Employees at the Toronto Central Care Centre and Embalming Centre voted to join SEIU at a union certification vote held on December 12, 2010. SEIU Local 1 Canada welcomes over 40 new members into the union.
The workers are funeral directors, embalmers, drivers, dispatchers, and receptionists. They were impressed with SEIU’s servicing record and reputation in the health care sector.
“Wages and benefits in the funeral services industry are quite low,” said Ken Evett, the lead organizer for the campaign. “Most of the employees in this sector don’t even make more than $20 an hour despite their education, experience and qualifications.”
Health and safety is a big concern to the employees. The workers use many dangerous chemicals that are harmful if they are not used properly. The employees believe the ventilation system at the company’s facilities is quite poor.
SEIU Local 1 Canada is an Organizing Union that represents more than 50,000 health care and community services workers in Ontario. Its members work in hospitals, home care, nursing and retirement homes and community services.