Workers at Karis Disability Service join the union – UFCW 175

Ottawa – March 13, 2025 – UFCW Local 175 welcomes more than 300 new members at 20 different locations of Karis Disability Services in the city of Ottawa.

This caring group of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) provide support and services to adults with exceptional needs who require assistance in their day-to-day lives.

Some of the concerns that led these workers to seek union representation included better wages and benefits, more fairness and less favouritism, improved working conditions, seniority and job security, and professional recognition.

“Our union provides a collective voice, empowering workers to negotiate with their employers. We know these workers provide exceptional support for their community and they will achieve great things in bargaining to ensure they and their co-workers have all the resources and support they need to do this important work,” said UFCW 175 President Kelly Tosato.

Read more about the organizing victory at Karis Disability Service.

UFCW Locals 175 & 633 represents more than 70,000 working people across all sectors of the Ontario economy including hospitality and services, health care, retail grocery and pharmacy, food production, meat processing, manufacturing, packaging, and more. To learn more about UFCW 175 & 633 and their outstanding work, visit the local union’s website.

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Are you a non-unionized worker who would like to enjoy the benefits of a UFCW Canada union contract? 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 now.