Local UFCW votes today on unification

A proposed combination of two wings of the same Alberta union would put most largescale meat production in the province under the same labour relations roof.

The United Food And Commercial Workers union represents about 32,000 workers in the province — including more than 4,000 beef plant workers.

It’s the largest private sector union in Alberta, but currently though, those members are split between two sub locals, namely Nos. 401 and 1118.

The presidents of both are endorsing a combination to boost bargaining power and cut costs. UFCW 401 members in Medicine Hat, Brooks and Taber will vote on the proposal today to conclude a month-long membership vote.

“The biggest thing is that both (union) locals operate differently in the same (locations),” said Local No. 401 president Douglas O’Halloran, citing grocery operations in several cities that deal with both locals.

“There’s a lot of duplication, and (amalgamating) makes sense as employers get bigger.”

Having two locals deal with a single employer costs money to send out representatives, he said, and the setup cuts bargaining power in two when, instead, one contract covering more workers could be negotiated with a single employer province-wide.

Conversely, a unified UFCW would provide a single voice to different employers in the same industry. The two wings currently deal differently with the JBS plant in Brooks and the Cargill beef processing plant in High River.

“My philosophy has always been to have labour costs equal and have employers to their thing based upon things like cattle buying and meat sales,” said O’Halloran.

One labour observer says the factions could benefit from unity to tackle generally declining labour power and make gains as Alberta’s recently amended labour code.

“Generally the axiom that bigger is better is true,” said Bob Barnetson, an instructor at the University of Athabasca specializing on labour history and affairs.

“The more members you have, the more power you have and the better you can represent members.”

Though there is overlap, Local No. 1118’s traditional territory is the larger food production sector,

Beside Cargill in High River, it holds certification at Maple Leaf Foods and the Olymel pork plants, as well as Alberta Distilleries, Richardson oilseed processing, and Canada Malting.

Local No. 1118 was in place at ADM Flour Mill in Medicine Hat, before it closed in 2013, and still represents some workers at the Riverview Care Centre.