The Union for agricultural workers in Canada

UFCW Canada: The Union for agricultural workers in Canada

UFCW Canada: the Union for agricultural workers in Canada

United Food and Commercial Workers Canada is the union for agricultural workers in Canada: our union represents hundreds of farm workers across the country, from British Columbia to Quebec. 

UFCW Canada is the best union for farm workers because we help ensure a safe working environment, fight unfair treatment, improve wages, help with immigration and so much more.

In 2024, agricultural workers at Highline Mushrooms in British Columbia made history by being the largest group of farm workers ever to join a union in Canada: they chose UFCW Canada because they knew it was the right union for agricultural workers.

Why UFCW Canada?

For more than three decades, UFCW Canada has led the way to bring justice, safety, seniority, and better wages to workers in the agriculture sector.  UFCW fights for fundamental labour rights and decent work for all agri-food workers: the right to join a union is a fundamental right for all workers.

In 2017, the Government of Canada ratified core ILO convention 98 on the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, which guarantees agricultural workers the right to join a union.

UFCW Canada represents hundreds of farm workers across the country and has decades of experience in support and advocating for agricultural workers in Canada.

UFCW representation at greenhouses, mushroom farms, cannabis and other agricultural operations provide both domestic and migrant agricultural workers with the best wages and workplace protections in the industry.

Choosing UFCW Canada: Agricultural Workers

When agricultural workers at Highline Mushrooms joined UFCW Canada, their first union contract included wage raises, recall rights, support with permanent residency, and improved worker housing rights, among other benefits.

UFCW Canada can help you and your coworkers negotiate a similar agreement, including:

  • Leave entitlements, such as paid sick days
  • Improved workplace safety and zero-tolerance for harassment or discrimination
  • Wage increases and signing bonuses
  • Predictable scheduling
  • Grievance protections
  • Workplace protections
  • And more.

UFCW supports its migrant members

If you are a farm worker here working in Canada under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), UFCW Canada has decades of experience advocating for migrant agricultural workers.

Our migrant members have specific protections written into collective agreements, including transportation and housing, workplace protections, assistance with permanent residency, and more.

In addition, UFCW Canada's Migrant Member Support Program supports our members with immigration support, document preparation, translation support, and free language training. Under this program, hundreds of migrant UFCW members have transitioned to permanent residency, gaining long-term security and full rights in Canada.

Our union is committed to ensuring that our migrant members have the protections, resources, and support you need to work safely and build a secure life in Canada.

 

Why agricultural workers join the union

Being a member of UFCW Canada, means you will have an experienced voice in the workplace who can advocate for your interests. It also means that you will be protected by a collective agreement that can provide you and your colleagues with things like higher wages and better workplace health and safety. The union will help ensure you are treated with fairness and respect in the workplace.

Why agricultural workers join the union

 

“Before the union, if we raised a safety issue, or even just asked to go see a doctor the answer was always the same ‘do you want me to sent you back to your country?’ Since we organized, we have a health-and-safety committee, and incident reports that actually lead to fixes. I’m still doing the same job I have been doing for the past 8 years, but now I feel safe doing it.”

Marco S. (42). Mexican agricultural worker in Langley, BC.

“The biggest motivation to join UFCW is job security to have a personal peace of mind. If anything goes wrong, or if the employer treats you unfairly, the union has your back,” says Kulwinder Kaur, Highline Mushrooms worker in Langley. “I expect all workers at work to be treated respectfully and fairly, and as union members, we should all be treated equally.” –

Kulwinder, Highline Mushrooms worker in Langley, B.C.

 

IUF - Solidarity Across Borders

Global Solidarity

Our union is an affiliate of the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Associations (IUF). As a member, you will have the support of the global labour movement fighting against exploitation in the Agri-Food Industry.

In addition, UFCW Canada has agreements in place with multiple state authorities in Mexico to coordinate support, training and assistance for workers in both Mexico and Canada.

 

UFCW Canada and Agricultural Workers in the news

How to Join the Union: Agricultural Workers

If you are interested in gaining the union advantage and feel that you and your co-workers could benefit from a UFCW Canada collective agreement, we encourage you to join the union.

When you contact UFCW about joining the union, a UFCW Canada organizer will reach out to you to explain the benefits of union membership, and possible next steps for unionizing your workplace.

Remember, all contact with UFCW is completely confidential and free of charge. To learn more about joining the union, and how you can make your workplace better, visit UFCW Canada's Join the Union webpage.