part of what you gain as a member includes having an official grievance and arbitration procedure built into your collective agreement.
The ability to file a formal complaint that your employer is bound by the contract to deal with, is a vital part of your Union contract. It holds your boss accountable for their actions, and for any breach of your collective agreement.
So far this year, the total money recouped for our members through the grievance and arbitration process is well over $2.9 million.
But there's more to it than the impressive dollar figure alone. Day in and day out, your Union Stewards, our Representatives in the field, and every staff member across our offices work hard to ensure that our members' concerns are heard, that problems are dealt with, and that employers are held accountable.
Being a member of the Union puts power back in your hands. Workers deserve better and with the Union behind you, we can continue to achieve great things together.
With the holiday season and a new year upon us, I hope everyone finds time to rest and rejuvenate. Take care. In Solidarity,
Jim McLean treasurer@ufcw175.com
STAFF NEWS
Welcome New Staff
In October 2025, long-time member Maggie Brayson joined Region 4 as a Servicing Representative.
For Maggie, labour advocacy is more than a career – it’s a calling. “I believe in fairness and equity, it has always been in my heart to fight for my fellow workers,” said Maggie.
In 1998, Maggie started her career with Fortinos as a part-time clerk and worked in every department during her time with the company.
Maggie is a proud parent and grandparent, and passionate labour advocate who discovered her voice and purpose after returning to the workforce once her children started school. She quickly saw the challenges that so many working parents, and workers in general, face every day, and quickly became involved in the Union.
Welcome New Members
Kinark Child & Family Services
Employees at Kinark Child & Family Services in Oshawa have successfully joined UFCW Locals 175 & 633. The members at Kinark provide autism, child & youth forensic and mental health services, and work as consultants and instructor therapists.
Many of these workers say they feel overworked and undervalued. In addition to better pay and benefits, workers are seeking enhanced job security, seniority rights, stronger safety protocols, and greater inclusion in decision-making processes.
“All the experiences I’ve had lit a fire in me. I began speaking up, first for myself, then for my coworkers struggling to be heard. I believe that every worker deserves a voice, a fair wage, and respect. The fight for justice is never over, and I am determined to keep it alive, one workplace at a time,” said Maggie.
What began as speaking up for fairness in the workplace grew into a lifelong commitment to empowering others to do the same. Maggie was a dedicated member, serving over 20 years as a steward and 15 as an Executive Board member.
“Maggie is a strong voice for her co-workers and through her work on the Executive Board, a strong voice for our members," said President Kelly Tosato. "She understands that real change comes from everyday people standing together and I know that Maggie will make an excellent representative for the members."
"Unionization in community services is essential: the people who care for our most vulnerable populations deserve dignity, fair wages, and a real voice on the job. When these workers are empowered it benefits the entire community.
Kelly Tosato President, UFCW Local 175
The workers at Kinark Child & Family Services contacted UFCW Locals 175 & 633 because of our reputable and responsible Union Representatives who they felt they could trust to provide a fair unionization and bargaining process and favourable outcome.
Welcome to Your Union
Meeting UFCW Locals 175 & 633 Members at Work!
Over the last year, President Kelly Tosato and Secretary-Treasurer Jim McLean have been travelling the province to meet some of the members of our Union. Thank you to all of our members who took a few moments out of their days to meet and speak with President Tosato and Secretary-Treasurer McLean, and to grab a few photos which you'll find on these pages and on the cover! And thank you to all of our members for your hard work and dedication to your jobs. Plans are underway for next year to continue the tour and meet more members of UFCW Locals 175 & 633 at work.
X Cargill London
X Flemingdon Community Health
X Metro Ottawa
X Best Western Dryden
X Safeway Kenora
X Food Basics Newmarket
X Metro Peterborough X Rexall Kingston X No Frills Dryden X Mondelēz
No Frills Kenora
X Flemingdon Community Health
X Food Basics Kingston
X Maple Leaf London
X Metro Thunder Bay
X Safeway Gasbar Dryden
X Rexall Peterborough
X Safeway Kenora
X Metro Kingston
X Food Basics Ottawa
X Safeway Dryden X Sofina London
X Food Basics Richmond Hill
Thank You Thank You
X Metro Aurora
X Wholesale Club Kenora X Safeway Thunder Bay
X Loblaws Barrhaven
X Rexall Brockville
X Food Basics Keswick
Canadian Mobility Services Fort Frances
No Frills Thunder Bay
Rexall Newmarket
Morello's YIG Peterborough
Political Action
UFCW Lobby Day at Queen's Park
On October 29, 2025, members and staff from UFCW Locals 175 & 633 took part in an Ontario Lobby Day at Queen's Park.
