Unifor emphatically condemns the most recent blatant acts of racism and racially-motivated police violence in the United States of America.

But we also know racism is not just a problem in the United States. It is also the daily reality faced by Black, Indigenous and other racialized communities here in Canada as well.

Racism continues to govern the lives of Black, Indigenous and racialized peoples, and as we have seen in the case of George Floyd, racism is taking lives.

We must call the killing of George Floyd exactly what it is: anti-Black racism.

As trade unionists, we must not merely name the problem, but work every day towards equality.

We must reflect on the inherent structures of power that advantage some over others. We must understand the connections between capitalism and racism. We must use the power of love and solidarity to build the better world we know is possible. And we must listen. Listen to our friends, our sisters and brothers, who face anti-Black racism every single day.

We must recognize that our union must be one of many catalysts in society engaged in the undoing of discriminatory frameworks and systemic racism and in achieving an equitable society for all.

Today in Canada, the issue of anti-Black racism is also dominating our consciousness as citizens march seeking answers to the questions surrounding the death this week of Regis Korchinski-Paquet in Toronto.

We must also challenge in Canada the systemic racism ingrained in institutions, policies and practices.

It’s why Unifor recently demanded the collection of race-based and Indigenous data around COVID19 because we know this pandemic impacts Canadians differently and is felt disproportionately by racialized communities.

On behalf of Unifor’s more than 315,000 members, we send our condolences and solidarity to all Black communities affected by systemic racism and who have been traumatized by this week’s acts of violence and we join them in demanding accountability and justice.

As a trade union, we can’t ignore the deadly threat racism poses to our Black, Indigenous and racialized sisters and brothers and friends. We must speak up against it.

The trade union movement was built by working people determined to bring justice and equity in our workplaces and in our society. Our greatest progress has come when we have understood the importance of combating discrimination and uniting all workers.

We will not let racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, xenophobia, religious discrimination and oppression divide us because an injury to one is an injury to all. Let us not be silent.

It is not only honourable to unite in solidarity against hate, it is necessary to build a more equitable world. Being an ally matters.

Unifor asks all members, retirees and allies to challenge oppression and inequality through activism and political action, demanding redress for past wrongs.

Our union is proud to work with trade unions across the continent through the North American Solidarity Project to combat racism. Unifor will continue to fight racism at work and in our communities. We will continue to equip members with the necessary tools to combat racism safely through a robust system of education and training.  Only through education can people unlearn bias and end the cycle of racism. And only through solidarity will the better world we all seek be built.

In solidarity,

 

Local 1996-O Equity Committee and Executive recognizes LGBTQ Pride month and honours the LGBTQ Community’s progress while acknowledging the work that must still be done.

The rise of LGBTQ rights can be mainly attributed to the Stonewall Riots of 1969 that took place in New York and the “Operation Soap” bathhouse raids in which police raided LGBTQ friendly establishments within Toronto in the early 1980s.

Both of these events caused the LGBTQ community to fight back against police discrimination and served as a pivotal moment for the community. They are credited for the activism that would lead to the decriminalization of homosexuality and its declassification as a mental illness as well as giving rise to a movement that would allow the community to finally have a voice across North America to fight against injustice.

Pride Month which starts in June is meant to celebrate the LGBTQ community, which includes individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, and transgender as well as a wide array of other gender identities.

Local 1996-O stands with you.

 

In Solidarity

1996-O Equity Committee

1996-O Executive

37th annual Injured Workers Day (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sisters and Brothers,

This is our 37^th year in Ontario commemorating the proclamation of Injured Workers Day. The naming of a day for injured workers did not come from thin air.  It came as a result of decades of struggle by injured workers for justice.

The demand for justice and dignity continues in 2020…

Workers need protection on the job.  When workers are injured or sick the Workers Compensation and Insurance Board (WSIB) must cover them without aggravation or delay. WSIB must stop pretending injured workers have jobs that they do not in fact have (deeming) and cutting their benefits.

 

We believe more needs to be done during this Pandemic to protect essential workers fighting COVID-19 on the front lines. All workers in industries deemed essential by Ontario must be able to make a claim to WSIB without having to prove they contracted the disease at work.

