Leamington, Ont. – December 16, 2017 – Workers at the Erie Glen Manor Retirement Residence in Leamington, Ontario are the newest members of UFCW Canada Local 175 after recently voting to join the union.

The employees at this retirement residence in Southwestern Ontario were seeking a number of improvements to their working conditions, which prompted them to contact the union. The 38 new members join the ever-growing Health, Office & Professional Employees (HOPE) sector of UFCW Canada Local 175. Members are employed as registered practical nurses (RPNs), cooks, dietary aides, housekeepers, and team leaders.

The Erie Glen Manor workers were already part of an employee association at their workplace but felt they had no real voice. They believed their input was neither wanted nor valued. The workers recognize that a binding collective agreement – voted on by all members of the bargaining unit – will give them the voice they are seeking, and will also be valuable in removing favouritism and problems with scheduling hours of work and vacations.

Workers are seeking good contract language to provide job security, a harassment-free workplace, and wage improvements to be competitive with other retirement homes in the area. These workers want a grievance procedure with enforceable language put in place. They also want the opportunity to have their voices heard, and they now have the strength of 70,000 members behind them as members of UFCW Canada Local 175.