What are the steps?

Clerical hospital workers at Trillium Health Partners are organizing a union to build the power to win fair wages and other compensation increases, job security, just cause protection, improved health and safety, fair job posting and hiring processes, and a stronger voice at work to speak up about workload and staffing concerns. Here’s how you can join:

  1. Sign a card to apply for membership in the union. Your card is confidential. Your employer does not see who signed cards.
  2. Talk to your coworkers about forming a union. A union is you and your coworkers coming together to negotiate improvements. Ask your coworkers what they wish they could change about their jobs and share why forming a union is important to you.
  3. When a majority of hospital workers at Trillium Health Partners sign cards the union will submit an application to the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB). The OLRB will arrange a vote within one week to confirm if workers want a union.
  4. The OLRB will hold a secret ballot vote of all workers in the bargaining unit. If the majority of workers who vote say YES, the union is certified.

CUPE will serve notice to your employer to negotiate your first contract. You will elect a bargaining committee of your co-workers who will be trained. In CUPE, the workers are the union, and workers lead the union.