The SCMMA board recommends an affiliation with the Society of United Professionals for several reasons. The first is that membership continues to grow and has reached a point where the resources needed are more than volunteers can manage or have the expertise for. This was considered as far back as 2011, when the membership was half the size, for the same reason.

Additionally, a Judge’s ruling in a recent arbitration for a member who was terminated “without cause” was in favour of SCMMA’s position. This ruling is monumental for SCMMA and will restrict the employer from terminating members without giving a reason and following fair mitigation. 

SCMMA needs on-the-ground help and a larger, more powerful ally to represent members going forward.

Additional benefits of this affiliation are the low dues structure compared to other unions and the cost of hiring staff, an arrangement to delay any increase until a renewed collective agreement contract is ratified, and the benefit of eliminating our Blue Cross debt repayment loan.

The affiliation proposal comes at a time when SCMMA is at a crossroads and change is needed. Along with IFPTE, the Society has already significantly helped SCMMA approach bargaining in a strong position, and SCMMA’s leadership is confident this is the right time and partner to move forward with.