Members had the opportunity to meet with Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) and Ministers to discuss and influence public policy and legislation, advocate for members' rights and needs, and raise awareness to improve workers’ rights in Ontario.
Alongside our Local Union were participants from UFCW Locals 1006A, Local 12R24, and the National Office bringing the full UFCW Lobby Day contingent to 40.
"Our members brought passion and insight into every meeting on Lobby Day," said President Kelly Tosato. "Seeing our members speaking one-on-one with elected officials makes me hopeful that we can influence positive changes for working people. I hope that all of these members continue to take part in political action and inspire others to join in as well."
Members met with many MPPs over the day, including NDP Leader Marit Stiles. In all, the UFCW delegation met with elected officials in 31 meetings to discuss:
• Tackling the rising cost of living in Ontario.
• Protecting workers from isolation, understaffing, and rising workplace violence.
• Strengthening workers’ rights in Ontario with card check certification and robust first contract arbitration.
• Preserving democracy, workers' rights, and indigenous sovereignty in Ontario, by repealing Bill 5.
Our Local Union's HOPE sector was represented by members who raised issues specific to healthcare. These meetings included MPPs France Gélinas (Critic, Health), Lise Vaugeois (Critic, Seniors, Accessibility, WSIB and Injured Workers), and the office of Robin Lennox (Critic, Mental Health, Addictions and Primary Care) to name a few. Concerns brought forth by the members at these meetings were:
• Funding inequities in primary and disability services.
• The crisis in Ontario’s long-term and community health services.
Civic engagement is a crucial part of keeping our elected officials accountable and helping make sure our government is acting in the best interests of working people.
As a Union member and worker in this province, it is vital that your voice is heard by the government. The experience and perspective that working people bring on the issues that you, and many of our members, face every day provide unique insight into finding solutions.
Thank you to the following members for
their participation!
Gloria Almonte (Olymel Cornwall), Bill Bitaxis (Flemingdon Health Care), Justin Braganza (Metro), Jun Collins (Zehrmart), Rae Dooley (Access Alliance), Darryl Gershater (Flemingdon Health Care), Amanda Grant (Warkworth Place), Alexandra Green (Homewood Health Centre), Kevin Hachey (Fortinos), Gladys Igharo (Meta Centre), Peter Moss (Petawawa Firefighters), Okpan Ogbu (Karis Disability Services), Cheynieka Reid (Karis Disability Services), Michael Santha (Beth Tikvah), Anne Marie Stevens (Metro), Jennis Kathryn Trepanier (Zehrs), and Byron Williams (J.H. McNairn).
Supervised Consumption Site closure at Parkdale Community Health
In late October, members working at Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre were informed that the Supervised Consumption Site (SCS) at the Centre would close at the end of November.
President Kelly Tosato sent a letter of concern to the Honourable Sylvia Jones, Minister of Health, as well as MPPs France Gélinas, Critic, Health, and Robin Lennox, Critic, Mental Health, Addictions and Primary Care.
The decision to close the SCS at Parkdale Queen West will have a negative impact on both the members at the facility and their clients who rely on their life-saving services.
Since late May 2025, following the closure of five other SCSs in Toronto, Parkdale has seen a 50% increase in the number of individuals accessing its site. These closures have created new and exacerbated already existing challenges for remaining support services – and its' likely not the last SCS closure the city will see.
The Local Union supports the development of Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hubs, but those services cannot replace and do not justify abandoning community-based harm reduction and SCS services in areas where people actually live.
Both approaches are needed along with supportive housing and wrap-around care that the government itself has said is required. Closing a life-saving service without offering an alternative will cost lives, increase community tensions, and deepen the inequities our province is already struggling to contain.
We urge the government to review and reverse the decision to close Parkdale, and other supervised consumption sites that provide vital community services and that will not be replaced with HART Hubs.
