Workers at Wendy’s in Thunder Bay join the union – UFCW 175

Thunder Bay, Ont. – March 10, 2017 – Workers at the Wendy’s fast food restaurant located on Memorial Avenue in Thunder Bay have voted overwhelmingly to join UFCW Canada Local 175.

The issues that brought the employees, who are mostly young workers, to seek Union representation with Local 175 ranged from poor workplace conditions to unfair scheduling practices, as well as workplace harassment and intimidation, and threats that their jobs would be replaced with temporary foreign workers. The vote was held on March 8.

“Workers in the fast food industry are often treated by their employers as disposable,” said UFCW Canada Local 175 President Shawn Haggerty. “Our Union welcomes these new members and is proud of the bravery they’ve shown by choosing to unionize. It is a victory for them and sends a message across Ontario and Canada that fast food employees work hard and demand respect.”

Now Local 175 will begin the process of negotiating a first collective agreement with the employer.

“We expect this employer to come to the table and bargain a fair agreement,” said President Haggerty. “Any threat to the members will not be tolerated by the Union and we will use all available resources at our disposal to support the members at Wendy’s to achieve their first collective agreement.”