Lamenting low wages “not too far above minimum wage,” educators at Science North and Dynamic Earth are fixing to unionize.
Called “bluecoats” after their work uniforms, workers joined supporters outside of Science North on Wednesday to help promote their efforts with local media.
“All of us have all sorts of motivations that bring us out here today,” bluecoat and union organizing committee member Lilith Wall told Sudbury.com following a series of speeches.
Wages are one concern, she said, and there’s also “having a voice in the workplace and the ability to democratically decide what is going to change, what is going to happen, is I think the main driving force.”
Wages “not too far above minimum wage” and ongoing restructuring are points of concern for some staff, she said.
“We think it’s important that bluecoats have a place at the table when decisions are being made and not just after decisions have been made,” organizing committee member Milas Hewson told Sudbury.com, declining to share specifics regarding restructuring efforts.
The former bluecoat also declined to share specifics around why staff feel intimidated against forming a union.
“I don’t want to put my bluecoat friends at risk,” Hewson said, adding that they’re prohibited from sharing “internal knowledge.”
Staff members received letters and other correspondence from management, Hewson said, and staff “have communicated to us feeling scared or intimidated about risking their positions.”
There’s “a general understanding that because management is unhappy with the union and that they are not in favour of it that people's positions may be at risk if they have contracts coming up or something like that,” Hewson said, declining to substantiate how management has fostered this understanding or what, exactly, management has communicated to staff about unionization.
Sudbury.com reached out to Science North communications staff for their reaction to Wednesday’s demonstration, and they responded with a written statement on behalf of the organization.
“Science North is aware of discussions among some staff regarding potential union organizing,” the statement said.
“As an organization, we are committed to open communication, collaboration and a supportive workplace culture. We fully respect the right of our employees to explore unionization, as protected under the Ontario Labour Relations Act.
“Our priority remains ensuring that all staff have access to clear, accurate information so they can make informed decisions. We encourage employees to consider all aspects of this process thoughtfully and without pressure. At Science North, we will continue to prioritize fairness, transparency, and meaningful dialogue with our team members.”
Bluecoats are working with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) to establish a union, and a website has been set up to help Science North and Dynamic Earth workers navigate a path toward unionization.
The page includes a link to a confidential application for union membership cards, which a solid majority of members need to sign in order to unionize.
Various labour representatives attended Wednesday’s demonstration in a show of support, including Sudbury Workers Centre executive director Scott Florence.
He described an argument against their unionization, that bluecoats are a largely young staff first starting out and will work their way up to higher wages, as being “bulls***.”
“You do” deserve higher wages, he said.
“Unionized workers are better workers, they’re happier workers, they’re healthier workers, they go home safe,” he said. “It's a win-win all around.”
At more than 750,000 members, CUPE is Canada’s largest union.
The Science North 2023-24 annual report counts 273 employees in 2023-24, including 94 full-time salaried employees and 179 casual, contract and hourly employees, plus 88 volunteers. Science North is a not-for-profit organization and registered charity.
Tyler Clarke covers city hall and political affairs for Sudbury.com.