Negotiation Updates
First agreement secured by members at Delta by Marriott in Thunder Bay
On September 24, 2025, the hospitality workers at the Delta Hotels by Marriott in Thunder Bay voted to ratify their very first collective agreement as UFCW Local 175 members.
The ratification followed a difficult round of bargaining, including 15 days in negotiations and three days in conciliation. The main issue at the table for these members was wages.
Union members at the hotel will see an increase of 5% in year one, 2.5% in year two, and 3% in year three. In addition, language ensures that no rates will fall below $0.25 over minimum wage.
The Union Negotiating Committee successfully maintained the workers’ health and welfare benefits despite the employer attempting to take them away.
Members secured language prohibiting harassment and unprofessional conduct, and establishing a Joint Labour Management Committee. This first Union contract contains important grievance
and arbitration procedure language, which helps provide job security and ensures the employer meets their obligations under the agreement by giving members an official complaint process.
The bargaining unit at the Delta by Marriott in Thunder Bay is comprised of 57 full-time and 39 part-time employees who work in Maintenance, Housekeeping, Front Desk Services, Food & Beverage, Banquets, and more.
Union Negotiating Committee: Emma FergusMoore, Christal Onichuk, Union Representative Alex Stubbs, and Regional Director Tracy Stubbs.
Maple Lodge Farms members ratify wage gains & new pension
Members at Maple Lodge Farms in Mississauga ratified a three-year agreement in early October.
Effective January 1, 2027, members will benefit from the introduction of a new pension plan with an employer contribution rate of $.50 per hour for every hour worked to a maximum of 40 hours. This was a significant achievement and big win for these workers.
All classifications secured wage increases of $1.25 in year one, $0.60 in year two, and $0.60 in year three. Those in Class 1 receive a wage adjustment of $0.45 per hour and the Lead Hand premium improves to $0.75 per hour. Members also receive a signing bonus of $250.
The safety shoe allowance increases to $175, up from $150, and overtime will now be paid after 40 hours instead of 44.
Members benefit from a new floater day, and improved vision coverage, which increases to $350, up from $275, effective January 1, 2026. The employer will provide a hard copy of the benefits book to the employees.
The employer will pay 100% of eight-hours' wages for three employees on the negotiation committee, up to a total of five days per employee.
Union Negotiating Committee: Hazel Gaza, Giju John, Hanyan (Harry) Liu, and Union Representative Navidad Talbot.
Recently, Budget Car Rentals and Avis Car members achieved collective agreements with good wage increases that meet or exceed the sector standard, as well as other improvements.
The 22 Budget Car members at Pearson ratified end rate increases of $1.25 per hour in year one, $1.10 per hour in year two, and another $1.10 per hour in year three. Plus, one member will also see an adjustment of $1 per hour on top of the rate increases.
Employees on the progression grid will see those rates improve and benefit from a reduced time of 36 months to reach top rate instead of the previous 48 months. Lead Hands will receive a premium increase of $1.50 per hour.
Members benefit from:
• Improved massage therapy coverage of $500.
• Increased dental coverage to $1,500.
• Improved vision coverage at $400.
• Reimbursement up to $30 toward the cost of a medical note.
Other monetary improvements provide an improved shoe allowance of $150 for employees classified as service agents, rapid return agents, and select/go. Counter agents will receive a $100 shoe allowance.
Long-service Budget Car members with 23 years or more with the employer will benefit from an additional service paid day off for a total of two per year.
Union Negotiating Committee: Jennifer Holness, Abdi Khayre, Donna Nicholas, and Union Representative Mario Tardelli.
The 166 members employed at Avis Car in Etobicoke also achieved increases of $1.25 per hour in year one, $1.10 per hour in year two, and $1.10 per hour in year three. In addition, 13 employees will benefit from a further wage adjustment of $.25 per hour in each year. Employees on the progression grid will also see rate improvements.
Premiums improve to provide $1.50 per hour for Lead, and all off-airport service agents will receive an increased premium of $1 per hour.
Members will further benefit from:
• Massage therapy coverage of $500.
• Dental coverage will increase to $1,500.
• Vision care improves to $400.
• Medical note reimbursement improves to cover $30.
In addition, the shoe allowance improves to $150 for employees in the service agent, shuttler, rapid return, and select/go classifications. Counter agents receive an improved shoe allowance of $100.
