Sisters and Brothers, it is with great pride that we announce that Unifor Locals 25 and 26 have decided to join our “Listen up” initiative. This is a very positive step for our Local and all its members. Congratulations Sisters and Brothers. It’s time to start the dialogue on Stress and Work life balance!
@ Work Centres near you.
TORONTO – Unifor officials, including National President Jerry Dias, met today with senior General Motors officials to find ways to preserve jobs in Oshawa.
“I am much more confident today than I was a month ago that together we will find a resolution,” said Dias. “While some of our members qualify for retirement, others need ongoing good paying jobs to support their families. We are committed to work with GM to find solutions for both.”
Unifor began constructive negotiations with GM on February 25, 2019.
While it is clear to the union that GM has no intention of extending vehicle manufacturing beyond December of 2019, we are examining the potential to transform operations so as to maintain a base level of hourly employment.
The parties have agreed to continue talks over the next few weeks and Unifor’s priority is to save as many jobs as possible in Oshawa.
As a result of these ongoing talks, Unifor has suspended what has been an aggressive multi-media campaign to persuade the automaker to reverse its November decision to close the Oshawa Assembly Plant
March 19, 2019
On March 21, 2019, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, we pause to reflect on the inherent structures of power that advantage some over others. We also use this opportunity to recognize our union’s work in undoing these discriminatory frameworks and move forward to achieve an equitable society for all.
Built on a history of settler violence and colonialism, our efforts as a nation towards truth and reconciliation leave much to be desired. Going beyond lip service, Canadian policies must allocate adequate resources and funding for programs and services to meet the needs of Indigenous communities, including access to clean water and quality housing. Violence against Indigenous girls and women, and the innumerable lives lost to and impacted by this, demand our attention as a nation.
From discriminatory immigration policies that consider migrant workers good enough to work here but not good enough to belong here, to racial profiling that systemically discriminates against Black people, we, as activists, have much to advocate for. These systems of oppression and injustice perpetrate harmful stereotypes and uneven access to resources and political representation. For these reasons, amongst others, Unifor’s mandate to push for social justice is more relevant now than ever.
In our fight to defend human rights and combat racism, 2018 saw roundtable discussions that address these issues, along with tackling timely topics such as xenophobia and Islamophobia. Human rights training and courses that equip activists with the tools to be a voice for fairness and diversity in workplaces and beyond are other ways our union is paving the way for a more equitable world.
Solidarity
Christine Maclin
Director, Human Rights
Dear Members,
Public, high quality and accessible health care is under attack here in Ontario. The Ford government recently introduced Bill 74 The Peoples Health Care Act, and if enacted this bill would bring transformative, regressive changes to our public health care system.
Bill 74 does not improve patient services, reduce hospital wait times or increase frontline health care workers. The legislation would open the door to allow for-profit corporations to provide health care services to Ontarians. Moving health care services to the private sector has resulted, time and again, in unequal access based on what patients can afford to pay.
To understand how Bill 74 would impact workers and Ontarians, I am inviting you to join us for a telephone town hall on Tuesday, March 26 at 6:30 pm.
Here is how you can participate:
Listen online: https://video.teleforumonline.
Ontarians must speak up now because we cannot afford to let Bill 74 pass.
In solidarity,
Naureen Rizvi
Ontario Regional Director
March 15, 2019
Unifor condemns the deaths of more than 49 Muslims in Christchurch, New Zealand and we stand united in grief with Muslim communities.
The shockwaves of this massacre are being felt around the world and in Canadian cities and towns. Unifor is committed to doing everything in our power to fight racism and Islamophobia.
The actions of terrorists represent the worst in our societies. In Canada, we witnessed Islamophobic violence when six Muslim worshippers were murdered at a prayer service on January 29, 2017. Azzedine Soufiane, Khaled Belkacemi, Aboubaker Thabti, Abdelkrim Hassane, Mamadou Tanou Barry and Ibrahima Barry were killed in that targeted shooting in a Quebec City mosque.
White supremacy has been allowed to manifest thanks to right wing politicians who capitalize on divisiveness and hatred.
A social media account alleged to belong to one of the New Zealand attackers featured a link to an 87-page manifesto filled with anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim propaganda.
We must recommit to unite and fight the language and tactics of these racist instigators.
Today we mourn.
Tomorrow and everyday, we continue to fight and refute any politicians or public figures that seek to divide us.