It’s been a busy – and productive – year for the Locals 175 & 633 Organizing Department. In the first 10 months it has managed to obtain Union certification for 392 new members. It recently won a major victory at Cadbury Adams in Hamilton. This plant has been in operation for close to 50 years and produces specialty chocolates, candy, chewing gum and mints. Past attempts to unionize have failed, but this time the employees voted by more than 70 per cent in favour of joining Local 175. “These workers had the strength and determination to get organized and fight for a better workplace,” says Organizing Representative Steve Robinson. “They refused to give into anti-union tactics because they knew that good wages and better working conditions depended on getting unionized.”
benefits. The workers break eggs and process the whites and yolks into numerous food ingredients, which are then shipped to food producers around the world.
The new Local 175 bargaining unit at Cadbury Adams includes more than 160 workers. Our Union has already represented workers at the Cadbury Adams plant on Gladstone Avenue in Toronto for almost 40 years, since 1967.
“These workers were strong and educated,” says Local 175 Organizing Representative Kevin Shimmin. “They knew their rights and were determined to fight for a better future. They were strategic and courageous during the campaign and this translated into a strong victory.”
Earlier in the year the Organizing Department won another substantial victory at Inovatech Egg Products in St. Marys. The 57 employees voted in favour of joining our Union by more than 70 per cent. The employees first contacted Local 175 Organizers after hearing good things about our Union from friends and family working at Maple Leaf Poultry (Schneiders) in St. Marys and Dresden Industrial in Stratford. Major issues that supported the organizing drive included the need for fair treatment, job security, wage improvements and better
This past spring, employees of Lynde Creek Manor Retirement Residence in Whitby also voted to join Local 175 – by 100 per cent! The employer has been operating for less than a year and is planning major expansions in the near future. The workers at Lynde Creek contacted Local 175 Organizers based on our reputation for strong collective agreements and servicing excellence in the retirement and nursing home sector. They wanted better scheduling, good wages and health benefits and they worked hard to win their vote.
Employees of Mudges Appliance in London also won their certification vote – by 94 per cent. “This victory was especially rewarding considering the severe level of intimidation from the employer,” explains Brother Shimmin. “The owner terminated employees as soon as he heard about our application for certification. And he has continued to use intimidation and threats during negotiations for a first collective agreement. Despite these actions, these workers continue to fight courageously for their right to decent wages and dignity and respect at work.” Local 175 Organizers have also been winning certifications of additional new members in workplaces that already belong to our Union. For example, employees of Breakaway Community Health Centre in Toronto recently voted to join Local 175. They provide expert counselling and services to young people who are struggling with addictions. Workers visit clients who are homeless and in detention. Local 175 already represents members at the employer’s Satellite location. Our Union also certified the Quality Assurance employees at Ready Bake Foods in Mississauga. Local 175 already represents the production workers. “Our Organizing Team works best when we co-ordinate with our Union Reps and Stewards, says Brother Shimmin. “Wherever they see groups of employees in our workplaces who are not in the Union, we can work together to get them organized.” Earlier in the year, the department successfully organized another 56 members at Norfoam in Cobourg and Hertz rental cars at Pearson Airport in Mississauga. The Locals 175 & 633 Organizing Department currently includes Co-ordinator Michael Duden, Representatives Kevin Shimmin, Steve Robinson, and Lien Huynh and Special Project Union Representative Dean McLaren.
DECEMBER 2006
ORGANIZING
2006 was a very good year for Union organizing