Nearly 90 employees at Craig’s Cookies in Toronto have chosen to unionize as the chain expands nationwide, with workers from five different locations participating in the move. The decision to unionize with Unite HERE Local 75, which specializes in representing workers in the food service and hospitality sectors, followed a two-week organizing campaign that commenced in early December.
The employees based at Craig’s Cookies shops in East York, Church-Wellesley, Leslieville, Parkdale, and Union Station expressed concerns over the discontinuation of paid breaks, wage stagnation relative to inflation, and perceived inadequacies in compensation compared to industry standards. Daniel Janvier, a Unite HERE Local 75 researcher involved in the unionization efforts, highlighted that the workers’ contributions have been instrumental in the company’s success and growth.
In response to the workers’ decision to unionize, a spokesperson for Craig’s Cookies affirmed the company’s respect for the vote outcome and commitment to collaborating with the union in a constructive manner. The spokesperson emphasized Craig’s Cookies’ dedication to offering competitive compensation packages, comprehensive benefits, and fair treatment to its team members.
Craig’s Cookies, founded by Craig Pike as a home baking venture in 2013, transitioned to its first physical store in 2018 and has since expanded to 22 outlets across Canada. With plans to open its 23rd shop in Halifax soon, the chain’s growth and unionization efforts represent a unique development in the Canadian food services landscape.
Rafael Gomez, Director of the Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Resources at the University of Toronto, noted the attractiveness of a collective agreement for businesses like Craig’s Cookies aiming to streamline operations and address evolving workforce demands. While the franchise model remains intact post-unionization, the collective agreement simplifies labor relations but may impact potential franchisee interest.
The unionization of Craig’s Cookies employees stands out in an industry where union coverage is relatively low, as indicated by Statistics Canada data showing a declining trend in unionization rates since the 1980s, especially in the private sector. Gomez described the unionization of these workers as a noteworthy development within the context of the wider Canadian food services sector.