1. Union Support Cards

• Working with staff from our union, you and the majority of your co-workers (45%) sign a support card indicating you would like the BC Labour Relations Board to hold a unionization vote at your workplace.
• This process is confidential. Your employer will never have the right to know who did or did not sign. Your employer cannot legally take action against anyone for signing a card.

2. Secret Ballot Vote

• When a majority of your co-workers have signed a union card, the BC Labour Relations Board will hold a secret ballot vote to form a union at your workplace.
• Vote “Yes” to join the union.

3. Collective Agreement Proposals

• You and your co-workers submit proposals as to what should be the new collective agreement in your workplace.
• Your new contract will spell out wages, benefits, respect and job security.

The most important thing to know is that every British Columbian has the right to join a union.

The BC Labour Relations Code ensures you have the following legal rights.

• You are free to decide to join or not join a union.
• Your employer cannot fire you, suspend you, transfer you, lay you off, refuse to continue employing you or otherwise discriminate against you for being involved with the process of forming a union.
• You are free to express your views on unionization without reprisal.

Don’t let the employer’s anti-union tactics get to you. You have questions, we have answers:

• Why is this happening at Clarity Cannabis?
• UFCW was contacted by some of your co-workers and asked to assist them to gain the power to negotiate long-lasting improvements to their jobs. This is achieved by becoming unionized.
• What positive changes can a union make to my job?
• Union members decide on what changes your union will try to make but below is what we’re hearing Clarity Cannabis workers want to be changed:

1. Better Wages – A union will negotiate a fair wage scale that provides workers with regular pre-approved wage increases! No need to ask for a raise anymore, they are guaranteed.
2. Education – Being a Budtender is a skilled job that requires education and certification. A union will bring your proposals to the bargaining table to negotiate provisions to support education and training initiatives like Budtender Sommelier courses and government certification fees.
3. Scheduling and Consistency – With a union, you will have a contract that will set out required notice periods for scheduling. The number of hours of work can be negotiated through bargaining and put into the collective agreement to ensure that there is consistency in terms of expectation of hours.
4. Uniforms – A union will work to negotiate uniform standards that are consistent and fair for everyone.
5. Professional advocacy and support – With a union workers are not left alone with management to deal with their issues. Union members have access to union representatives, labour lawyers, and Workers Compensation lawyers, as well as any other consult your union determines, is needed.
6. Enforceable Employment Contact – All unionized workplaces have a mutually agreed upon employment contract known as a collective agreement. This collective agreement will secure the working conditions workers have today as well as all the improvement made during negotiation. Your employer has a legal obligation to negotiate with your union in “Good Faith.”
7. Fair treatment – The fight for fairness first lies with workers gaining the power of being able to change their working environment. Workers coming together will give you all the power to make your jobs better for you and those who come after you. We are stronger together!

• Will my employer know if I signed a union membership card?
• No, your employer will never see or find out who signed the cards, just as they will never know if you voted. The entire process is designed by the government to be anonymous.
• I signed a union membership card, am I unionized now?
• No, we need to win the secret ballot vote for that to happen. The union relies on card signers to vote in favour of joining UFCW 1518, so if you sign please show up to the vote!
• Can I get fired for supporting a union?
• No, this would be illegal. However, in the unlikely event that a supporter is terminated because of their support for joining UFCW, we will hire a lawyer to represent supporters at no cost to them. UFCW will not tolerate any employer violating workers’ rights to form a union.
• I am happy with the way things are now. Why do I need a union?
• Securing what you have today into a legally binding contract ensures that what you like about your job stays that way even if there is a change of management and even ownership. Belonging to a union also creates a support network: Stewards, union representatives, negotiators and lawyers will be there to ensure your fair treatment at work.
• How much does this cost?
• There is no cost to join until your first collective agreement is voted in. Once you start benefiting from it, your dues will be no more than 2% of your earnings. Union dues are 100% tax deductible.

More questions? Concerns? Get in touch with our professional union organizers today by writing an email to sportman@ufcw1518.com or calling 604-230-4874.

Ready for positive change at work?