New agriculture bargaining unit in Quebec

Agriculture workers at  Ferme B. Cousineau & fils S. E. N. C.  — a Quebec field crop operation and storage facility — have become the newest members of UFCW Canada Local 501 following a successful organizing campaign.

The field crop and vegetable packing warehouse is located in Saint-Roch-de-l'Achigan, Quebec, about 60 kilometers north of Montreal. Members of the bargaining unit include migrant and temporary workers from Mexico and Guatemala. While the field crop operation is seasonal, the warehouse and packaging facility operates year-round.

"We welcome the new members at Ferme B. Cousineau and thank them for their support," says UFCW Canada Local 501 President Alain Lachaîne. "We look forward to representing the members at Cousineau, and to commencing the process to bargain a first collective agreement."

Ferme B. Cousineau & fils S. E. N. C is the eighth UFCW Canada agriculture bargaining unit certified in Quebec. Applications for certification at three other Québec agriculture employers are currently awaiting a decision by the Superior Court of Québec.