UFCW Canada Local 501 campaign gains new Quebec agriculture unit

Montreal – October 2, 2013 – UFCW Canada Local 501 is pleased to welcome approximately 140 agriculture workers at Productions Horticoles Demers Inc. near Levis, Quebec as the newest members of Local 501.

The new bargaining unit, which is primarily comprised of migrant agriculture workers from Mexico and Guatemala, includes all employees working in the harvesting production, warehousing and packaging at the Demers operation. Demers is a major grower and packer of  tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, eggplants, strawberries, and raspberries – supplying markets in Quebec, Ontario, the Maritimes, as well as the New England states.

The new bargaining unit was certified on September 30, 2013 by the Quebec Labour Relations Commission, following an application on July 21.

“We are happy and very proud to have the Productions Horticoles Demers Inc. workers join our union and thank them for their trust," says Mario Délisle, Secretary-Treasurer of UFCW Canada Local 501.

 "By adding their voices to ours, the new members add their strength and vitality to our great union, and in return they know they count on the solidarity and support of 11,000 Local 501 members when they need it."

UFCW Canada Local 501 collective agreements are already in place at a number of greenhouse, field crop, and agriculture packing facilities in Quebec. In association with the Agriculture Workers Alliance (AWA), UFCW Canada also operates agriculture worker support centres in Saint-Rémi and Saint-Eustache, Quebec.