Funeral Home Workers Join Union – UFCW 175 & 633

Kirkland Lake, Ont. – May 16, 2024 – Workers at the Timiskaming Funeral Cooperative have voted in favour of joining UFCW Locals 175 & 633.

As a previously run small business, the workers at Timiskaming Funeral Cooperative have been a close group, like family, for a long time. Once new owners took over several years ago, everything changed. The workers found that their job security was in jeopardy and they felt the pressure of layoffs and wage reductions.

A new employer can bring abrupt changes that threaten the livelihoods of workers, particularly in small businesses and non-union workplaces. These changes leave workers looking for a solution that can bring back that sense of security. For this, and other reasons, the workers at Timiskaming Funeral Cooperative decided to join the union.

“Workers need security and above all, they want to feel their jobs are protected. They deserve to feel secure in their ability to provide a life for themselves and their families,” said Kelly Tosato, President of UFCW Local 175. “We applaud their decision to unionize and welcome them to the growing UFCW Locals 175 & 633 family.”

The newest members of UFCW Local 175, who work as funeral directors, drivers, and removal staff, are happy with the result of their certification vote. They are looking forward to beginning the process of bargaining their first collective agreement as union members.

Read the full story of Timiskaming Funeral Cooperative workers joining the union here.

UFCW Locals 175 & 633 represents more than 70,000 union members across Ontario working including approximately 42,000 retail workers at Loblaw, Metro, and Sobeys banner stores, and more. In addition, UFCW Locals 175 & 633 has thousands of more members working in the industrial, health care, hospitality, manufacturing, packinghouse, and other sectors. To learn more about UFCW 175 & 633 and their 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, to make your workplace better today. Click here to join the union now.