Long-service Avis members with 23 years or more with the employer will benefit from an additional service paid day off for a total of two per year.
Union Negotiating Committee: Alexander Asfaha, Delroy Bartley, Yonis Jama, Misha Stojicevic, and Union Representative Mario Tardelli.
Negotiation Updates
Wages, paid personal days, & more ratified at First Student
Sault Ste. Marie
On October 27, 2025, members at First Student Sault Ste. Marie ratified a three-year agreement.
Members will benefit from the introduction of a newly designed wage grid and structure that will pay members based on their run-time, with up to 15% in increases over the term of the deal.
The new pay grid includes increases for every 10 minutes of driving time, up from every 15 minutes previously. In addition, the grid adds 20 minutes for duties such as circle checks, snow removal, cleaning, etc. whereas the old structure had 15 minutes. These two changes will make for a fairer pay structure and move most drivers up one pay category or more.
The Union Negotiating Committee achieved significant increases to city and highway charters, and specified regular charter rates of up to $10 per charter. Plus, there are new Minimum Wage Plus rates for trainers, bus washers, and non-driving pay.
Members also benefit from increased Standbypay, meal per diems, and fueling allowances, as well as the addition of three paid personal days per year.
Union Negotiating Committee: Matthew Berg, Susan Lowen, Donald Siegwart, and Union Representative Jim Hames.
Aramark members working at Woodstock Hospital ratify gains
The membership at Aramark working at the Woodstock Hospital ratified a three-year agreement on October 17, 2025.
Wages for the members will increase by 12% across all classifications as of the date of ratification, and paid retroactive to June 4, 2025. Members will then see a 3% increase in each year of the term for the duration of the agreement. The Union Negotiating Committee has also secured new Minimum Wage Plus language to ensure rates will remain above the provincial minimum wage.
In benefit improvements, the employer contribution rate for health and dental benefits will increase to 80%, up from 70%.
In addition, the Union Committee successfully achieved paid sick days for full-time members in this round of bargaining, which was an important achievement for these workers.
The uniform allowance will increase to $50 up from $40, and non-slip shoe coverage will now be $80 per year up from $70. Additionally, the receiver classification will have an allowance of $100 up from $70 for steel toed shoes each year.
Union Negotiating Committee: Samantha Grimshaw, Courtney Walton, Servicing Representative Skip Pavlick, and Union Representative John Beaton.
Minute Maid members ratify numerous improvements and gains
Members at Minute Maid Company Canada Inc. in Peterborough ratified a four-year agreement on September 6, 2025.
Wages will increase by 10.5% over the term of the collective agreement, with the first increase retroactive to the expiry of the previous agreement. Plus, maintenance wage review language was negotiated.
Members benefit from a $1,500 signing bonus, and workers have the ability to participate in KO Shares (Coca-Cola) program with the employer matching up to $2,000 per year.
The Union Negotiating Committee achieved enhanced severance of six weeks, on top of what is included in the contract for those affected by the frozen lay off, and a voluntary retirement package for any member over 60 years old, with an increase to the maximum overall severance payment of 52 weeks.
Night shift premiums improve to $1.15 per hour and the maintenance on-call (cellphone) pay improves to $50 for each eight-hour period, or $75 for twelve hours.
The Maintenance tool allowance increases to $350, and the employer will cover the cost of a maintenance ticket/license. The boot allowance improves to $225 per year, and temporary employees now have the same entitlement to boot allowance as permanent full-time.
Benefit improvements address:
• Parental leave top up to 100% for the first eight weeks;
• Improved sick leave of seven days for temporary employees who transfer to full-time, and;
• Coverage for psychotherapy, virtual physiotherapist, and fertility treatment, as well as extended health coverage for serious illness.
Language improvements address bereavement leave carry-over, recall notices, reduced probation periods for temporary employees, improved safety footwear choices, a seven-day continental shift for the Waste Water Department, and the elimination of the punch-in protocol that limited hours paid to six-minute units.
The employer has committed to cross-train additional employees to provide better vacation coverage. In addition, the employer will cover 50% of the cost of printing the collective agreement, and contribute an additional $250 to the UFCW Local 175 Training and Education Fund.
Union Negotiating Committee: Corey Condon, Terry Preston, Steve Scott, Andy Waudby, and Union Representative Ricardo Bocanegra.
