“Our heroes in health care are burnt out and struggling to keep up in long-term care homes,” said Katha Fortier, Assistant to Unifor’s National President. “PSWs and other workers who have worked through what can only be described as a humanitarian crisis are leaving the industry in droves. Fortier continues” Poor compensation, lack of full time work and COVID-19 have just made a bad situation worse.”

Over 20 long-term care rallies are set to make some noise on May 13 across Ontario, sending the message loud and clear to the provincial government to respect our health care members, repeal Bill124 stop putting profit over people and follow the advice of their own long term care commission by immediately implementing a measureable and enforceable 4 hour minimum care standard per resident per day.

“Long term care workers across Ontario are fed up with politicians saying the right things, but not acting on them,” said Unifor Local 229 President Kari Jefford. “Ontario has had a broken long-term care system way before the pandemic. Workers in long-term care need politicians to put their money and actions where their mouths are and respect, protect and pay us.”

Unifor is Canada’s largest union in the private sector, representing 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.

Unifor marks the 2022 International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOTB) with solidarity for people of all sexual and gender diversities.

Unifor remains resolved to continue the fight against homophobia and transphobia through social change and the fight for human rights for all.

The union celebrates this IDAHOTB as a year of mixed progress. Since May of 2021, the federal government announced a pathway to the end of the identity-based screening of Canadian Blood Services’ blood ban, and passed a federal law banning the dangerous practice of conversion therapy. These are important, and long-fought victories for activists and community members.

Conversation therapy is a dangerous, unfounded practice that often involves minors’ abuse and leads to lifetime trauma. The basic assumption that a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity or expression is something to be altered or corrected, threatens LGBTQ workers’ dignity and well being. This runs against the union’s position on supporting the rights of all workers.

The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia and Pride itself, are beginning to once again change in 2022.

Many local unions will once again participate in events that join community members together this summer. Workers’ participation in pride may also feel like more of a protest this year.

While legal protections remain and are expanded in Canada, other rights are being eroded in the United States and here at home. The social fight for justice for all queer and trans people needs to be pursued with even more vigour in our workplaces, and at the ballot box.