February 17, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hope, British Columbia –– The Construction, Maintenance and Allied Workers Union (CMAW) is proud to announce that workers at the Primo Brands (BlueTriton Brands) bottling facility in Hope, British Columbia have chosen CMAW as their union, with an overwhelming majority of cards signed. The British Columbia Labour Relations Board granted automatic certification on Thursday, February 12, officially recognizing CMAW as the bargaining representative for the plant’s workforce.
The Hope facility, operating for more than 20 years as a non-union workplace, is one of the largest employers in the region. The plant employs approximately 55 year-round staff, with additional workers brought on during peak demand periods. Primo Brands (BlueTriton Brands) produces private-label beverages for major retailers including Costco, Walmart, Save On Foods, and Esso-branded gas stations, distributing throughout Western Canada and into the Western United States.
Workers identified several key issues that motivated the organizing drive, including concerns around scheduling, the absence of a formal grievance procedure, and other working conditions. CMAW launched a coordinated organizing campaign to support the workers’ efforts.
“This was a true team effort,” said CMAW Secretary-Treasurer Jessie Gregory, who was directly involved on the ground during the drive. “By joining a union, workers at Primo Brands are looking forward to a more secure future for themselves and their families.”
CMAW Director of Expansion and Growth Paul Nedelec partnered with the organizing team early on to develop and execute the successful strategy. “Once Chris connected with us, CMAW mobilized quickly, and our team worked around the clock to make this happen on short notice,” said Nedelec.
CMAW is an affiliate of the Confederation of Canadian Unions (CCU), and its Executive Director, Jan Noster, also a proud resident of Hope, assisted during the organizing campaign. “The workers at Primo are excited to join a democratic, independent union like CMAW, where workers’ rights are a top priority, and the members always come first,” said Noster.
This certification follows previous unsuccessful attempts by other unions over the past two decades, most recently a 2018 organizing drive by the United Steelworkers. The workers’ decision marks a historic shift for the facility.
With certification secured, the next steps include:
• Workers democratically electing their bargaining committee
• CMAW canvassing employees regarding priorities for a first collective agreement
• Beginning constructive dialogue with Primo Brands (BlueTriton Brands) to establish a positive, productive working relationship
While the company opposed unionization, CMAW is committed to moving forward collaboratively.
“Our goal now is to build a fair and respectful relationship with Primo Brands—one that benefits the workers, strengthens the facility, and supports everyone’s long-term success in Hope,” said Gregory.
Media Contacts
Chris Wasilenchuk
President – Construction, Maintenance & Allied Workers Canada (CMAW)
778-829-9744
cwasilenchuk@cmaw.ca
Jessie Gregory
Secretary Treasurer – Construction, Maintenance & Allied Workers Canada (CMAW)
604-404-0627
jgregory@cmaw.ca
Paul Nedelec
Director of Expansion and Growth – Construction, Maintenance & Allied Workers Canada (CMAW)
604-655-3905
pnedelec@cmaw.ca
Shawn Cambpell
President, Confederation of Canadian Unions (CCU)
president@ccu-csc.ca
905-449-5878
Jan Noster
Executive Director, Confederation of Canadian Unions (CCU)
executive.director@ccu-csc.ca
604-785-4904
