How to Organize in Nova Scotia

Step 1: Contact UFCW Canada

Call our Atlantic Canada office at 902.832.0186 or email UFCW Canada. Ask to speak with an organizer. He or she is a specialist in labour law and will answer all your questions. All contacts with UFCW Canada are confidential. No obligation.

Step 2: Sign UFCW Canada Membership Cards

With the guidance of an organizer, you and your co-workers sign UFCW Canada membership cards. The employer never sees these cards. UFCW Canada organizers are sworn to protect confidentiality.

When at least 40% of the employees in a workplace sign UFCW Canada cards, the union can apply to the Nova Scotia Labour Relations Board for a vote.

Step 3: Vote for UFCW Canada

The Labour Board conducts a secret ballot vote in your workplace generally five days after the union applies for one. No one will know how you voted. If a majority of those who vote say YES, the Labour Board can certify UFCW Canada as your legal bargaining agent.

Now that you have a Union.

Your employer and UFCW representatives (including workers from your bargaining unit) then sit down to negotiate a collective agreement. This agreement - the union contract - sets out the wages, benefits, working conditions, job security and other rights of the workers.

UFCW Canada has experienced, professional negotiators who know your industry and what is realistic. We've been representing Canadian workers for over 100 years.

You and your co-workers have the final say on any collective agreement, once again, through a secret ballot vote. UFCW Canada is a democratic union.

UFCW Canada Will Protect Your Rights Under Nova Scotia Labour Law

Most employers would rather not have their employees represented by a union. But the choice is not theirs. Under Nova Scotia labour law, your employer cannot interfere with your decision to join a union. Employers can talk about the union generally but are forbidden from making any promises or threats, or to do anything that might prevent employees from making a free decision.

If your employer breaks the law, UFCW Canada can take legal steps to enforce your rights.

What are you waiting for?

If you think you need a union, you probably do. UFCW Canada is one of Canada's largest and most respected unions. A better life for you and your co-workers is just a phone call or email away. Contact us today.