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Unifor proudly recognizes Pink Shirt Day

Pink Shirt Day 2020

February 26, 2020

Unifor proudly recognizes Pink Shirt Day, an annual event on the last Wednesday in February where people across Canada unite and commit to building safe, harassment-free communities. Pink Shirt Day is an important reminder to challenge bullying and harassment year-round as we work to end harmful behaviours all around us.

Pink Shirt Day began in Berwick, Nova Scotia in 2007 when David Shepherd, Travis Price and a large group of students decided to defend their peer who was bullied for wearing a pink shirt. In a show of solidarity, they, and many students turned up to school the next day wearing pink shirts.

Unifor members are encouraged to participate in Pink Shirt Day, which happens on Wednesday, February 26 this year. Wearing a pink shirt on that day is an important statement of solidarity to those who have been harassed and bullied and a commitment to challenge bullying in our workplaces, schools, and broader communities.

By wearing a pink shirt, sharing a personal message or the Unifor poster online, and challenging bullying in your daily life, you can show you are committed to speaking out against bullying and harassment in all forms.

Workers face violence and harassment for gender identity and expression, sexual orientation and many other reasons, at work and in our communities, from people we know, from people in positions of power, and from the systems that support that power.

Ending this oppression is our shared responsibility, and is a necessary step toward building a more just and equitable world, together.

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Local 1996-O Brother -Elijah Durnford

Sisters & Brothers,

On behalf of the The Executive and Local 1996-O, sadly we regret to inform you that Elijah Durnford, Logistics Attendant in 905 Brampton passed away February 8.

We offer Elijah’s family and all his colleagues that worked with him our deepest and most sincere condolences and may the soul of Elijah rest in peace.

 

Elijah’s Celebration of Life will be held at Shox Billiards Lounge in the junction (lower level private room) 2827 Dundas Street West Toronto, ON M6P 1Y6 , from 1pm – 4:30pm on Sunday March 1st.

 

Sincerely,

 

Lee, Sanjay, Brian, Chris

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Black History Month – Viola Desmond

Black History Month in Canada

Black History Month is observed across Canada every February. Black History Month in Canada provides an opportunity to share and learn about the experiences, contributions and achievements of peoples of African ancestry (see Black Canadians). It was initiated in Canada by the Ontario Black History Society and introduced to Parliament in December 1995 by Jean Augustine, the first Black woman elected as a member of Parliament. Black History Month was officially observed across Canada for the first time in February 1996 (see also Black History in Canada).

Unifor  1996-O Recognize:

Viola Desmond

Viola Desmond (1)

In Solidarity,

Equity Committee 1996-O

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Bell Mobility: CRTC’s MVNO proposal is ‘highly aggressive,’ puts spending at risk

By The Canadian Press

Wed., Feb. 19, 2020

GATINEAU, Que. – Canadian consumers won’t get better deals on wireless data if mobile virtual network operators are introduced into an already competitive market, but such a move would slow an ongoing major upgrade to the national communication backbone, Bell Canada and Bell Mobility executives testified Wednesday.

Speaking at the second day of public hearings before the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission in Gatineau, Que., Bell Canada chief executive Mirko Bibic said any form of MVNO mandate would an “aggressive” regulatory intervention.

Bibic reminded CRTC commissioners that Canada is taking “the next big step” in building its communications backbone, which requires simultaneously installing ultra-fast fifth-generation wireless networks and more fibre optic infrastructure.

“Those are two fundamental things for the next generation of the Canadian economy,” Bibic said.

Read the full article here….

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Del Monte workers join Unifor – Oshawa

Workers at an Oshawa warehouse for Del Monte have voted overwhelmingly to join Unifor, following certification vote ordered by the Labour Board because of the company’s actions.

“This vote really shows the power of workers to stand up and resist the intimidation tactics of their employer,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.

“Here we have a company that aggressively tried to keep its workers form unionizing, and yet they stood together and collectively gained a voice in the workplace. This is a real example of workers showing true solidarity.”

The 250 workers, employed by Premier Implementation Solutions to work in the canning company’s warehouse, voted 94 per cent in favour of joining Unifor.

The Ontario Labour Relations Board ordered the February 18 vote after the employer fired two workers who were active in the organizing drive. Those workers received a Unifor-negotiated settlement from the company before the vote was held.

Unifor organizers immediately stepped up communications with the diverse workforce at the warehouse, including flyers and other materials in English, Punjabi and Tagalog, the primary languages spoken in the warehouse.

“These workers were not going to be intimidated, and showed great resolve in voting to join Unifor,” said Unifor Organizing Director Kellie Scanlan. “I am proud to welcome them to our union.”