UFCW Canada: the Union for Mushroom Workers

UFCW Canada: The Union for Mushroom Workers

UFCW is the union for mushroom workers

United Food and Commercial Workers Canada is the union for mushroom workers: our union currently represents hundreds of workers at mushroom farms and production facilities in Canada.  

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

In 2024, 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 mushroom workers.

Why UFCW Canada?

United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Canada is one of Canada’s most experienced unions. We represent over 255,000 workers across the country who work in all parts of the food industry, including hundreds of farm workers across the country. UFCW Canada has decades of experience advocating for agricultural members in Canada.

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.

Why should mushroom workers join UFCW?

  • No fear of termination: UFCW will fight to stop unfair terminations and harassment. Workers cannot fired without cause.
  • No workers abandoned: With a UFCW contract, workers cannot be fired if they are injured on the job.
  • Better working conditions:a union contract means that you have someone to fight for safer workplaces, better scheduling, and fair treatments.
  • ESL classes & Permanent Residence: UFCW provides free ESL classes to help you qualify for Permanent Residence, along with complimentary assistance to file your application at no cost.

When 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 supports its migrant members

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

Our migrant members have specific protections written into collective agreements, such as 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.

 

UFCW Canada and Mushroom Workers in the news

How to Join the Union: Mushroom 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.

 

Why mushroom 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.

“After the union came in, we were able to negotiate posted schedules, paid overtime, and a grievance process that works. We are no longer afraid of speaking out when we see a health and safety hazard or if a supervisor cuts our hours to punish us. We now have a steward and a union representative who support us.” –  Jennifer, UFCW member and mushroom worker

 

Why mushroom workers join the union