Negotiation Updates
Caressant Care Retirement Home members in St. Thomas achieve improvements to wages, language, and more in new deal
Members at Caressant Care Retirement Home in St. Thomas ratified a two-year agreement on September 11, 2025.
Wages for the members will increase by 3.5% in each year for all classifications. In addition, there will be a new premium for guest attendants who are performing med pass of $1 per hour, and an increase to the weekend premium as well.
The “in lieu” benefits for part-time workers will increase up to 10.5%, and full-time workers will see their optical benefits improve to $350. The
Flemingdon Union Negotiating Committee (l-r): Darryl Gershater, Niki Hinds, HOPE Community Director Sabrina Qadir, Union Representative Sacha Edey, and Bill Bitaxis.
agreement includes improved bereavement entitlement, better call-in language, and improvements to the language covering the calculation for part-time statutory holiday pay.
Members will also benefit from an increase to the uniform allowance, and Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) will see an increase to the amount they are reimbursed for required fees.
Union Negotiating Committee: Angela Badgley, Deb Carmichael, and Union Representative Todd Janes.
Flemingdon Community Health workers ratify new agreement; avoid strike action
With a strike deadline looming, the healthcare workers at Flemingdon Community Health Centre in Toronto ratified a three-year agreement on October 23, 2025.
The deal contains no concessions and members will continue to benefit from employer-paid Long-Term Disability (LTD) premiums. Maintaining employer-paid LTD premiums was an important issue for these members and one which they were ready to hit the picket line over.
The deal secures increases as follows:
• Year One: 0.75% wage adjustment plus 2.75%
• Year Two: 0.5% wage adjustment plus 2.5%
• Year Three: 2%
• A lump sum payment of $750.
Members will benefit from improved mileage reimbursement of 55 cents, up from 41 cents, per kilometre.
An employee may make a special request to use their next year’s professional development allotment in circumstances where the cost of the training or tuition exceeds $1,000. Other language improvements add a Lead Steward to the collective agreement.
Members at Broadview Nursing Home and Hilltop Manor
ratify merged collective agreement with significant gains
The membership working at Broadview Nursing Home in Smiths Falls and Hilltop Manor in Merrickville unanimously ratified a first agreement that encompasses a merger of the two homes, which will soon be housed in one facility.
This merger adds 70 new members from Hilltop Manor, which was not previously represented by UFCW Locals 175 & 633. This agreement also now covers the Registered Nurses (RNs).
Broadview members received minimum increases of 3.5% in each year of the agreement term, resulting in significant increases to those not yet at top rate. Hilltop members will see immediate increases in wages of between 3% and 31%. RNs will see wage increases of over $7.50 an hour at the top end. RPNs, depending on where they are in the grid, may see increases of over $8 per hour.
As there are two different pensions between the two homes, the Union Negotiating Committee successfully negotiated the opportunity for members to be educated on both plans so that they can then decide which pension they want to go forward with.
The new members from Hilltop now have all the benefits of unionization including a grievance procedure, just cause protection, and the strength and gains found in the Broadview agreement.
Some improvements for these new members include:
• A vacation entitlement maximum of seven weeks, up from five.
• Entitlement to shift premiums.
• Introduction to a superior benefit plan with no wait period.
The servicing agreement has also been improved to allow the Union access to the members for night and evening shift in both homes before the new home is built and the merger occurs.
Union Negotiating Committee: Charmaine Baker, Chase Hughes, Emma Magee, Megan McLellan, Greg Moodie, Jessica Orr, Connie St Germain, and Union Representative Dean McLaren.
Health & Safety
Workplace Health & Safety requires cooperation and dedication from everyone.
Build a culture of safety.
A good Health & Safety culture requires proper training and workplace orientation, instruction on how to use and wear PPE, a robust and open system of reporting hazards and injuries, and open dialogue amongst employees, management, and the Union.
Everyone in every workplace should understand their responsibilities and what to do when something happens. Workers should always be encouraged to speak up and take part in building solutions. This is a vital part of establishing and maintaining the Internal Responsibility System (IRS) in every workplace.
Be proactive.
Even in a workplace with a robust health and safety culture, do not rely on management alone. Make sure you are vigilant and speak up when you notice something.
