Employees in two Ontario workplaces vote overwhelmingly to join CEP

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Nov. 30 /CNW Telbec/ - The Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada (CEP) has organized a group of Operating Engineers employed by Greenfield Ethanol in Chatham, Ontario.

Voting in the workplace took place in 2007, but a dispute with the company over the appropriateness of the bargaining unit resulted in a lengthy delay as hearings took place.

On October 27, 2009 , the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) issued a decision in favour of the union and certified CEP as the bargaining agent for these workers. Negotiations for a first collective agreement will be commencing in the next few weeks.

The second group of employees to join CEP are part-time clerical workers employed by Direct Energy in Vaughan and Markham, Ontario who won a representation vote on November 24, 2009 .

"Despite the efforts of some in the business community to create an anti-union climate in the province, our union continues to organize," says Ontario Regional Vice-President Bob Huget.

"CEP intends to carry on the important work of assisting vulnerable non-union workers to improve their working lives, while strengthening our existing members' bargaining power by strategically growing our union in key industries."

For further information: CEP Ontario Administrative Vice-President Kim Ginter: [phone] or CEP National Representative Danny McBride: [phone]