The approximately 55 new members of UFCW Local 1006A hold a variety of jobs at the U.S.-based restaurant chain, including hostesses, servers, bartenders, and kitchen staff.
Key issues that led to unionization included the desire for a say in the workplace, health and safety concerns, and scheduling inconsistencies.
Restaurant staffers say they’re relieved that they can now turn to the union if a workplace issue arises. “The main theme that carried us in this campaign was that people shouldn’t have to be afraid at work,” said a worker at the Red Lobster location in Nepean, Ontario. “Now we have hope. We can never go back to the way it was before. We will win a contract, and we will choose our own future.”
“We are thrilled to welcome our newest members from Red Lobster into the UFCW Local 1006A family,” said President Wayne Hanley. “We look forward to working together with our members to improve their rights and livelihoods and build a fairer workplace for all.”
“The workers were very knowledgeable and had done their research in choosing UFCW Local 1006A,” said Lesley Prince, Director of Organizing. “They inspire us with their courage and determination to come together for fairness at work.”
Following the Burlington, Ontario, location, which has approximately 55 employees, this is the second Red Lobster location in the region to join the local and the third in Canada.