Your JHSC cannot be everywhere in the workplace all the time. But hazards, incidents, and injuries can happen at any time. Do not rely on a regular inspection alone to catch concerns. Every person in the workplace should look out for hazards. Whether it's blocked exits, uneven or slippery walking surfaces, improperly stacked items in storage areas, and more, if you notice something, tell your supervisor and your JHSC/H&S Rep.
Workplaces should be free from violence, harassment, & bullying.
Part III of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) requires every workplace to have a violence and harassment policy. Your employer must review its policy and make any necessary changes regularly, and provide annual training of that policy to employees to ensure everyone knows their rights and how to report any incidents.
Report. Report. Report.
Whether you have witnessed or experienced an incident of harassment, violence, or bullying, found a trip or slip hazard, found yourself unsure of how to use equipment properly, or have any other Health & Safety concerns, alwaysALWAYS - bring it to the immediate attention of your supervisor AND your JHSC/H&S Rep.
Contact your Union.
If you find your workplace Health & Safety concerns are not being addressed or you have ongoing concerns about hazards or solutions put in place by your employer, please reach out to your Union Representative to discuss.
Workers' Compensation
Ageism in Workers' Compensation Rights Don't Retire!
In 2023, 30% of people aged 65-69 were employed, and 8.1% of those over the age of 70 were employed.1 The Injured Workers Community Legal Clinic analyzed data, and determined that, between 2000 and 2024, the number of Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB) claims for people over the age of 63 has increased to 5.8%, up from 1%.
But Section 43(1)(c) of the Workplace Safety & Insurance Act (WSIA) allows the WSIB to end loss of earning (LOE) benefits when a worker reaches the age of 65, or two years after the injury if that injury occurs after the age of 63.
This legislation is ageist and out of date with today's life expectancy rates and the realities of why so many workers continue to be in the workforce as they age. Workers are staying in the workforce longer and they should have access to workers' compensation LOE benefits.
At a time when the cost of living continues to rise, injured workers of all ages relying on the WSIB continue to be pushed into poverty. And workers over the age of 65 are even more vulnerable to this. The Ontario government must update the WSIA to reflect a fair and equitable approach to income reimbursement for workers of all ages.
Meanwhile...
... the WSIB announced yet another rebate of $2 billion going back to employers, which is the third surplus distribution in 2025.
Plus, the WSIB also announced that employer premiums will be cut – again – starting in January 2026.
That $2 billion (and counting) could be used to properly and fairly reimburse injured workers. The money could be used to reinvest in enhanced health and safety measures and more in workplaces across the province.
1Government of Canada, Statistics Canada. (2025, January 24). Labour force characteristics by gender and detailed age group, annual. https://www150. statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1410032701
Through November & December, your Union will take part in a Rights Don't Retire Lobby Day, will support related resolutions proposed at the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) convention, and more. Look for items covering these events on the Union's Facebook & Instagram.
2025 Solidarity Scholarship Winners
Congratulations to this year's winners and best of luck with your studies! Look for Solidarity Scholarship applications for 2026 to open next spring at ufcw175.com/scholarships.
