Edmonton care workers vote over 80% to unionize

Last Hallowe’en, workers employed at an Edmonton nonprofit filed an application with the Alberta Labour Relations Board to unionize their workplace.

The workers submitted the application through Local 1-207 of the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union, otherwise known as the United Steelworkers or USW.

The more than 100 workers are employed as health care aides and licensed practical nurses by Edmonton People in Need Shelter Society, a non-profit that provides housing and services to people who have severe and persistent chronic mental illness.

These workers care for clients in 155 beds throughout 3 Edmonton People in Need Shelter Society facilities in the Edmonton area.

According to an update published on the USW website last month, the ALRB conducted a certification vote on 30 November and 1 December.

Over 80% of the workers who participated in the certification vote indicated that they wanted to join the union.

We’re finding out the results of the vote only now because Edmonton People in Need Shelter Society had filed objections with the ALRB, resulting in the board sealing the voting results.

Maria Ramos, a worker employed by Edmonton People in Need Shelter Society, said in a statement that the unionization effort was about unifying the workers and strengthening the employer as an institution.

We wanted to help give the workers at Edmonton People In Need Shelter Society a unified voice, not only for them but also to bring strength and sustainability to the whole company. We have a deep reverence for the institution and what it does for the people of Edmonton and surrounding communities and we strongly believe a union will allow greater care to be given to those in need.

Unionizing is only the first step, however. These workers will need to organize a bargaining committee and begin negotiating with Edmonton People In Need Shelter Society on a collective agreement.