How to Join a Union in Ontario

Here are the steps to joining our Union:

A union organizer will meet with you to talk about the issues in your workplace and how we can help you resolve them.

Our Union Organizers are highly experienced and knowledgeable in helping workers achieve rights in the workplace through union representation and will guide you through this process. They will be able to answer any questions you have about the process.

All communication (phone calls, texts, emails, messages, etc) with our Union Organizers is 100% confidential.

2. Sign a Union Card

With the help of a union organizer, you and your co-workers will sign union cards.

All union cards are kept completely confidential and your employer will never find out if you signed one. Only the Ontario Labour Relations Board, an independent government body which oversees employment and labour-relations related matters in the province, will see your signed union card.

Once at least 40% of those working at your workplace sign union cards, our union will contact Ontario Labour Relations Board for a union certification vote. At this time, the employer will also be notified that we have applied to represent workers at your workplace.

IMPORTANT: Do not talk about signing a union card during paid work hours with your co-workers. We encourage you to organize after work and off work premises.

In addition, you and your co-workers are not required to tell your employer that an organizing drive is taking place.

Your employer can generally speak about the union, but they are LEGALLY NOT ALLOWED to threaten, discriminate, make promises, impose penalty or do anything that stops you from making a free decision on union representation.

3. Vote for UFCW Canada Local 1006A

The Ontario Labour Relations Board will conduct a secret ballot vote to determine if the majority of workers in your workplace want a union to represent them.

Voting is completely confidential and your employer will not know how anyone voted. All workers can vote.

If the majority vote ‘YES’ to union representation, UFCW Canada Local 1006A will be certified as the legal bargaining agent for your workplace. From this point on, we will negotiate on your behalf and represent you if you face any problems at work.

4. We voted YES! What happens next?

As a member of UFCW Canada Local 1006A, you will have highly skilled and experienced union representatives working hard to make life better for you and your co-workers.

Union negotiators, along with worker representatives from your workplace, will negotiate a union contract with your employer. The union contract will cover your wages, benefits, vacation, job security, working conditions and much more.

Once your union negotiators reach a fair agreement, they will bring it to the membership for a vote. For the contract to be approved, a majority of workers must vote for the agreement.

Still have questions? Our Union Organizers are experts and here to help – contact us today!

“Every person is free to join a trade union of the person’s own choice and to participate in its lawful activities.”

— Ontario Labour Relations Act

Your right to join a union is protected under Ontario labour law. Your employer is not allowed to interfere with the rights of you and your co-workers to form a union.

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