FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 21, 1998

The Alberta Federation of Labour is celebrating news that the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) successfully unionized workers at a McDonald’s outlet in B.C. AFL President Audrey Cormack predicted today that more service sector workers will be turning to unions in the years to come.

"This is an important victory for working people," said Cormack. "It shows that young workers see the need for protection at work and that they are willing to stand up for their rights, even against one of the world’s largest corporations."

"I am confident in the next few years we will see increasing numbers of young workers turning to unions to help them achieve respect and dignity in their workplaces," she added.

Cormack attributes the growth in union activity in the fast food and other service industries to the changing nature of the economy and to the poor working conditions in many workplaces in the sector. "What once were temporary, part-time jobs to earn pocket money are increasingly becoming jobs people need just to pay the bills."

The Squamish McDonald’s is the first in North America to be successfully unionized. The union was certified on Wednesday, after a mediated agreement between the union and the company.

"This is just part of a growing trend," observed Cormack. "Unions are putting more resources into organizing so-called ‘non-traditional’ sectors, and more and more workers are turning to unions asking for help."

Cormack noted that efforts by the Teamsters are ongoing in Quebec to organize McDonald’s in that province. Also workers at a Roger’s Video in Abbortsford were recently awarded their first collective agreement. Currently CAW represents workers at 11 Starbuck’s outlets and 40 Kentucky Fried Chicken stores in B.C.

"In the service sector, requests for union representation are not about money, but about being treated with respect and with dignity. It is about saying that just because you earn minimum wage, it doesn’t mean the employer can treat you poorly."

Cormack predicted that the wave of unionizing young workers will hit Alberta soon. "Alberta, with our draconian labour laws, is a bit behind other parts of the country. But I am confident that soon Alberta too will see more unionized service sector workers."