Canadian Labour Reporter

Grocery workers join Unifor MONCTON, N.B. — Follow- ing a card signing effort, 155 workers at the Loblaw DC 14 grocery warehouse in Moncton, N.B. joined Unifor on March 24, which already represents work- ers at the two other Loblaws warehouse locations in the city. "This was made possible by the incredible work of a strong committee that worked dili- gently to collect signatures on cards and to speak to workers about the benefits of joining Unifor," says Kellie Scanlan, Unifor director of organizing. The job classifications of the new members include shipping and receiving, warehousing and transport (truck drivers and shunters). CUPE 718 welcomes fitness professionals RICHMOND, B.C. — The Canadian Union of Public Em- ployees (CUPE), Local 718 wel- comed 56 new members after a labour relations board certi- fication vote was confirmed on March 23. The new members are fitness professionals who work for the Richmond Fitness and Wellness Association in Richmond, B.C. The employees — who are also existing employees at the Minoru Centre for Active Liv- ing and the Watermania fit- ness centre — include personal trainers, fitness attendants, group land fitness leaders and aqua-fitness leaders, says the union. "The work they do to help members of the community maintain and improve their health is so important during these difficult times, and we ex- pect to see more of them join us in the near future as programs start up again," says Dal Ben- ning, CUPE, 718 president. CUPE, 718 represents 1,300 municipal employees for the City of Richmond. These mem- bers work at city hall and at lo- cal community centres, arenas, the cultural centre and the mu- seum, as well as in public works and for the RCMP, says the union. Arbitration filed at Montreal agency MONTREAL — Faced with the stalemate in negotiations over the last 10 months at Diogène suivi communautaire, the Unit- ed Steelworkers (USW) filed for arbitration for a first collective agreement on March 29. Quebec's labour code allows for first-contract arbitration after unsuccessful negotiations and conciliation attempts, says the union. "While the need for services is great, the employer has laid off an employee and refuses to replace absent workers, thus weakening the teams that as- sessed the needs of clients be- fore employees decide to form a union," says Pierre Arseneau, USW coordinator for the Mon- treal area. Over the past year, the union took legal action against anti- union practices. Six complaints have been filed on issues includ- ing employee dismissal, unlaw- ful modification of working conditions after unionization, interference in the affairs of the union and unjustified disci- pline, says USW. The Steelworkers are request- ing first-contract arbitration in the hope that management will come to terms with the reality of the union's presence in the work- place. "A first collective agreement will help us get over the hump and create a more positive envi- ronment," says Arseneau. Diogène suivi communau- taire helps people with mental health challenges associated with legal issues and homeless- ness. Event Partner MAY 11, 2021 | ONLINE HRD presents a one-day virtual summit that will provide senior HR and wellbeing professionals in Canada with valuable insights on how to support the wellbeing of their workforces – featuring case studies, panel discussions and workshops by HR leaders from top companies. FEATURED SPEAKERS MARY ANN BAYNTON Director of Collaboration and Strategy Workplace Strategies for Mental Health SCOTT STE MARIE Founder Depression to Expression AMY DEACON Clinical Social Worker, Founder of Toronto Wellness Counselling DR. KATY KAMKAR, PH.D. C. Psych. 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