Bargaining with employer will begin in 30 days: UFCW
Warehouse workers at JLM Supply in Edmonton joined the United Food and Commercial Workers union (UFCW) Canada, Local 401 on Sept. 20 after voting to join the union.
“The main reasons these workers chose to create a union was to fix job security and improve worker safety,” says Saba Mossagizi, UFCW 401 union organizer.
The new members work with gaskets, valves, strainers, swivel joints, bolting and other products and perform physically demanding work that involves shipping, receiving and welding-fabrication, says the union.
“We will be commencing bargaining within 30 days and have agreed to start the process of first contract arbitration within 90 days if necessary,” says Chris O’Halloran, director of organizing at Local 401.
The first contract arbitration process is a new, fast-paced approach to bargaining first-contracts in Alberta that involves high levels of member engagement. Members can expect to see surveys to gauge their wants and expectations. The union will also be looking for members to join the health and safety committee and take up rolls as union stewards, says the union.
UFCW, Local 401 is Alberta’s largest private sector union, representing 32,000 members.
