Unifor recognizes and invites all members to celebrate the International Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31, 2022. This annual day celebrates the value and resilience of transgender people both within the union and around the world.

Trans people are those who identify with a gender other than the one assigned at birth and exist within all countries, communities and religious groups around the world. This identity is separate from an individual’s sexual orientation.

Transphobia and anti-trans discrimination remains prevalent in Canada and is closely associated with growing far-right movements and political parties. This makes workers’ commitments to equity and justice more urgent and demands that we celebrate and build off tangible wins.

On December 8, 2021, Canada’s conversion therapy law, passed unanimously by the House of Commons, received Royal Assent.

Activists and survivors from across the country campaigned for decades to discredit and ban this dangerous practice.

The fight for trans rights, dignity, and equality is not yet won. The continued need for solidarity and allyship with the trans community is a must for workers. As workers, we understand the importance of allyship. As an ally you inform those around you that you are supportive and attentive to the needs of the trans community. We must never forget that our allyship is predicated on actively listening and making change with, and for, trans communities.

A slew of anti-trans laws adopted across the United States reverberated in LGBTQ2 communities and families in recent months. These laws should serve as a reminder to all workers of the fragility of legal protections, and the importance of continued, devoted solidarity for trans, non-binary and two-spirit people.

Unifor wishes to honour trans, non-binary and two-spirit members, who continue to help build our union and strengthen our movement. Our union and society are made better, more educated, and compassionate through their contributions and labour.

Unifor asks members to share a message of support and solidarity on the Trans Day of Visibility.

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TORONTO–On January 26, 2022 Unifor National Secretary-Treasurer Lana Payne received a written complaint that, now former, Unifor National President Jerry Dias engaged in an alleged breach of the Unifor Constitution.

Following review of the complaint, Payne promptly initiated an independent external investigation. On January 29, 2022, Dias was notified of the investigation, which is ongoing.

On February 6, 2022, Dias went on medical leave and subsequently notified the National Executive Board of his immediate retirement on March 11, citing health issues.

In order to ensure the integrity of the ongoing investigation and to maintain confidentiality in accordance with the Unifor Constitution, specifics of the complaint will not be divulged at this time.

Every Unifor member is held to the same standard and afforded the same rights under our Constitution.

Unifor’s National Executive Board will meet on March 21, 2022 to discuss the matter. The union will have no further public comment prior to receipt of the investigative report, expected in the near future.

There’s still much work to be done.

On March 21, Unifor acknowledges the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. It’s not a celebration, though.

On that day in 1960, police officers in the township of Sharpeville, South Africa opened fire on a group of people peacefully protesting oppressive pass laws, killing 69. The anniversary of the massacre is remembered annually with a recommitment for society to end racism in all its forms.

“We are recommitting to our responsibility to eradicate racism in all its forms,” said Christine Maclin, Unifor’s Human Rights Director.

“Racism is still a reality for so many and the pandemic has propelled online hate, harassment, abuse and violence. We all need to eradicate racism, violence and harm collectively. It’s our shared responsibility to not just put finding solutions on victims’ shoulders.”

Racism divides the working class and Unifor is committed to building solidarity across our union and communities.

Unifor is also committed to making workplaces anti-racist. Since September 2020, we have bargained for over 100 Racial Justice Advocates in collective agreements.

These advocates liaise with employers, locals and the national union with its anti-racism work, addressing racial discrimination in workplaces and connecting to community organizations.

From June 12 to 17, 2022, we’re hosting our first Racial Justice Advocate training at Unifor’s Port Elgin Education Centre.

Our five Unifor Racial Justice Liaisons – Margaret Olal from Local 3000, Peycke Roan Local 975, Japna Sidhu-Brar from Local 4005, Cindy Ostapyk from Local 4002 and Marie-France Fleurantin with Local 62 – have tirelessly developed plans to share with our advocates.

These liaisons diligently worked from March to November 2021 with over 200 community organizations and local unions to create an “Anti-Racism Toolkit” that provides local leaders with the resources they need to help eradicate racism.

Unifor is also providing a questionnaire at this training session that allows members to anonymous share their stories and experiences with racism, in an effort to build an internal framework for fighting racism, which will guide Unifor leaders, activists and members to get involved and fight racism.

There is a misconception that racist laws and practices have been abolished in many countries. Most racist acts are never reported and too many individuals, communities, and societies suffer from the injustice and the stigma that racism brings, including the all- too-normal reality that racism never really feels like it has been addressed.

On March 21, Unifor is asking members to continually check their own bias, to call out racism and step in to make sure that we are all doing our part to eradicate racism.

Register your local Human Rights committees with the national Human Rights Department, support community actions that stand up to racism and make your workplace, society and Canada, a more inclusive place to be.