CUPE 718 welcomes fitness professionals; Arbitration filed at Montreal agency
Grocery workers join Unifor
MONCTON, N.B. — Following a card signing effort, 155 workers at the Loblaw DC 14 grocery warehouse in Moncton, N.B. joined Unifor on March 24, which already represents workers at the two other Loblaws warehouse locations in the city.
“This was made possible by the incredible work of a strong committee that worked diligently to collect signatures on cards and to speak to workers about the benefits of joining Unifor,” says Kellie Scanlan, Unifor director of organizing.
The job classifications of the new members include shipping and receiving, warehousing and transport (truck drivers and shunters).
CUPE 718 welcomes fitness professionals
RICHMOND, B.C. — The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Local 718 welcomed 56 new members after a labour relations board certification vote was confirmed on March 23.
The new members are fitness professionals who work for the Richmond Fitness and Wellness Association in Richmond, B.C.
The employees — who are also existing employees at the Minoru Centre for Active Living and the Watermania fitness centre — include personal trainers, fitness attendants, group land fitness leaders and aqua-fitness leaders, says the union.
“The work they do to help members of the community maintain and improve their health is so important during these difficult times, and we expect to see more of them join us in the near future as programs start up again,” says Dal Benning, CUPE, 718 president.
CUPE, 718 represents 1,300 municipal employees for the City of Richmond. These members work at city hall and at local community centres, arenas, the cultural centre and the museum, as well as in public works and for the RCMP, says the union.
Arbitration filed at Montreal agency
MONTREAL — Faced with the stalemate in negotiations over the last 10 months at Diogène suivi communautaire, the United Steelworkers (USW) filed for arbitration for a first collective agreement on March 29.
Quebec’s labour code allows for first-contract arbitration after unsuccessful negotiations and conciliation attempts, says the union.
“While the need for services is great, the employer has laid off an employee and refuses to replace absent workers, thus weakening the teams that assessed the needs of clients before employees decide to form a union,” says Pierre Arseneau, USW coordinator for the Montreal area.
Over the past year, the union took legal action against anti-union practices. Six complaints have been filed on issues including employee dismissal, unlawful modification of working conditions after unionization, interference in the affairs of the union and unjustified discipline, says USW.
The Steelworkers are requesting first-contract arbitration in the hope that management will come to terms with the reality of the union’s presence in the workplace.
“A first collective agreement will help us get over the hump and create a more positive environment,” says Arseneau.
Diogène suivi communautaire helps people with mental health challenges associated with legal issues and homelessness.
