Women’s Resources workers join the Union

On December 12 & 13, 2023 members at Women’s Resources of Kawartha Lakes voted in favour of union representation to join UFCW Locals 175 & 633. The 45 members at these three Women’s Resources locations work as Shelter Counsellors, Family Support Workers, Outreach, and Child/Youth and Casual/Relief Counsellors.

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February 12, 2024

Women’s Resources workers join the Union

On December 12 & 13, 2023 members at Women’s Resources of Kawartha Lakes voted in favour of union representation to join UFCW Locals 175 & 633. The 45 members at these three Women’s Resources locations work as Shelter Counsellors, Family Support Workers, Outreach, and Child/Youth and Casual/Relief Counsellors.

The main reasons for these workers seeking Union representation were to:

  • Achieve better wages;
  • Ensure increased Job Security;
  • Address Health & Safety concerns;
  • Eliminate favouritism, and;
  • Work toward a harassment-free workplace.

A 2021 case study by Hub Solutions asked workers in this vulnerable sector across Canada to describe the barriers and numerous challenges they face every day. The study found that large caseloads, working under camera surveillance, intrusive sexual or aggressive behaviour from clients, and language barriers were other individual-level challenges that were described by workers in this sector.[1] These workers face challenging and difficult situations such as ethical conflicts, violence, undiagnosed mental health illnesses and more. [2]

UFCW Locals 175 & 633 has committed labour advocates who strive to help workers across Ontario build better lives on a daily basis with experienced Union negotiators who are ready to take on the challenge faced by workers in community-based organizations who serve the most vulnerable population in our communities.

We look forward to assisting our new members in achieving a better working environment at Women’s Resources of Kawartha Lakes, and creating positive change for the community.

Welcome to your Union.


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[1] https://www.homelesshub.ca/sites/default/files/attachments/HubSolutions-Understanding-Needs-Oct2021.pdf (Fisk et al., 1999; Lemieux-Cumberlege & Taylor, 2019; Lenzi et al., 2020; Robelski et al., 2020; van den Berk-Clark, 2016; Wirth, Mette, Nienhaus, et al., 2019)

[2] https://www.homelesshub.ca/sites/default/files/attachments/HubSolutions-Understanding-Needs-Oct2021.pdf (Fisk et al., 1999; Robelski et al., 2020; Tanjuaquio, 2018; Wirth, Mette, Nienhaus, et al., 2019)

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