Our essential workers need to know that the Ford government has their back – if they get sick or need to be quarantined, WSIB will fully support them.

 

We rally on this day, June 1^st, to celebrate the gains made through united action, raise current concerns – and remind governments that injured workers cannot be ignored.

 

Because of COVID-19, for the first time since 1983, injured workers and allies will gather ONLINE to celebrate our collective strength and push for a better future.  Let us not go back to how things were, but stand together to look towards a better future instead.

 

Join the Ontario Network of Injured Workers Groups and allies for an online rally.

 

 

Monday, June 1^st – 11:00 am to 12:30 pm ET – 37^th Annual Injured Workers’ Day

 

 

Join the Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/2784188051813262/

 

Stream live on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-7FTcNMjFU

 

Register to participate and watch in your browser at: https://www.crowdcast.io/e/june1st

 

 

In solidarity,

 

Unifor Health, Safety and Environment Department

 

 

May 26, 2020

TORONTO – The troubling reports from Canadian Armed Forces serving in long-term care homes in Ontario reinforces the systemic crisis in the provinces long-term care system.

“The report is shocking but sadly not surprising. The crisis in long-term care existed well before the pandemic and now we are feeling the impact of years of neglect,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “The living and working conditions in long-term care homes are not the fault of workers, but of governments and operators that for years ignored cries for help by workers, residents and their unions. When operators are focused on profit margins and governments lack the will to improve working and resident conditions the outcome is bound to be horrible.”

More than 1,675 troops have been deployed to five Ontario long-term care homes, but many others in crisis have not received the same attention.

“The lack of oversight and investment into long term care by the Ontario governments has failed all Ontarians,” said Naureen Rizvi, Ontario Regional Director. “Providing quality care starts with adequate staffing levels. Unfortunately, due to years of neglect and privatization of long-term care, workers are either leaving the sector entirely or burning out because working short staffed has become the norm. It’s time for governments and operators to stop the lip service and start treating workers and residents with the respect and dignity that they deserve.”

The union believes that the expansion of for-profit operators, lack of full-time jobs, fair wages and benefits for Personal Support Workers (PSW), who provide upwards of 80 per cent of hands-on resident care has created the crisis we are in today. Wage increases, generally set through a system of arbitration, have been below inflation for the last decade. Four out of five long-term care homes say they struggle to fill shifts, while nearly half of health care workers report working short-staffed every day.

“If there is one thing we can probably all agree on is that we must fix long term care immediately. We need full time work, decent benefits, including sick leave so these critical workers don’t have to come to work when they are sick. These workers were heroes before the pandemic and will continue after the pandemic,” said Dias.

Information about the union’s response to the pandemic, as well as resources for members can be found at unifor.org/COVID19.

Unifor salutes the exceptional courage and compassion of all paramedics on Paramedic Services Week, recognized from May 24 to May 30, 2020.

“Paramedics, as emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, bring tremendous dedication, skill, care and compassion to their jobs as first responders,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “The pandemic has shown us the courage of first responders who often perform their work in dangerous conditions, making them true heroes in our public health care system. I am very proud to stand with the EMS workers represented by our union.”

While Unifor celebrates the vital work of EMS members, the union must also sound an alarm. Last year in Ontario, the Ford government launched a direct assault on public services including EMS.

“These cuts made no sense then nor now. Doug Ford has quickly changed his tune now by thanking paramedics for their hard work, but has yet to introduce or amend legislation to better improve the working conditions of paramedics,” said Dias.

Currently, there are dangerously slow response times in rural areas due to long travel distances and cuts to funding. Urban areas also face and inadequate numbers of ambulances available due to crisis-level hospital overcrowding and paramedics continue to be stuck in long offload delays.

Unifor stands in unity and respect during Paramedic Services Week with all paramedics and remains committed to ensuring fair and equitable terms and conditions of employment in recognition of not only their care and compassion, but also the tremendous courage and dedication, skill and commitment in their service to the health of Canadians.

Download and share the Paramedic Services Week 2020 shareables and join us in thanking all Paramedics for their compassion, humanity and life-saving work in our communities.

Click here to download shareable 1

Click here to download shareable 2