By Susan Zachem

Photo courtesy London 517M

Newly organized London 517M members at SBR Printing show off their election certificate from the Ontario Labour Relations Board. Seated are Anne Jones, left, and Valerie Patterson. Standing, from left, are Lannie Simmons, Omar Reyes, Rob Gamracy, Dean Simmons, and Jay Mackison.

Large and small locals alike are reaping the benefits of a good organizing climate in Canada.

That was the message from London 517M Pres. John S. Holmes and Canadian Organizing Coordinator Duncan K. Brown in reporting a new shop represented by London 517M. "Once again, this supports my contention that it is a good time for organizing in Canada," Brown said.

Local 517M's new shop is SBR Printing, a family-owned silkscreening shop that has been in business in London for about 35 years, Holmes said.

SBR's 16 production employees cover a unique niche in silkscreening for the auto industry. They prep and print information that goes on fan belts and other car parts.

Holmes said the SBR organizing "happened pretty quickly."

A worker from the shop contacted him and Holmes asked him to bring others from the shop to a meeting in the local's office to explain the union-making process. The day after that first meeting, Holmes met with most of the workers in the shop and had 12 cards signed.

Holmes noted that, prior to the Ontario Tory government's labor law rollbacks, that many cards signed would have meant an automatic certification. Under Tory labor law, the local had to go to a representation vote.

The local got the vote within five days, however, and won the election with 14 SBR workers saying yes of the 16 eligible to vote. "We had good support," Holmes said. "That's what was important."

The local is in the process of negotiating a first contract, and Holmes said "it's not going too badly. Management was hesitant at first, but they seem to understand now. They want to get things rolling and get the collective agreement in place and get on with what they do."

Holmes said the local has been working on organizing with handbilling and other efforts. "It takes time and resources and manpower, but we're always looking, always putting out feelers to people.

"The climate hasn't been great, but it seems to be picking up," Holmes said. "We're doing better. It's nice to win one for a change."