Directions Newsletter
Workers at All Canadian Courier join the union – UFCW 175
Mississauga, Ont. – January 23, 2018 – Workers at All Canadian Courier are the newest members of UFCW Canada Local 175 after recently voting to join the union. The 65 members work as delivery service providers for Amazon at two locations in Mississauga, Ontario.
The All Canadian Courier workers originally voted to join the union in November 2017, but their employer attempted to stall the certification process. The company claimed that the scope of the bargaining unit should include an additional location. The ballots were therefore segregated, and the issue went to the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB). In early January, the parties agreed to the scope for the bargaining unit, which includes the city of Mississauga. In addition, the parties agreed to exclude ballots cast by temporary agency workers for the final vote count.
“Our key in the bargaining unit, Omar Darlehaban, was amazing,” says UFCW Local 175 Organizer Tim Hum. “He worked hard to help his co-workers win this campaign, and it paid off,” Hum adds.
The All Canadian Courier workers sought union representation due to a lack of job security and respect at work, low wages, and minimal access to benefits. Health and safety issues were also a concern, as several employees said their work vehicles were in disrepair.