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Unifor Statement on the National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia

tea light candles lit a row in darkness

January 25, 2024

 

It has been seven years since the tragic events of January 29, 2017, when an Islamophobic and racist act of violence took the lives of six worshippers at the Centre Culturel Islamique de Québec.

The six individuals were Ibrahima Barry, Mamadou Tanou Barry, Khaled Belkacemi, Abdelkrim Hassane, Azzedine Soufiane, and Aboubaker Thabti.

On this solemn day of remembrance, Unifor stands in solidarity with Muslim communities, including the survivors of this attack, to honor the lives lost to this horrifying violence. This day is especially important as we continue to witness an alarming rise of Islamophobia, anti-Muslim violence, and antisemitism here in Canada and across the globe during a time of increased conflict.

Canada’s Senate Committee on Human Rights reports that rampant Islamophobia in Canada is costing Canadian Muslims their wellbeing and even their lives—and these issues have a dire impact on our communities, workplaces, and our society.

On many fronts, labour unions have an important role in building a stronger sense of safety and belonging for Muslim workers. We do so through collective bargaining, demanding that employers collaborate with us to foster more safe and equitable workplaces, and by enforcing better policies to protect all people, regardless of their religion.
Unifor members endorsed Action Plan 2022-2025 that includes our commitment to combat Islamophobia.

As workers committed to social justice, equality, and the fundamental rights of all individuals, we strongly denounce Islamophobia in all its forms.

Education is our most powerful tool in the fight against hate. Unifor calls for the inclusion of anti-Islamophobia education in school curricula, workplaces, and community programs. By working together to instil understanding and tolerance, we can create a society where acts of violence cease to exist.

As we reflect on the devastating brutality of that day, we must too reflect on ways we can each take concrete action against Islamophobia.

Let us stand united against all forms of hatred. —

Green Square Campaign

You can show your support by wearing a green square on your jacket or clothing from January 25-29. You can buy a piece of green fabric or felt at your local discount or craft store and attach it to your garment with a small safety pin.

Take pictures wearing your green square or with this sign of support and email them to communications@unifor.org or post on social media using the #Unifor hashtag. Pictures should reflect the solemnity of the day of remembrance.

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Learn more about the campaign and seven other ways you can stand against Islamaphobia at the National Council of Canadian Muslim’s website.

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Unifor Statement on International Holocaust Remembrance Day

January 25, 2024

 

On this solemn occasion of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Unifor stands in solidarity to honor the memory of the victims and survivors of the Holocaust. The Holocaust a systematic genocide, orchestrated by Nazi Germany during World War II, resulted in the mass persecution and murder of approximately six million European Jews, along with millions of others targeted based on ethnicity, religion, political beliefs, sexuality, and disabilities.

We come together to reflect on the profound lessons of history and reaffirm our commitment to building a world free from hatred, discrimination, and intolerance.

The Holocaust is stark reminder of the consequences of ignorance, bigotry, and unchecked hatred. It is each of our responsibilities to use all means necessary to understand how prejudice and discrimination, when left unchallenged, can escalate into unimaginable horrors. It underscores the vital role of individuals and institutions, including labour unions, in standing up against hatred and bigotry. Unifor acknowledges the responsibility we all share in promoting inclusivity, diversity, equality and a society that values everyone.

We remember the millions of lives lost, the families torn apart, and the communities devastated by the Holocaust. 

We pay tribute to the strength and resilience of the survivors who, against all odds, rebuilt their lives and contributed immeasurably to the world. The stories of Holocaust victims and survivors serve as a testament to the indomitable human spirit and the power of unwavering solidarity in the face of hate and division.

As a union, Unifor remains committed to fostering an environment where our members and all workers can thrive without fear of discrimination or persecution. Through worker solidarity and building better workplaces that champion diversity, equity, and inclusion, we recognize that our true strength lies in our collective ability to celebrate differences and work towards a common goal.

This day is especially important as we continue to witness an alarming rise of antisemitism and Islamophobia here in Canada and across the globe during a time of increased conflict.

On this day, we also recognize the ongoing struggles against antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism, and all forms of hatred. We renew our commitment to challenging discriminatory practices wherever they arise and to promoting education and awareness as powerful tools in the fight against hate.

As a union, Unifor will continue to stand in solidarity with all those who strive for a world where the lessons of the Holocaust guide us towards a future of compassion, understanding, and respect for all.

In commemorating International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Unifor invites our members, partners, and the broader community to join us in honoring the memory of the Holocaust victims, supporting survivors, and continuing our work of building a world where the principles of humanity and justice always prevail.

Together, we remember, we learn, and we organize for a better world for all.

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Contracting out issues top of mind as bargaining opens with SaskTel

Smiling woman in blue t-shirt holding small sign reading No Contracting Out; Keep Knowledge In House. Other coworkers wearing blue shirts in background.

 

REGINA—Unifor Local 1-S and Local 2-S will make reversing the trend of contracting out unionized work a key priority as they begin bargaining this week with SaskTel.

“Piece by piece, the Sask Party government is overseeing an unprecedented privatization of SaskTel jobs,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “Voters have told the Sask Party that selling SaskTel is a non-starter, so instead the government has chosen to contract out at every opportunity. This race-to-the-bottom has to stop and make no mistake Unifor will be fighting to protect good union jobs that support the community.”

In the last year alone, Unifor has flagged three separate occasions when union work has been offered to the lowest bidder in the private sector. Unifor estimates that more than 500 unionized jobs have been lost since 2018. Some, if not all, of these jobs have gone out of province.

“Scott Moe and the Sask Party are more than happy to watch good local jobs relocate to Alberta or overseas,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director. “Privatization is a clear betrayal of Crown corporation principles of local ownership for local jobs and local benefit. We will raise this in bargaining and make sure every voter knows the Sask Party is betraying SaskTel and other cherished, home-grown Crown corporations.”

Unifor represents more than 2,500 workers at SaskTel in nearly every region of Saskatchewan.

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Unifor members at Swipe Jobs strike to improve poverty wages

A group of people holding Unifor On Strike signs and flags at a picket line with white truck in the background.

January 17, 2024

 

The 71 members of Local 222 who work for the agency Swipe Jobs – which is on contract to Del Monte Fresh in Oshawa, Ont. to supply workers – are on strike to fight for a living wage.

“Del Monte has contracted out Swipe Jobs to provide workers at their facility, all the while not taking responsibility for the subpar wages and lack of benefits, making it impossible for our members to make a decent living,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

“Swipe offered our members pitiful five-cent an hour raises while paying most minimum wage. We’re calling on Del Monte to do the right thing and ensure that workers in their facility, producing their products, are paid a living wage with benefits. These workers deserve so much better.”

The job agency denies workers sick days, health benefits and wage increases resulting in a high turnover of workers hired from within the newcomer community.

The strike began on Jan. 12 after members rejected Swipe Jobs’ latest collective agreement by 75%.

The members work in food production, labelling, and packing and shipping, among other job categories.

Their contract expired Oct. 18, 2023.

“This is a unit comprised mostly of newcomers whose first language is not English, and they are being preyed upon by a corporation that refuses to pay them a fair wage and supply them with benefits,” said Unifor Local 222 President Jeff Gray.

“Their predatory practices continue to disadvantage these people to the point where they are living in poverty. These members need our voice and power of the union to stand behind them.”