Starbucks employees at Calgary's Chinook Centre apply for certification with United Steelworkers
Employees at a Starbucks in Calgary have applied for certification with the United Steelworkers — which is the first step toward unionizing.
The Alberta Labour Board will now hold a hearing Jan. 28 so the employer can present any objections, then the 17 employees at a Starbucks in Chinook Centre will be able to vote whether they want to join.
It needs a simple majority to pass, said United Steelworkers spokesperson Brett Barden, meaning at least nine of the 17 must be in favour.
"The workers are just tired of being treated poorly and like second-class citizens in their workplace," said Barden.
"Also, throughout this pandemic there has been a lot of health and safety issues they've been experiencing."
The vote could also be done by mail, said Barden, due to the pandemic, which could take a number days to complete.
Chinook Centre is the second Starbucks store to apply for certification in Canada. Employees at a Starbucks in Victoria, B.C. voted to join the United Steelworkers in 2020.
If successful, the Calgary Starbucks employees will also join the union’s District 3, which represents workers in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon Territory, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Wind chills of -50, snowfall of up to 50 cm: Canada's weather forecast
As the second day of December unfolds, Canadians from coast to coast are experiencing a range of wintry conditions. Here's what's happening in different parts of the country.
BREAKING Canada lists Ansarallah, known as the Houthis, a terrorist entity
The Canadian government has listed Ansarallah, commonly known as the Houthis, as a terrorist entity.
Kingston, Ont. doctor ordered to repay $660K for pandemic vaccination payments
An Ontario health tribunal has ordered a Kingston, Ont. doctor to repay over $600,000 to the Ontario government for improperly billing thousands of COVID-19 vaccinations at the height of the pandemic.
'Ally to the North': Ontario launches U.S. ad campaign amid Trump's tariff threat
Ontario is launching a U.S. ad campaign, touting the province as an 'ally to the North' ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s second term and under the threat of tariffs on all Canadian goods.
Multiple elements contributed to fatal Chinook helicopter crash in Ottawa River, investigation concludes
The investigation into a Chinook helicopter crash near Petawawa, Ont. that killed two military pilots concludes an 'unperceived acceleration' and environmental conditions were "significant contributors" to the crash in the Ottawa River.
Kremlin says Trump threat to BRICS nations over U.S. dollar will backfire
The Kremlin said on Monday that any U.S. attempt to compel countries to use the dollar would backfire after U.S. president-elect Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on BRICS countries if they created their own currency.
Crews work to reopen highway north of Toronto after major snowstorm hits cottage country
Crews are still working to reopen Highway 11 north of Toronto after parts of Ontario’s cottage country were hit with upwards of 140 centimetres of snowfall over the weekend.
Elton John says he has lost his eyesight and struggles to see his new stage musical
Elton John says he struggled to watch his new musical because he has lost his eyesight after contracting an infection.
U.S. Postal Service suspends accepting mail bound for Canada due to strike
The U.S. Postal Service has temporarily suspended accepting mail headed to Canada due to the strike by Canada Post workers.