A joint KFC/Taco Bell restaurant in Transcona is the first in the province to be unionized.

More than 65% of staff at the restaurant, located at 1651 Regent Ave. West, signed union cards, making certification from the Manitoba Labour Board automatic. The 28 workers, which consist of shift managers, food service, and customer service staff, will be represented by Workers United Canada Council.

“We are very excited and pleased to welcome these workers into our union,” said Barry Fowlie, the Canadian director of Workers United, in a press release. “This demonstrates just how important card-check certification is to ensure workers have a collective voice at work in order to improve their working conditions.”

Issues raised by employees include health and safety concerns, low wages, no overtime pay, unequal distribution of benefits, and lack of hours.