TORONTO – Information technology (IT) professionals at Toronto Hydro announced today that they have voted to join the Society of United Professionals, IFPTE Local 160. The group of more than 80 employees at Toronto’s municipally-owned local distribution company won their collective bargaining rights after a year-long fight at the Ontario Labour Relations Board caused by management’s delay tactics.
“We are excited to welcome this newest group of IT professionals to our growing union,” said Scott Travers, President of the Society of United Professionals. “We’re looking forward to strengthening our bargaining relationship with the employer and providing high-quality representation to these new members.”
Toronto Hydro IT employees were aware of the Society of United Professionals because the union already represents Toronto Hydro engineers. Concerns about restructuring, dismissal without cause, and transparent hiring practices prompted some IT employees to reach out to the union.
“Congratulations to the Toronto Hydro IT professionals for your work and dedication to the unionization process,” said Henry Quach, Local Vice President of the Society of United Professionals’ Toronto Hydro engineers bargaining unit. “I’m pleased that more professionals at Toronto Hydro are realizing the benefit of unionizing.”
This is the third group of employees that have chosen the Society of United Professionals this year, following the professionals who work for the National Judicial Institute in Ottawa and Toronto’s Chinese and Southeast Asian Legal Clinic. The Society of United Professionals continues to look for new opportunities to represent new groups of workers. Interested employees can contact Society of United Professionals organizer Michelle LeBlanc at [email protected] to discuss making their working life better.
The Society of United Professionals (formerly The Society of Energy Professionals) is a growing union of over 8,000 professionals in Ontario, including engineers, scientists, supervisors and lawyers. A democratic organization, members of the Society of United Professionals vote on everything from the union’s constitution and dues to collective agreements and policies. Membership in the Society is voluntary.
Contact: Adam Chaleff, Communications Officer, 647.500.2394
