In a historic move, workers at Walmart’s Mississauga warehouse have voted to unionize, making them the first in Canada to do so.
The workers voted to join Unifor, Canada’s largest private-sector union, following a successful campaign. Unifor national president Lana Payne hailed the victory, stating, “This is the result of uniting around a belief in workplace democracy and better working conditions. Walmart workers in Mississauga stood up for their rights, and we are excited to begin work on their first collective agreement.”
Payne emphasized that Walmart workers deserve improved job security, health and safety protections, and fair wages.
The unionization drive gained momentum over the summer, with more than 40% of workers signing union cards. The Ontario Labour Board granted the workers a vote, which took place between September 10 and 12.
Walmart has historically faced accusations of discouraging unionization efforts, particularly in the U.S. In response to the Mississauga development, Walmart issued a statement to INsauga.com: “We’ve always believed that the best person to speak for our associates is the associate. Our culture is founded on transparency, honesty, and direct dialogue with our associates, without involving individuals outside of our organization who don’t know our culture or business.”
Unifor, however, sees this as a step toward empowerment. “Unions are the most effective way to have a say in your conditions at work,” said Unifor Ontario regional director Samia Hashi. “These Walmart workers are showing warehouse workers across Canada what’s possible when we stand together.”
The campaign at the Mississauga warehouse began in December 2023, marking a significant moment for labor movements in Canada. Unifor represents 315,000 workers across the private sector and advocates for equality and social justice both in Canada and internationally.