Loyalist Township, Ontario – May 8, 2018 – Following a difficult three-month campaign, workers at Direct Coil are the newest members of UFCW Canada Local 175 after voting “Yes!” to joining the union.

The 100 full-time employees manufacture commercial and industrial heat exchangers and refrigeration and heat transfer equipment in the small, close-knit community of Millhaven, located in Loyalist Township, Ontario.

The plant keys were essential to the campaign’s success. They took great pride in their efforts to bring the benefits of union membership to their co-workers. Even when the employer fired one of the keys, it did not stop him from continuing to help with the campaign. In fact, co-workers established a collection fund to assist the co-worker in question when he was fired. Despite a number of challenges, and misinformation from the employer, the Direct Coil employees stood strong and won their union. 

“The Direct Coil workers really look out for each other,” says UFCW 175 Organizer Ricardo Bocanegra. “Most importantly, they stayed united throughout the campaign, and really demonstrated what solidarity looks like in action. It took everyone working together to achieve this victory, and we are very proud of their achievements,” he adds.

Employees listed a number of concerns that drove them to seek union membership. The workers want to achieve fairer wages, better job security, respect and dignity at work, benefits, and improved workplace health. They also want to put an end to favouritism and harassment on the job.

Job roles at the facility include: copper fabricators, leak testers, brazers, large coil builders, sheet metal operators, coil expanders, drill set-up operators, fin press operators, and receivers.