Transition House ED speaks on employees joining UFCW

The Emergency Shelter at 310 Division Street in Cobourg. Northumberland 89.7 FM file photo.

By Dan Jones, Northumberland 89.7 FM News, Local Journalism Initiative.

Negotiations have yet to begin between Transition House leadership and staff on a collective bargaining agreement, after workers there voted last week to join the United Food and Commercial Workers Canada Local 1006A.

In his first comments since the results of the vote were announced Tuesday, Executive Director Ike Nwibe said Transition House respects the workers rights to unionize and is committed to the next steps in the process. He explained that Transition House has made efforts to improve workplace conditions for employees.

“Before now, we have done things without any agents or intermediaries between the employee and the employee. We’ve introduced a number of measures to improve at work and all that,” Nwibe said. “The employees have their own rights.”

Nwibe said he has not heard of any workplace condition concerns with employees, but adds he is welcome to a union, if this improves conditions for employees.

“If they believe being part of a union will make things better for them, by all means,” said Nwibe.

Prior to last week’s vote, Nwibe sent staff an email warning against joining a union. “The outcome of this process will affect your employment with Transition House and the relationship between you and Transition House going forward.” 

Nwibe stated a union was not required.

The union countered. “It has come to our attention that management and persons acting on behalf of management are actively pursuing an aggressive anti-union campaign, including relentless communications that can be construed as the spreading of misinformation and harassment. According to information we have received from employees, violations of sections 70, 72, 76, and 86 of the Ontario Labour Relations Act have been carried out. Unless these violations stop immediately, our union will be left with no choice but to file charges against the company at the Ontario Labour Relations Board,” stated a Feb. 20 letter from Leslie Prince, Director of Organizing UFCW Canada Local 1006A.

Transition House operates the emergency shelter at 310 Division Street in Cobourg.