KITCHENER, ON – Front-line hospital workers marched to the office of St. Mary’s General Hospital president Mark Fam on Monday afternoon and delivered a petition calling on management to take a stand against the provincial government’s plan to privatize hospital services.

The action was part of a demonstration of about 100 healthcare workers organized by a coalition of five health-care unions outside the hospital, in response to Bill 60, the recently passed legislation that diverts money from public hospitals to private, for-profit clinics to perform surgeries and other procedures.

The petition was signed by more than 700 workers including nurses, personal support workers, housekeepers, lab technologists, clerical and other staff. The signatories comprise a majority of the unionized workforce at the hospital in Kitchener, represented by the Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA), Unifor and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/SEFPO).

Instead of going along with the Ford government’s privatization agenda, St. Mary’s workers are demanding management join their call for investments in higher staffing levels, and a meaningful recruitment and retention strategy, to improve patient care and help clear the surgical backlog that Ford is using as an excuse for privatization.

Since the provincial government’s push to privatize hospital services and bring in investor-led clinics was made public, members of ONA, Service Employees International Union (SEIU Healthcare), CUPE’s Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU/CUPE), Unifor and OPSEU/SEFPO have all launched campaigns at community hospitals. This is the third in a series of such rallies being organized across the province.

Hospital staff say this Ontario PC plan would devastate the services in most of Ontario’s public hospitals, including Kitchener’s, and threaten public healthcare.

Quotes

“The Ford government is sitting on a $22 billion dollar surplus, instead of investing in our critically understaffed public hospitals and paying workers fair wages. Ontario’s healthcare crisis has been manufactured to divert public funds into private, for-profit clinics – and shareholders’ pockets. But healthcare workers at St. Mary’s General, and across Ontario, are organizing and standing up together to say: ‘our patients’ lives are not for profit!’ Because when we organize, when we fight together, we win!” – JP Hornick, President of OPSEU/SEFPO

“As a registered nurse with many years’ experience working in the emergency department of this hospital, I know only too well the impact that any further erosion in our public, non-profit hospital system will have on patients. ONA wholeheartedly rejects Doug Ford’s plan for corporations to profit from the health needs of our patients. To improve care and shorten wait times, we need to see St. Mary’s General Hospital invest in a staff retention and recruitment plan.” – Erin Ariss, RN, President of Ontario Nurses’ Association.

“Ontarians from every corner of this province stand united in the fight against Doug Ford’s health care privatization agenda, not just for health-care workers, but for the very soul of our health-care system. Our message is clear – Ontario public healthcare is not for sale.” – Naureen Rizvi, Unifor Ontario Regional Director.

“The profits of Doug Ford’s rich donors are not worth risking health care for all. Wait times will get longer because investor-led clinics will draw frontline staff away from public hospitals. Staffing shortages will get worse by handing healthcare delivery over to the kind of big care-cutting corporations that destroyed long-term care for seniors. And services will get cut for patients that can’t afford to pay extra fees. Taken together, Ford’s privatization plan is a disaster for healthcare in Ontario.” – Tyler Downey, Secretary-Treasurer, SEIU Healthcare.

“Hospital workers across Ontario are sending a strong message to their management and the government – we will not accept the privatization of hospital services. We will continue fighting to improve our public healthcare system, in solidarity with each other and our communities. Public funds should be used for our public system – not to enrich private corporations and their shareholders.” – Sharon Richer, Secretary-Treasurer, CUPE’s Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU/CUPE).

For more information, please contact:

Zaid Noorsumar, CUPE Communications, znoorsumar@cupe.ca  647-995-9859
Sheree Bond, ONA Communications, shereeb@ona.org
Kim Johnston, OPSEU/SEFPO Communications, opseucommunications@opseu.org, 416-550-4665
Hamid Osman, Unifor Communications, hamid.osman@unifor.org  647-448-2823
Corey Johnson, SEIU Healthcare Communications, c.johnson@seiuhealthcare.ca   416-529-8909

TORONTO – Unifor served the Detroit Three (D3) automakers, Ford, General Motors and Stellantis notice to bargain today on behalf of 18,000 members whose collective agreements are set to expire in September 2023.

“Unifor will open negotiations with the D3 at a critical time for the auto sector in Canada both in terms of the historic transition to electric vehicle manufacturing and the current economic challenges confronting workers,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “Auto workers are in a position of strength heading in to this year’s Auto Talks. We’re ready to build on the gains we’ve made in the past, capitalize on the momentum of recent investments in the auto sector while taking the challenges faced by auto workers head-on.”

The union will open bargaining with D3 automakers August 10, 2023, in Toronto.

“We’ve been hard at work and prepared diligently for negotiations by surveying our membership, determining our priorities and setting our overall bargaining strategy,” said John D’Agnolo, Unifor Auto Council Chair and Ford Master Bargaining Chair. “At the heart of these preparations is a democratic process of direct consultations with union members who submit hundreds of proposals.”

Following consultations with Unifor members, the union adopted the following key priorities at its pre-bargaining Auto Council.

•    Pensions
•    Wage package
•    Transition issues related to the shift to electric vehicle manufacturing (e.g. retooling period)
•    Confirmation of investment and product commitments, including specific product allocations and timelines.

