Ontario labour board certifies Unifor to represent workers at Walmart warehouse

TORONTO — Unifor says Ontario’s labour relations board has given the union the O.K. to represent workers at a Walmart warehouse in Mississauga, Ont.

The certification allows Unifor to become the bargaining agent for about 800 workers at the site west of Toronto on Maritz Drive.

The certification marks Walmart’s first warehouse to unionize in Canada.

The staff falling under Unifor now include workers who complete picking, packing and maintenance jobs but omits managers, supervisors and other team leads.

Unifor president Lana Payne previously said workers were keen to unionize because they face challenging working conditions, a lack of benefits and poor pay when compared with the massive profits their employer makes.

She expected the certification of the Walmart warehouse in Mississauga to inspire staff at the retailer’s other sites to want to organize.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 24, 2024.

Tara Deschamps, The Canadian Press