CUPE Local One Members at Toronto Hydro and Cogeco Peer 1 Communications Vote to Merge with the Power Workers' Union

TORONTO, Sept. 16, 2016 /CNW/ - On Thursday, September 15^th CUPE Local One Members at Toronto Hydro and Cogeco Peer 1 Communications voted by a margin of 92 percent to merge into the Power Workers' Union (PWU). The PWU is expected to finalize its approval of the merger at their annual convention in the last week of September. Both CUPE Local One and the PWU have long and proud histories in the representation of electricity sector workers in Ontario dating back to the early days of electrification.

"This is a great move for our members," said John Camilleri, President of CUPE Local One. "Our industry is consolidating and our electricity sector worker representation structures need to evolve to provide the best possible service to our members. We have much in common with PWU members across Ontario and we will work hard to make the PWU, which is already by far the largest and most powerful union in the electricity sector, even stronger."

"This merger will provide a stronger voice for all electricity sector workers in this province and beyond," added Don MacKinnon, President of the Power Workers' Union. "We know that decisions like the one made by CUPE Local One members and their leadership can be incredibly difficult but they have spoken in overwhelming solidarity. We admire the resolve they have demonstrated so clearly and look forward to working together to build a safer, more secure future for all of Ontario's electricity workers."

CUPE Local One represents approximately 900 employees at Toronto Hydro and 85 employees at Cogeco Peer 1 Communications.

The Power Workers' Union (PWU) represents the large majority (over 15,000) of the men and women who work throughout Ontario's electricity production and delivery sector.

SOURCE Power Workers' Union

Image with caption: "Power Workers' Union (CNW Group/Power Workers& Union) (CNW Group/Power Workers' Union)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160916_C1734_PHOTO_EN_775200.jpg

John Sprackett, 416-322-4787, [email protected]