Posts Categorized: On Point

Social service workers at Kinark Child and Family Services in the city of Oshawa in Ontario, Canada, recently joined UFCW Locals 175 and 633. Kinark Child and Family Services provides autism, child and youth forensic and mental health services, and these workers are employed as consultants and instructor therapists.

These workers joined our union because many of them felt overworked and undervalued. In addition to better pay and benefits, the workers are seeking enhanced job security, seniority rights, stronger safety protocols, and greater inclusion in decision-making processes.

“Unionization in community services is essential because the people who care for our most vulnerable populations deserve dignity, fair wages, and a real voice on the job,” said UFCW Local 175 President Kelly Tosato. “When workers are empowered, the quality of care improves — and that benefits the entire community.”

“These members have seen the difference that joining a union can make and they decided they wanted better for themselves and their co-workers,” added Tosato. “We encourage all workers to speak up and make your voice heard by joining the union.”

About 1,100 members of UFCW Local 75 who work at CVS stores in Cincinnati, Dayton and Toledo, Ohio, northern Kentucky and Indiana ratified a new contract on Oct. 10.

The four-year contract includes the following provisions:

• Guarantees wage increases for all employees each year of the agreement.
  
  
• Protects affordable health care benefits.
  
  
• Maintains health care plan designs over the term of the agreement, including coverage for eligible members, spouses, and dependents, and part-time employees.
   
• Includes a bonus for employee service milestones.
   
• Improves bereavement leave.
  
  
• Implements safer working conditions.
  
  
• Includes a full-time qualification so that employees qualify for full-time status after working 30 hours per week for 12 consecutive weeks.

“I’m incredibly proud of what we on the bargaining committee were able to achieve,” said CVS employee Sophie Simmons, who served as an executive board member of the bargaining committee. “This contract shows that when we speak with one united voice, we win. The gains we made will make a real difference in our lives and set a stronger standard for all retail pharmacy workers.”

“This agreement is a major victory for our members at CVS that are on the front lines serving our communities,” said UFCW Local 75 President Kevin Garvey. “Not only does this contract include significant wage increases, it provides our members with the best health care package in the industry.”