Our Members at Work: Unilever Simcoe

Summertime means warm weather and frozen sweet treats. But let’s face it, there’s never really a bad time to have ice cream.

Read the article as it appeared in the June 2018 issue of Checkout magazine!

Did you know you can enjoy many of your favourite ice cream products and support Unionized workers at the same time? Several hundred members of UFCW Local 175 work at Unilever Simcoe, formerly Good Humor-Breyers. Every day, they churn out familiar family favourites like Popsicles, Klondike bars, and ice cream brands like Breyers and Ben & Jerry’s.

Originally used as a cold storage facility founded in 1888, the plant became an ice cream plant in 1922.
Unilever purchased that family business in 1962, and later acquired the Beatrice ice cream business on Norfolk Street, a few kilometres away. The current facility on Union Street was expanded between 1995 and 1997.

Chief Steward Paul Sheppard has 27 years of service with the employer and 22 years as a Union Steward. The members are well looked after by Paul, along with Jackie Baskett, who is the Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) Co-Chair, and a team of 11 Stewards and JHSC Members.

The group at Unilever Simcoe works hard to ensure their co-workers have the best work experience possible day in and day out. There are five shifts, and jobs throughout the plant include: light labour, machine operators, general labour, mix makers and operators, palletizers, receivers, shippers, sanitation, maintenance and refrigeration.

“This is a great group of Members to work with,” said Union Rep Matt Davenport. “Paul and Jackie provide support to all of their co-workers. These employees all look out for each other and are a part of a strong and proud community.”

Products Union-made proudly by the Members at Unilever Simcoe include:

• Magnum luxury ice cream bars.
• Fruttare frozen fruit and milk bars.
• Klondike ice cream sandwiches, bars, and cones.
• Popsicle treats like the Creamsicle, the Supersicle Firecracker, and the Fudgsicle.
• Breyers Ben & Jerry’s, Creamery Style, Gelato, and Classic.
• Other ice cream products under the Breyers and co-branded names such as Reese and Oh Henry!
• Klondike bars, and Breyers Skor and Creamsicle.
• Breyers Non-Dairy and Breyers Delights.

These products are widely available at many major grocers and smaller retailers in the province and across Canada. So, show your support! When you’re out shopping for icy treats, no matter what time of year, shop Union and buy some made at Unilever Simcoe.