Workers at a Toronto FreshCo have voted to join UFCW Local 175 amid concerns over wages and benefits in the face of rising living costs.
The Don Mills Road grocery store employees cast their ballots in favor of unionization during an Ontario Labour Relations Board vote held April 9-10, despite what the union described as attempts by the company to discourage organization efforts.
“With the rising cost of living, retail workers are increasingly seeking higher wages and improved benefits,” said Kelly Tosato, president of UFCW Local 175.
The union claims FreshCo attempted to spread misinformation about the union’s ability to represent store employees effectively during the organizing campaign.
“These courageous FreshCo workers stood up for their rights and we are excited to get to work with them on negotiating their first collective agreement as union members,” Tosato said.
The successful vote represents a significant development in the retail grocery sector, where unionization rates have historically fluctuated.
Tony Nigro, director of organizing at UFCW Local 175, pointed to the broader implications of the vote for retail workers across the country.
“Unions are the most effective way to have a say in your conditions at work,” said Nigro. “These FreshCo workers are showing retail workers across Canada what’s possible when we stand together.”
UFCW Local 175 represents more than 70,000 workers across various sectors in Ontario, including retail grocery, healthcare, food production and manufacturing. The national UFCW organization has approximately 250,000 members, making it Canada’s largest private-sector union.
The union will now begin the process of negotiating the store’s first collective agreement.
