Steps to Join
Joining UFCW Locals 175 & 633 is a powerful step toward building the future you want and deserve.
Where to begin?
Well, if you’re already talking to your co-workers about the changes you want to see in the workplace, then you have already taken the first step. A lot of you probably have similar issues at work and want the same thing: a better deal.
Reach out to the UFCW Locals 175 & 633 Organizing Team.
Our Team will help you make a plan to build a Union for your workplace. Keep talking to your co-workers and build relationships.
A good idea spreads fast. Sometimes your employer might catch on that you and your co-workers are talking about the Union and they might try to distract you from your goal of building a better workplace and life.
Employers sometimes start promising all kinds of things. But chances are they’ve made promises before that never happened. Without a Union contract, employer promises mean nothing.
Remember, it is your RIGHT to join a Union. And that right is protected under the Freedom of Association in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. That right is also protected under Ontario labour law in the Ontario Labour Relations Act.
Your employer is legally not allowed to interfere with the rights of you and your co-workers to start a union. You cannot be fired, threatened, discriminated against, or penalized for supporting a Union drive. If that happens, make sure you tell our Organizing Team. UFCW Locals 175 & 633 has the legal and financial resources to fight to get your job back.
Gathering support to start a Union:
Our Organizing Team will help you get Union cards signed by your co-workers. It’s important that these discussions about signing Union cards happen after work and off work property.
These cards are confidential. Only the Union and the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) will see your signed cards.
These cards are a statement of support for the Union and when you gather enough (40% of your co-workers), our Team will submit those signed cards to the ORLB to secure a vote for you. When the application is made, your employer will be notified that the Union has applied to represent you and your co-workers.
The Vote:
Seven days after your application and signed cards are submitted, the ORLB will hold a secret ballot vote where you and your co-workers will have the chance to vote to officially join the Union.
The seven days between the time you submit your signed cards and the vote can be the most difficult. But our Organizing Team is here to support you throughout it all.
It’s important to keep talking to your co-workers throughout these seven days too. Keep sharing Union information and discussing any questions your co-workers might have. Lean on our Organizing Team to help you through and achieve victory.
If more than 50% of the ballots support the Union, you win.
What happens when you win your vote?
A UFCW Locals 175 & 633 collective agreement can help make your work-life better so that you can build the life and the future that you want and deserve.
As soon as the results are official, the OLRB will issue a certificate to the Union and we can begin the work to get you a better deal with a UFCW Locals 175 & 633 Union contract.
The first step of bargaining is for the Union to schedule a proposal meeting to hear from you, the members, on what kinds of improvements you want to see in your workplace.
Ready to speak with our Organizing Team?
If you’re ready to talk and learn more, let us know! You can ask our Team questions, get assistance with what steps to take next, and more. Your conversations, texts, and emails with our Team are confidential.
