UFCW Canada: the Union for greenhouse workers in Canada

UFCW is the union for greenhouse workers

UFCW is the union for greenhouse workers

United Food and Commercial Workers Canada is the union for greenhouse workers in Canada: our union has decades of experience in support and advocating for greenhouse workers in provinces across the country.

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

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.

Facts about Greenhouse Agriculture in Canada

  • Greenhouse, nursery and floriculture production is the biggest employer in agriculture in Canada, with almost 64,000 workers

  • The greenhouse sector in Canada contributes $2.5 billion in exports

  • Last year, over 70,000 temporary foreign workers (TWFs) were employed in primary agriculture in Canada

  • Over 33,000 temporary foreign workers are employed in Ontario, with over half of them working in greenhouses or nurseries

Why greenhouse 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 agricultural worker

Why should greenhouse 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.

Why should greenhouse workers join UFCW?

 

Choosing UFCW Canada: Greenhouse Workers

When greenhouse workers at Lufa Farms joined UFCW Canada, their first union contractincluded wage increases, training bonuses, rights of refusal, scheduling improvements and more.

UFCW Canada can help you and your coworkers negotiate a similar agreement, including:

  • Leave entitlements, such as paid sick days
  • Improved workplace safety and zero-tolerance for harassment or discrimination
  • Wage increases and signing bonuses
  • Predictable scheduling
  • Grievance protections
  • Workplace protections
  • and more

UFCW supports its migrant members

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

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

Our union is committed to ensuring that our migrant members have the protections, resources, and support you need to work safely and build a secure life in Canada.

 

UFCW supports its migrant members

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

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

Our union is committed to ensuring that our migrant members have the protections, resources, and support you need to work safely and build a secure life in Canada.

UFCW Canada and Greenhouse Workers

Agriculture workers at Lufa Farms join the union – UFCW 501

First contract for members at Lufa Farms – UFCW 501

Farmworkers at Highline Mushrooms Break Ground with Industry-Leading Union Agreement (UFCW 1518)

UFCW Canada partners with Ecojustice to mount legal challenge to ensure health and safety of farm workers