Workers at Timiskaming Funeral Cooperative join UFCW 175

On February 20, 2024, workers at the Timiskaming Funeral Cooperative in Kirkland Lake, Ontario, voted in favour of joining UFCW Locals 175 & 633.

As a previously run small business, the workers at Timiskaming Funeral Cooperative have been a close group, like family, for a long time. Once new owners took over several years ago, everything changed. The workers found that their job security was in jeopardy and they felt the pressure of layoffs and wage reductions.

Our Organizing Team sees this kind of thing happen quite a bit. A new employer can bring abrupt changes that threaten the livelihoods of workers, particularly in small businesses and non-union workplaces. These changes leave workers looking for a solution that can bring back that sense of security. For this, and other reasons, the workers at Timiskaming Funeral Cooperative decided to join the Union.

“Workers need security and above all, they want to feel their jobs are protected. They deserve to feel secure in their ability to provide a life for themselves and their families,” said Kelly Tosato, President of UFCW Local 175. “We applaud their decision to unionize and welcome them to the growing UFCW Locals 175 & 633 family.”

The newest members of UFCW Local 175, who work as Funeral Directors, Drivers, and removal staff, are happy with the result of their certification vote. They are looking forward to beginning the process of bargaining their first collective agreement as Union members.

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