Farmworkers at Highline Mushrooms Break Ground with Industry-Leading Union Agreement

Abbotsford, B.C. – December 19, 2024 – Unionized workers at Highline Mushrooms have overwhelmingly voted in favour of ratifying their first union contract, which will bring life-changing improvements to hundreds of temporary foreign workers.

Earlier this year, 400 workers at Highline Mushrooms joined the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1518, becoming the largest group of farmworkers to unionize in Canada.  

98% of workers voted in favour of the new agreement, which will bring wage raises, recall rights, support with permanent residency, and improved worker housing rights, among other benefits.

 “These temporary foreign workers secured a historic first contract that includes life-changing provisions and raises the bar for the agricultural industry in British Columbia,” said UFCW 1518 President Patrick Johnson. “Non-union migrant agricultural workers often endure long hours, difficult conditions, and low wages. This monumental win highlights why joining a union is the best way workers can secure better living standards, gain dignity at work, and hold their industries accountable to the highest standards.” 

Read the full story of the collective bargaining victory at Highline Mushrooms here.

UFCW Local 1518 represents more than 26,000 members working in the community health, hospitality, retail, cannabis, industrial, and professional sectors across British Columbia. To read more about UFCW 1518 and its outstanding work, visit the local union’s website.

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