Community workers join union – UFCW 175 & 633

Toronto – May 16, 2025 – The workers at Toronto Community Hostels have voted to join UFCW Local 175.

This community outreach workers wanted to change the working conditions in their workplace in order to improve their day-to-day work-lives. The new members work as case workers, outreach, settlement or housing workers, chefs and cleaners, providing urgent housing and services to newly-arrived refugees.

“Strong community services depend on strong community workers. These employees are dedicated and give a great deal of themselves doing the work they do, but they’ve been stretched too thin for too long,” said UFCW 175 President Kelly Tosato. “By joining UFCW, they’re standing together to advocate for fair pay, safer working conditions, and more support to do their jobs effectively.”

With the union, these workers hope to bring about positive changes to address issues that have plagued the workplace in the past. As a priority, our newest members look forward to negotiating toward standardized pay, improved mental health support, fair workplace practices, job security, and a formal grievance process.

Read the full organizing story at Toronto Community Hostels.

UFCW Locals 175 & 633 represents more than 70,000 working people across all sectors of the Ontario economy including hospitality and services, health care, retail grocery and pharmacy, food production, meat processing, manufacturing, packaging, and more. To learn more about UFCW 175 & 633 and their outstanding work, visit the local union’s website.

How can I join the union?

Are you a non-unionized worker who would like to enjoy the benefits of a UFCW Canada collective agreement? Do you and your co-workers want to gain the union advantage at work? Join Canada’s best union, UFCW Canada, to make your workplace better today. Click here to join the union now.