Soccer, sun and solidarity at Montreal migrant workers' event

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Recently, UFCW Canada Local 501 in collaboration with the AWA support centres in Saint-Rémi and Saint-Eustache organized a cultural and sports event outing for migrant agriculture workers in the Montreal area.

More than 20 migrant agriculture workers joined staff members of the AWA support centres on August 18, for an afternoon BBQ tailgate party outside Montreal's Saputo Stadium, followed by a Montreal Impact soccer match against the San Jose Earthquakes. The sun, solidarity, and the delicious food all guaranteed the success of the day.

For several years, UFCW Canada Local 501 has been working in collaboration with the Agricultural Workers Alliance to improve the lives and working conditions of the thousands of migrant workers who come every year to Quebec to work in the agricultural sector, and currently represents nine agriculture bargaining units in the province.

“We think that this type of event helps us build ties with the workers and also gives them a chance to get away from their workplaces where they work long hours” says Alain Lachaîne, president of UFCW Canada Local 501, who also participated in the get-together. “We wanted them to get to know their union and the people who work for it better and realize that there is someone who has their well-being at heart.”