Canadian Tire workers vote “YES!” to join the union – UFCW 175 & 633

Ottawa – September 3, 2025 – Retail workers at a Canadian Tire store in Ottawa have said “YES” to joining the union. The approximately 75 employees at the store, which is located on Heron Road near Carleton University, are now members of Local 175 of the United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW).

“These workers are looking for what many workers want when they join a union: better wages, better benefits, support, and respect,” said UFCW Local 175 President Kelly Tosato. “Having a voice in your working conditions is empowering and it can bring about life-changing improvements to a worker’s day-to-day life – and we’re here to help these workers build better lives for themselves through the power of collective bargaining and solidarity.”

For many employees, issues such as wages, benefits, chronic understaffing, dispute resolution, and disciplinary procedures were key reasons for organizing. Workers say they felt unheard and disrespected for too long and wanted a stronger voice in their workplace.

With the vote now complete, members are optimistic and ready to begin bargaining their first collective agreement—an important step toward securing meaningful improvements in their working conditions.

The vote was held over a 24-hour period beginning August 21. While the organizing campaign tested the determination of the employees, their successful outcome ensures they can now move forward with the support and strength of UFCW Local 175.

Read more about the organizing victory at Canadian Tire here.

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.

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Are you a non-unionized worker who would like to enjoy the benefits of a UFCW Canada union contract? 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 now.