About 30 part-time UWSA workers will form the MGEU’s newest Local: UWSA Non-Admin - Local 433. Workers in the Local (including those at the UWSA Food Bank, Info Booth, and the UWSA Bike Lab) chose the MGEU after seeing first-hand the benefits union membership had to offer to their full-time co-workers of UWSA Local 153.
“We recognized that getting improvements to working conditions, having good paying jobs, and having the same benefits as our unionized co-workers would create a better sense of shared purpose, cooperation, and solidarity,” says Bike Lab employee Robin Bryan.
In a somewhat unique organizing drive, the employer supported the rights of the employees to join the MGEU.
“I am keenly aware of the vital role unions play in empowering young workers and ensuring their rights are respected,” says UWSA President Peyton Veitch, who is a former labour organizer.
With the new part-time additions, it means all employees of the UWSA (except for those employed in the daycare) are now represented by the MGEU.
“On behalf of all MGEU members, I’d like to welcome our newest members from the UWSA,” says MGEU President Michelle Gawronsky. “It’s great to see how much they value what union membership has to offer and I look forward to working with them.”
The first step for the new Local will be to hold elections and get to the bargaining table to establish their first collective agreement.