Our Members at Work: The Mondelēz Canada Chocolate Factory
March 20, 2017
Nestled into a residential area of Toronto’s west end is a century-old factory where members of UFCW Local 175 have some of the sweetest jobs anywhere.
Read it and see more photos as it appeared in Checkout March 2017.
The 287 bargaining unit members who work at Mondelēz Canada churn out a variety of chocolate sweets that ship throughout Canada daily.
Inside the historic building, founded by Neilson in 1906, it’s impossible not to notice the amazing smell of chocolate, toffee, and caramel that wafts throughout.
Some of the most popular lines are the Cadbury Mini Eggs, Mr. Big (still one of the biggest sellers), Dairy Milk, Cadbury Fruit & Nut, Crunchie, Cadbury Creme Egg and more. It’s the only place where the Caramilk bar is made. And it’s where the Crispy Crunch bar was first invented. If you’re in the neighbourhood at Halloween, the factory gives out lots of treats too!
There are eight Union Stewards, led by Chief Steward Fitzroy Reid, and four Joint Health & Safety Committee (JHSC) members on hand to assist their co-workers. “This team does a great job of making sure the workplace is safe, and that every member knows and understands their rights at work,” explained then-Union Rep John DiNardo.
About 64% of the membership have more than 20 years of seniority with the employer. About 20% have between 30 and 40 years of seniority. Seven members have more than 40 years of seniority!
“Mondelēz Canada has a lot of long-service employees,” said DiNardo. “They’ve been able to keep their manufacturing process in the city when other companies have not. They’ve employed local, skilled members of the community for more than one hundred years.”
Jose Ferreira, a Process Operator on the Crunchie line, will have 47 years with the company as of August 2017. Not far behind him are:
- Maria De Melo, Wrapping Machine Operator, and;
- Isidro Bras, Pipefitter,
both of whom are coming up on 44 years.
- Manuel Matos, Operator, has 43 years.
- Maniram Deo Maraj, Process Operator, has been with the employer for 42 years.
- Lauriston Pitters, Electronic Technician, and Antonio Araujo, Packer/ Palletizer, will both reach a seniority of 41 years in 2017.
So when you’re buying chocolate this Easter, keep the Cadbury Mini Eggs and Cadbury Creme Egg in mind! Your Union Sisters, Brothers, and Friends at Mondelēz Canada in Toronto make these products proudly.