Donya Abu-Zeyada
Oluwatobi Agbede
Lauren Albanese
Lucas Alinsod
Kenzie Alliett
Daniel Alvarado-Velasquez
John Ray Arcenio
Ashleigh Arella
Jasmine Tia Arzadon
Roseanne Mae Balneg
Seyi Balogun
Hope Barra
Jun Bennie
Abigail Bevan
Danica Biancaniello
Alexandria Boyd
Anthony Caicco
Thomas Chambers
Jocelin Chang
Kendahl Colwell
Ryan DeMelo
Prentice Etole
Brittany Evans
Brandee Ewen
Isobel Farstad
Rachel Ferguson
Caleb Gandza
Ava Gauthier
Kegan Gauthier-Turker
Alias George
Samantha Gerrits
Simran Gill
Rocco Gioia
Emma Gold
Spencer Green
Emily Harp
Sarah Hasenhindl
Zahra Hassanali
Ryder Huffman
Mahir Ihfaz
Adam Jacula
Kajal Jain
Maran Kathirgamadasan
Samreen Kaur
Neema Kingamkono
Tyler Klaehn
Brandon Korvemaker
Ryan Kuntsi
Hannah Lague
Jean-Michael Lalla
Gavyn Lallouet
Ka Ying Lam
Marissa Little
Taylor Lucas
Danijel Lukic
Emily Nhi Luong
Wyatt MacFarlane
Emily Mailloux
Oen Damiel Manliclic
Roshaun Marchall
Owen McKinnon
Kyle Meers
Samantha Miranda
Colleen Mohabeer
Adrian Jerome Morla
Cole Nahrgang
Max Neville
Kaylee Nguyen
Simon Okanlawon
Deniz Pakrow
Om Patel
Aaliya Pathan
William Payoyo
Jonathan (Dean) Poirier
Alexandr Popov
Hannah Quang Van
Aaron Ramon Lopez
Ajince Ravindran
Cassandra Reid
Alysa Rhone
Guranjan Sandhu
Praveen Raju Santhi
Zenith Saw
Gabrielle Scott
Lexie Sertic
Moksha Shah
Danielle Shalla
Shelby Sheridan
Julia Taylor
Ava Thompson
Sydney Tilley
Breanna Trudgeon
German Angelo Turno
Zackary Vigneau
Eva von Friedl
Deegan Wade
Keira Westcott
Hailey Wickham
Abby Wilson
Timothy Wood
Ireland Worley
Simon Yu
Emma Zantingh
Sara Zaza
Training & Education
Weeklong Paid Training
This year's Member, Steward, and Health & Safety Weeklong training sessions saw more than 60 UFCW Locals 175 & 633 workplace leaders come to the Union's head office to take part in a five-day workshop.
"These weeklong programs are an incredible opportunity for our members to learn more about their Union and their roles as members, Stewards, and H&S Reps," said President Kelly Tosato. "I hope every member left this year's courses feeling informed and inspired."
Participants in the Members' session discussed organizing, the history of the Labour movement, the role of Stewards and grievance handling, health and safety, and had an introduction to collective bargaining. With our Stewards and Health & Safety program, the members dive a little deeper into critical aspects of their roles in the workplace. These members assist their co-workers in a variety of ways day in and day out.
The Stewards course covers information on human rights, workplace injuries, Return to Work, and the Duty to Accommodate. Health & Safety members cover everything from functions of the Joint Health & Safety Committee (JHSC) to ergonomics, work refusals, hazard analysis, critical injuries, Ministry of Labour inspections, and dealing with the WSIB.
X Members' Weeklong Class
Steward Cell Training
In September and November, the Local Union held cell training days for Stewards across 26 cities. Across the province, more than 750 Stewards took part in the one-day workshops to enhance their skills so that they can continue to represent the best interests of their co-workers every day. This year's training addressed Workplace Violence, Harassment, and Bullying.
President Kelly Tosato and Secretary-Treasurer Jim McLean stopped by the Belleville training (pictured below, top left) to visit with Stewards as they toured some workplaces in the eastern part of the province. See the cover, plus pages 7 - 9 for more photos from their tour.
In 2026, Stewards will have the opportunity to take part in regional weekend seminars taking place in six cities. Information on those seminars will follow in the new year!
Community
First-ever UFCW OUTreach convention takes place in Philadelphia
From October 4 - 5, 2025 in Philadelphia, UFCW OUTreach held its first-ever convention: The Art of Solidarity – Tools to Build a 2SLGBTQIA+ Affirming Union. UFCW OUTreach unites members and allies in the fight for equality and justice for 2SLGBTQIA+ workers everywhere.
"I am proud to have taken part in this important convention with an incredible group of UFCW activists who are dedicated to improving the lives of our Union members in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community," said President Kelly Tosato.
The event included UFCW members and staff from Canada and the United States. Delegates from our Local Union included President Kelly Tosato, Secretary-Treasurer Jim McLean, Recorder Karen Vaughan, Local Union Executive Board members Chigozie Agubata, Tyler Colwell, and Joy Searles, and other staff.
Inspiring speakers included UFCW International President Milton Jones, RWSDU President Stuart Applebaum, State Representative Malcolm Kenyatta, and Congresswoman Sarah McBride. Delegates heard panel discussions and took part in workshops on organizing, inclusion, and building stronger, more equitable workplaces. Plenary sessions addressed the importance of Unions fighting back against anti-2SLGBTQIA+ backlash and the future of UFCW OUTreach.
