Engineers at Framatome Canada Limited in Kincardine, Ont., have voted to unionize, joining the Society of United Professionals, IFPTE Local 160. The decision follows a certification application to the Ontario Labour Relations Board earlier this month, with ballots counted on Nov. 22.
Society President Michelle Johnston said the union is pleased to welcome the group of engineers. “As the union of choice for so many of Ontario’s nuclear professionals, we’re looking forward to showing these engineers the benefits of Society representation,” Johnston said.
The Society of United Professionals, which represents 10,000 members across the energy, legal, and regulatory sectors, already includes more than 6,000 professionals in Ontario’s nuclear industry. Its members work for organizations such as Ontario Power Generation, Bruce Power, Kinectrics, and the Nuclear Waste Management Organization.
The addition of the Framatome engineers expands the Society’s presence in the Bruce County region, said Dave Ceksters, vice-president of the Society’s Bruce Local. “Adding the engineers at Framatome to our ranks strengthens our union and expands the number of unionized professionals in the Bruce community,” Ceksters said. “We’re proud to support the good-paying, union jobs that support our community, and we look forward to continuing to grow.”
Founded 80 years ago, the Society has its roots in organizing engineers for improved working conditions. Its membership today includes engineers, lawyers, paralegals, project managers, and IT specialists, among others.