The union’s plans for D3 negotiations centre on members’ needs and securing their role in the EV transition. The theme echoes the union’s auto policy, ‘Navigating the Road Ahead,’ containing 29 key policy recommendations for governments and automakers.

“It’s vital that we not only secure clear product commitments for our auto plants but also all of the income security measures needed to protect union members throughout the EV transition and the retooling process,” said James Stewart, Stellantis Master Bargaining Chair.

The union will also seek to address concerns with future transition plans for internal combustion engine (ICE) powertrain facilities. “Unifor members are the ones who made the EV transition possible by building highly profitable ICE vehicles. Our goal is to ensure union members are rewarded with a secure future and a clear transition plan that includes them,” said Jason Gale, GM Master Bargaining Chair.

“When Unifor goes to the table with the D3, we will have our most valuable asset at our back: 18,000 highly skilled and dedicated workers,” said Payne. “Canada’s autoworkers are ready and determined to reach a fair and inclusive contract that clearly defines their long-term future,” said Payne.

For more information visit autotalks.ca.

WINDSOR—Unifor is extremely disappointed that Windsor Salt has resorted to bargaining in the public. Such tactics are counterproductive and doomed to fail.

“Windsor Salt has yet again made it more difficult to reach an agreement to end the 132-day strike with these kinds of actions,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President.

“Our members have been on strike for 18 weeks. They deserve a fair collective agreement—not disrespect.

“The company clearly knows there are unresolved issues at table. They should work with us to resolve those issues instead of engaging in these tactics.

“Members of Local 1959 and 240 went on strike to protect good jobs and seek fair compensation and benefits. They’ve shown incredible solidarity and determination for months,” said Payne.

Unifor Scholarships

Unifor recognizes that the cost associated with post-secondary education is a challenge for many working families.  To assist in making education more accessible, we have established 28 scholarships of $2,000.00 each. Five of these scholarships are administered by the Quebec Council with a separate application form (see www.uniforquebec.org).  Residents of Quebec must apply using that application process.

The scholarships are awarded to children of Unifor members in good standing.  Students must be entering their first year of full-time post-secondary education (university, community college, technological institute, trade school, etc.) in a public Canadian institution.  One of these scholarships will also be available to a Unifor member with at least one year seniority.  These are entrance scholarships only and are not renewable for students entering subsequent years of study. A more detailed description of eligibility criteria and the  application process can be downloaded below.

A selection committee composed of Unifor National Staff and Local Union Discussion Leaders evaluates scholarship applications. The selection committee reviews hundreds of applications annually and considers many factors when evaluating applications including academic achievement, responses to essay questions, and a demonstrated commitment to social justice through extracurricular activities and volunteerism. In addition, the selection committee ensures that scholarship awards are distributed to best reflect the regional, sectoral, and membership diversity of Unifor.

2023 Scholarship Application Important Dates

April 6: Online scholarship application period opens

JUNE 30 (Revised): Application period closes

AUGUST 11 (Revised): Scholarship recipients announced

Using the Online Application

Your application must be submitted using the online application form NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 2023.

Click on the appropriate link below to complete your online application.  Please ensure that you have READ THE INSTRUCTIONS carefully, and have the following documents ready on your device for upload with your application.

1.            Current high school transcript (children of Unifor members only)
2.            Reference letter
3.            Local Union Officer signature form
4.            Essay Answers

PLEASE NOTE:  Any applications missing any of the required documents, will result in an error message and cannot be submitted.  Please ensure you have all documents available before submitting.

Apply as the Child of a Unifor Member Apply Now

Apply as a Unifor Member Apply Now

Local Union Officer Signature Form

Details about eligibility and the full application procedure are contained in the following document:

Scholarship Application Package

Questions?

Email scholarships@unifor.org

MONCTON-Unifor is donating $50,000 to the Red Cross Nova Scotia and Atlantic Fires Relief fund to assist members, their families, friends and neighbours affected by the wildfires across the region.

“Unifor members in the Atlantic and across the country share our deep compassion and condolences for those who have lost their homes, and all those who have been displaced and suffered uncertainty due to the recent wildfires,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “Our union is deeply rooted in the affected communities and stands with our neighbours and friends as their homes, businesses and communities are repaired and rebuilt.”

More than 230 Unifor members, staff and leadership gathered in Moncton, New Brunswick on June 2 and 3, 2023 for the annual Atlantic Regional Council, the union’s democratic gathering for members in the four Atlantic provinces.

“The wildfires directly impacted Unifor members who were evacuated from their homes and workplaces at IMP Aerospace and Farmers Dairy, and Unifor members at Northwood Halifax who received residents from their sister site in Bedford,” said Jennifer Murray, Atlantic Regional Director. “Wildfires across the region have been volatile and severe and the union sends its solidarity and thanks to all first responders, community volunteers and all those who have offered help.”

The Unifor Atlantic Regional Council contributed $25,000, which was matched by the national union.

“We are family here in the Atlantic – everyone knows someone who has been affected by these fires,” said Murray.

Unifor is encouraging its local unions across Canada to contribute to the Red Cross relief fund, in solidarity with and in support of all those affected by Atlantic wildfires.