Vancouver – June 20, 2020 – Restaurant workers at Cartems Donuts are the newest members of UFCW Local 1518 after voting overwhelmingly to join the union in a historic electronic certification vote.

Prior to the vote, the British Columbia Labour Relations Board (LRB) ruled that workers in B.C. can vote to join a union electronically in addition to in-person voting and mail-in ballots. This decision marks a powerful step forward in the province’s labour movement, as it will make it easier for young, vulnerable, and gig economy workers to join unions.

The electronic voting experience is much closer to a traditional in-person vote as it happens in a timely window after the workers apply to the LRB to hold a vote. The workers only need to wait 5 days to vote rather than waiting several months to have their voices heard. During COVID-19, the ability to vote electronically became even more important as the union sought ways to organize workers while maintaining physical distancing.

“The decision to allow electronic union certification is historic,” says UFCW 1518 President Kim Novak. “Workers are building power during COVID-19 because they know how essential they are in our communities. Being able to welcome them to our union through electronic voting is an exciting step towards a new future where every worker can have a strong voice at work.”

Workers at Cartems Donuts voted to join UFCW 1518 by a landslide, and are excited to help make Cartems an even better place to work. Cartems Donuts has been serving hand-made donuts to Vancouverites for nearly a decade. They are known for their fresh, locally sourced ingredients and quirky donut offerings.

To read more about the breakthrough union victory at Cartems Donuts, click here.

UFCW Local 1518 represents 24,000 members working in the community health, service and hospitality, retail, industrial, and professional sectors across B.C. To learn more about UFCW 1518 and its outstanding work, visit the Local Union’s website.

How can I join the union?

Are you a non-unionized worker who would like to enjoy the benefits of a UFCW Canada collective agreement? Do you and your co-workers want to gain the union advantage at work? Join Canada’s best union, UFCW Canada, and make your workplace better today. Click here to join now.