250 intermediary family resource workers at the Centre de réadaption en déficience intellectuelle in Quebec City have joined CUPE.
Of 165 ballots cast, CUPE was supported by 88 workers against 67 for the CSN. 10 ballots were rejected and 10 others were challenged by one of the parties.
CUPE representative Serge Morin was pleased with the outcome: “This is a real vote of confidence in the Regroupement des ressources résidentielles de Québec. The members of this CUPE team are committed to protecting and improving the lot of these men and women who work under difficult conditions and whose dedication is not sufficiently recognized.”
The vote is the end of a lengthy saga that began in 2001 and finally resulted in legal recognition of these workers’ rights to organize. CUPE’s immediate priority will be provincial negotiations, in collaboration with other unions in the sector, to improve compensation and achieve better working conditions for these employees.