Employees of the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF) have voted unanimously to join the Society of United Professionals, IFPTE Local 160. The newly certified bargaining unit includes all employees, including lawyers.
The vote brings LEAF staff into a union that represents nearly 600 legal professionals across Ontario. The Society of United Professionals now has more than 10,000 members working in the energy and legal sectors.
Legal sector organizing
LEAF employees join Society members working at Legal Aid Ontario, the National Judicial Institute, the Chinese and Southeast Asian Legal Clinic, and Aboriginal Legal Services.
“We are delighted that the employees at LEAF choose our union,” said Rebecca Caron, president of the Society of United Professionals. “We look forward to providing these employees with the first-rate representation and bargaining support that the rest of our members enjoy.”
Workplace motivation
Rosel Kim, LEAF senior staff lawyer, said the decision reflects current workplace concerns.
“At a time when we are seeing a heightened backlash against equality rights, we are proud to be strengthening our workplace, and securing our rights and the vital work we do by unionizing,” Kim said.
About LEAF
LEAF works to advance the equality rights of women, girls, trans, and non-binary people in Canada through litigation, law reform and public education. The organization intervenes in cases to ensure court interpretations of equality rights improve the lives of women, trans, and non-binary people.
About the Society
Founded more than 70 years ago by engineers seeking better working conditions, the Society of United Professionals now represents members in the public, private and non-profit sectors. Members work for organizations including Ontario Power Generation, Hydro One, Bruce Power, Independent Electricity System Operator, Legal Aid Ontario, Toronto Hydro, and the Electrical Safety Authority.
The Society is affiliated with the Canadian Labour Congress and Ontario Federation of Labour.
