UFCW Canada
ABBOTSFORD, British Columbia, June 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Farmworkers at four High-line Mushroom factory farms in British Columbia have applied to join the Canadian Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW). High-line Mushroom is one of Canada’s largest mushroom producers and is owned by multinational agri-food giant Fyffes.
This victory reflects the drive and determination of Highline Mushroom workers to improve their working conditions, and marks the first time in many years that a group of migrant farmworkers in Canada has collectively exercised their fundamental right to join a trade union.
Agricultural workers are some of the most vulnerable workers in Canada, working without protections for multi-billion dollar multinational agri-food conglomerates. Canada’s mushroom industry alone employs more than 5,000 agricultural workers across more than 250 mushroom farms, generating more than $650 million in annual revenue. The mushroom industry is built on the labour of migrant agricultural workers who work on farms, working long, backbreaking hours and earning piecework or wages barely above minimum wage. The victory at Highline Mushroom Farms is a major step towards changing the industry as workers assert their rights and demand that their voices be heard.
“We want to join a union because we want fairer treatment, support in case of workplace accidents, stable work schedules, safe housing and recall rights. We want to have a voice,” says union activist Karen. “We want a workplace free of danger, fair treatment and job security.”
The main concerns of workers at Highline Mushrooms are improved health and safety, a safe and fair working environment, being treated with dignity and respect, and the ability to bargain collectively.
“We congratulate the workers at Highline Mushrooms for their courage and determination to advocate for their rights,” said Patrick Johnson, president of UFCW 1518. “We are excited about the potential of representing these workers and improving their lives by negotiating a strong union contract.”
In exercising their labor rights, Fifth Highline Mushrooms workers are supported by local, national and international labor unions.
“For the past 30 years, UFCW has played a leading role in helping migrant workers exercise their fundamental rights,” said Sean Haggerty, national president of UFCW Canada. “Workers’ rights are human rights, and we are proud to welcome the Fifth Mushroom workers into the UFCW family.”
Fyffes, the parent company of Highline Mushrooms, is committed to upholding human and labor rights in its business principles, including a core commitment to respect workers’ fundamental labor rights based on freedom of association as defined by the International Labor Organization (ILO).
The story continues
This victory for Highline Mushroom workers is also a victory for the global food workers movement. Committed to supporting worker self-reliance, UFCW Canada works closely with the International Food Federation (IUF) to connect Highline Mushroom workers with Fyffes workers around the world, building global solidarity.
“This win in Canada is an inspiration to migrant food workers around the world, who are the backbone of the global agri-food industry,” said IUF Executive Director Sue Longley. “Fiffes has made a strong commitment in its global policy to fully respect workers’ freedom of association and collective bargaining rights, and we trust they will respect these principles. The world and the global food workers movement are taking notice.”
about
UFCW Canada (United Food and Commercial Workers) represents more than 255,000 members across Canada who work in all sectors of the food industry, from field to fork. For 30 years, UFCW Canada has been the leading voice and advocate for domestic and migrant agricultural workers.
contact
Derek Johnston, UFCW Canada
Phone: 416-679-3417
Email: derek.johnstone@ufcw.ca
