Canada Goose workers wear Workers United t-shirts to mark first day of contract negotiations
TORONTO, November 10, 2011 – Workers United Canada, the union representing Canada Goose workers at the Toronto manufacturing facility, opened contract negotiations on Wednesday, November 9, 2011. The Union’s bargaining team met with Canada Goose representatives yesterday at their Canadian head quarters in Toronto. The Union is seeking a strong economic package for employees, job security, and good jobs for Canada Goose workers. Workers at the Toronto factory wore union t-shirts to work to show support for the union’s negotiating team and to let Canada Goose know they won’t settle for anything less than a strong contract.
Sam Tick opened the Toronto factory in 1957, and the workers formed a union shortly after in 1961. Since then, Tick’s grandson, Dani Reiss, has become CEO of the company and developed the “Canada Goose” brand, which has since become widely popular among outdoor enthusiasts, celebrities and Canadian icons such as George Stroumboulopoulos. The Canadian-made Canada Goose brand is now recognized around the world and is synonymous with warmth, style and high-quality workmanship.
“What we want is a fair contract,” said Paulina Botelho, a 43 year employee of Canada Goose and member of the union’s bargaining team. Botelho remembers when Dani Reiss’s grandfather ran the then small garment company, “Now we are working for a much bigger company and more successful company. We are proud to make good quality jackets, and we want good quality jobs too.”
Alex Dagg, Workers United Canada Director, complimented the work the bargaining team has done to keep the entire work force involved and informed about contract negotiations. “Canada Goose jackets have become extremely popular in recent years, in part because the people making the jackets are highly skilled and have the experience to manufacture top-quality apparel. The people making Canada Goose jackets deserve a good contract that includes a strong economic package and job security. Canada Goose is in the business of making warm jackets; the union is in the business of ensuring good jobs for the people that make them.”