Farm workers vote overwhelmingly to join union

TORONTO, ON – Workers at a Kingsville, Ontario factory farm have voted overwhelmingly to join a union and challenge Ontario law that says they can't. Agricultural workers at Rol-Land Farms, a $50 million-a-year mushroom production facility have voted 132-45 to have UFCW Canada as their union and collective bargaining agent. The ballots, which were actually cast two months ago, were finally counted today by the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) in Toronto. "This is a great and long awaited day for the men and women who work at Rol-Land and all Ontario agricultural workers", said Michael Fraser, National Director of UFCW Canada. The OLRB had actually conducted the Rol-Land vote on July 7 after more than 70% of the workers had signed cards asking to join UFCW Canada: one of the Canada's largest private sector unions. But the ballot box had remained sealed until today because of legal challenges by Rol-Land. Rol-Land had applied to delay the vote count; citing an Ontario Act which denies farm workers the right to join a union. But the Act is questionable in the wake of a landmark 2001 Supreme Court of Canada ruling that Ontario law which denies farm workers collective bargaining rights is unconstitutional. Now the issue has moved to the OLRB, after an Ontario Superior Court judge yesterday denied Rol-Land's application. It ruled the Labour Board could proceed to count the votes today and conduct hearings of arguments from the union and employer at some time in the future. Those hearings could lead to certifying the Rol-Land workers as the first bargaining unit of Ontario farm workers since 1995; when the Harris-Eves government rescinded legislation granting agricultural workers the right to collective bargaining. "Whoever forms the new government," says Michael Fraser, "cannot ignore these workers wishes. These people exercised their right to workplace democracy to join UFCW Canada and bargain collectively. They can delay us but we won't stop until all agricultural workers regain the rights that other workers have." - 30 - For more information and to arrange interviews contact: Michael Forman, UFCW Canada Communications (416) 675-1104 x 249 office (416) 579-8330 cell [email protected]