
A group of Filipino workers had been recruited into Campbellton to fill positions at the local nursing home. Their arrival sparked both curiosity and apprehension among the nursing home staff, represented by CUPE 2354.
“It was a big transition when I came to Campbellton,” says Rhea Marie Gayares, a Resident Attendant, who landed in the town without knowing a single person while needing to sort out some basic necessities before starting her new job. “I needed to go to the bank. I needed to get my SIN. So, with all my courage I just walked up to some Filipinos that I met in the hallway of my building and asked them where I needed to go.”
The employer provided workers with accommodations and oversaw their move to Canada. The arrangements highlighted the broader vulnerabilities often experienced by temporary foreign workers across the country. Housing was cramped, but affordable rental options in Campbellton were scarce. Many workers lived in a precarious financial situation, and some were even forced to seek help from food banks.

So, she made a pivotal decision: she called for help from Marie-Gabrielle Gagnon, CUPE’s human rights representative, and June Savoie, CUPE 2354’s servicing representative. Together, they strategized with local members, not just to prepare for the arrival of the new workers and their immediate needs, but to address concerns. Adams emphasized the need to focus on shared humanity and common goals, making it clear that this was an issue worth fighting for.

The union’s leadership made it clear that the Filipino workers were not competitors, but allies striving for better lives in Canada.
“We were encouraged to join union meetings,” recalls Mary Annabelle Elumba, a Personal Support Worker who moved to Campbellton along with three other workers. “They said they would help us if my colleagues and I have any problems.”

As the months passed, more Filipino workers began attending union meetings. CUPE 2354 made sure these meetings were held in neutral, comfortable locations to foster inclusivity. By April 2024, the participation of the new workers had increased significantly, and the union meetings became a space for building solidarity.
Adams and her executive would often stay behind after official proceedings to address any lingering concerns with the new workers and to promote trust and safety. Over the next months, their strategy paid off as more and more workers were engaging in union activities and recognizing the value of collective strength.

“Our members understood that these workers, like so many before them across the country, had come seeking better opportunities for themselves and their families,” Adams explains. She reflects on this journey as one of growth for the union as a whole. There is now a growing recognition of the need for increased representation on the local executive to reflect members’ diversity.

For workers like Rhea Marie Gayares and Mary Annabelle Elumba, the support they have experienced from their union has made them feel part of the team at work and New Brunswickers. Gayares has already successfully applied to a full-time position thanks to the advocacy of CUPE 2354 and for Elumba, “everyone is so nice,” she says of the people in New Brunswick, “I think I will stay and maybe pursue my nursing career in Canada.”
CUPE’s Temporary Foreign Workers in Our Union: A Solidarity and Action Guide serves as a key resource for CUPE bargaining teams and local executives, helping them support members who are temporary foreign workers. It provides insights into the unique legal and workplace issues these workers face and reinforces CUPE’s commitment to creating inclusive and supportive workplaces for everyone.