El Contrato Watch movie for free! Click link here. |
Los Mexicanos: This 2007 documentary follows UFCW Canada organizer Patricia Pérez as she devotes her life to the cause of fairness for migrant workers. (Link in English) |
Note: Currently most agricultural workers in Canada are not union members and do not have access to the following benefits common to unionized workers:
Compare a Union Job to a Non-Union Job
| Union | Non-Union |
|---|---|
| You have a legally binding contract that guarantees your rights, working conditions, job security, paid holidays, wages and benefits. | The employer can make promises but is under no obligation to fulfill them. It is difficult to enforce employment standards. |
| You cannot be fired without just cause and your Union will fight to enforce this right. | The employer can fire you at any time with no reason even if you do good work. If you fight for what you deserve you can lose your job. |
| With each round of negotiations, your Union achieves higher wages and better working conditions for you. | Raises and promotions are few and far between and completely up to the discretion of management where favouritism can play a major role. |
| You have the grievance procedure to fight against unfair treatment, poor working conditions or anything else that violates your collective agreement or the provincial Human Rights Code. | The employer can force you to work in unsafe conditions and change the pace or requirements of your job with no warning and no consequence. Harassment and discrimination rarely go challenged. |
| Your contract provides excellent benefits including life insurance, hospital care, vision and dental care coverage, disability benefits and pension plans - all without additional costs to you. | The employer decides on benefits and often they cost you extra money. In addition, these benefits can be changed or taken away with no notice. |
Better Pay & Benefits
Government statistics show unionized workers make an average of 30 per cent more that non-unionized workers in the same industries.
Job Security
You will never be unjustly fired or disciplined. It is up to the employer to prove they have just cause to take such action and you will have the resources of the Union’s legal department fighting to get your job or missed pay back to you as soon as possible.
Grievance Procedures
Your rights as set out in your collective agreement are protected. The violation of these rights will lead to the filing of a grievance. You must inform your Steward and/or Union Representative if your rights have been violated - whether it be with regard to pay, benefits, harassment or any other rights’ violation. Grievance procedures are timely and if unresolved between the employer and Union, may proceed to arbitration, based on their merits.
Strong Collective Agreements
Elected negotiating committees consult with members to find out the important issues in a round of negotiations. Your collective agreement, in addition to better benefits and wages, also guarantees you hours of work, seniority rights, protection from harassment and discrimination, safe working conditions and scheduled break times.
Health and Welfare
Union Members enjoy some of the best health and welfare benefits in Canada. This includes pensions, dental and vision care coverage, sick pay, disability insurance and many other benefits. Your collective agreement ensures you have the freedom to take necessary time off work, start a family or take the vacation you want and deserve.
AWA Growing Strong Poster
English
Report On The Status of Migrant Workers in Canada 2015
English
AgWorkers Poster (English)
National Reports on the Status of Migrant Farm workers
2002 - English - Français
2003 - English - Français
2004 - English - Français
2005 - English - Français
2006/2007 - English - Français - Spanish
Where To Get Assistance Brochure
The agriculture Workers resource page is a continuously growing and expending source library of informative documents and media materials available to AWA members, NGOs support groups and individuals worldwide.
Please, browse the resource library and check with us regularly to keep informed about the latest updates on Canadian farm workers social struggles and victories.
Get involved! Join our group of activists by becoming a member.
Fraser v. Ontario
Agriculture Employees Protection Act (AEPA)
Link
Dunmore v. Ontario
This Supreme Court of Canada decision upholds freedom of association for Agricultural workers.
Link
Fraser v. Ontario
This decision upholds the Agricultural Employees Protection Act, for the time being.
Link
Fraser v. Canada (Attorney General)
This decision grants standing to UFCW Canada to represent migrant agricultural workers regarding mandatory Employment Insurance premiums.
Link
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United Food and Commercial Workers Union
Canada's private sector union
