A Union for Dairy Workers, Bakery Workers & Food Processing Employees in Alberta
Protect Yourself: Do Not Read This At Work!
Dairy workers, bakery employees, and food processing staff keep Alberta fed. You work long shifts in cold plants, hot kitchens, and demanding production environments — often with rotating schedules, physical strain, and little say over how your workplace is run. Teamsters 987 is the union that fights for food industry workers across Alberta, helping you secure stronger wages, safer conditions, and the respect you’ve earned.
Whether you work on a production line, in a dairy plant, at a commercial bakery, or in a food processing facility, you deserve a voice. Teamsters 987 is here to help you secure it.
Dairy Plants | Milk & Cheese Processing | Commercial Bakeries | Confectionery | Food Manufacturing | Packaging & Distribution
How Starting a Food Industry Union Can Help
When you unionize, your work (and your life) gets better. Higher wages, safer workloads, stronger benefits, and predictable time off become rights you can count on — not privileges you hope for. Discover more about how Teamsters can help on our labour union benefits page.
- Higher Wages & Better Benefits
- Safe Working Conditions
- Reasonable Scheduling & Leave
- Protection Against Outsourcing & Automation
- Job Security & Seniority Rights
- Protection Against Unfair Discipline
- A Voice in How Your Workplace is Run
Teamsters: A Proven Partner for Dairy & Food Processing Workers
The Teamsters Union represents thousands of food industry workers across North America, including more than 5,000 dairy union members represented through the Teamsters network. Teamsters Local 987 has been creating fair workplaces in Alberta since 1942. If you work in dairy, bakery, or food processing, reach out and discover why Teamsters 987 is the right union for you.
A Union for Your Entire Team
The job of producing and moving Alberta’s food supply falls on many shoulders. Teamsters 987 represents all non-management workers in your facility, including full-time and part-time employees.
Dairy Workers Union
Pasteurizers | Cheese Cooks | Gallon Filler Operators | Yogurt Processors | Refrigeration Technicians | Quality Control Inspectors | Sanitation Workers | Forklift Operators | Drivers
Bakery Workers Union
Production Line Workers | Mixers & Bakers | Packaging Staff | Machine Operators | Confectionery Workers | Shipping & Receiving | Maintenance Technicians
Food Processing Workers
Plant Workers | Packers & Labellers | Material Handlers | Warehouse & Distribution Staff | General Production Workers
Starting a Union is Easier Than You Think
The biggest step is realizing that you deserve to be treated with dignity, respect, and fairness. Once you find a determined leader who is committed to the cause, the process is quite straightforward — and Teamsters 987 is there to support you every step of the way. To discover the 8 Simple Steps, visit: How To Start A Union.
Be Discrete. Be Aware. Be Wise.
Efforts to start a union will be resisted by management. An employer may attempt to threaten or discourage you, but you are legally protected against intimidation or dismissal. Your Teamsters 987 organizer can provide valuable advice to help you build support among your coworkers while minimizing any risk.
I became a unionized employee in April 2014, and this is the first union job I’ve ever held. Previous to my employment, I used to think unions were an unnecessary relic of the past, but boy was I wrong! Teamsters 987 is at your side whenever you need them to be if a supervisor or the company violates our bargaining agreement, or abuses their authority. I became a shop steward in 2018 to help Teamsters 987 protect our members in our workplace, and give back in kind as our union has stepped up for me.
RYAN, FOOD PROCESSING, BAKERY AND DAIRY UNION MEMBER
FAQs
Yes. Teamsters 987 represents workers in Calgary, Edmonton, and throughout Alberta. No matter where your facility is located, our organizers are available to help.
There are no costs during the organizing process or while negotiating your first collective agreement. Dues only begin once you and your coworkers vote to accept a contract. To calculate dues: multiply your hourly wage by 2.5 and add $2. For example, at $22/hour: $22 × 2.5 = $55 + $2 = $57/month.
How long does it take to unionize a food processing workplace?
The timeline varies depending on the size of your workplace and your employer's response, but many union drives move from initial organizing to certification within a few weeks to a few months. Teamsters 987 guides workers through every step to keep the process on track.
No. You are legally protected against dismissal, demotion, or intimidation for union organizing activity under the Alberta Labour Relations Code. If your employer retaliates, Teamsters 987 can take action on your behalf.
Yes, completely. Your employer cannot find out who did or did not sign a union petition. When an application for certification is submitted, the Alberta Labour Relations Board requests an employee list directly from the employer — so the Board, not your employer, verifies the results. Whether the petition passes or fails, your employer will not have access to that information.
Yes. Rotating shifts, overnight work, and last-minute schedule changes are common complaints in the food processing industry. A union contract can include language around minimum rest periods between shifts, fair overtime distribution, advance notice of schedule changes, and protections against excessive mandatory overtime.
Absolutely. Food processing and dairy environments carry real physical risks — cold temperatures, wet floors, repetitive strain, heavy lifting, and exposure to industrial equipment. A union contract can establish enforceable safety standards, require proper PPE, and give workers a formal process to raise safety concerns without fear of retaliation.
Teamsters 987 represents all non-management workers in your facility, regardless of role. This includes production line workers, machine operators, forklift drivers, pasteurizers, cheese cooks, packaging staff, sanitation workers, maintenance technicians, drivers, and more. If you work in the facility, you can be represented.
A union gives you collective bargaining power — the ability to negotiate as a group rather than one employee on your own. Through collective bargaining, Teamsters 987 can negotiate for better wages, improved benefits, fairer scheduling, proper health and safety protections, and a formal grievance process to protect you from unfair treatment.
Yes. Workers in dairy plants, commercial bakeries, confectionery facilities, and food processing operations in Alberta have the right to unionize under the Alberta Labour Relations Code. Teamsters 987 has represented food industry workers in Alberta since 1942.
LEARN HOW STARTING A
UNION CAN TRANSFORM
YOUR WORKPLACE
Reach out to a Teamsters 987 Organizer.
It’s 100% confidential.
Comments are closed.