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Rally on Parliament Hill for public health care

 

Unifor members and leadership joined hundreds on Parliament Hill to rally in support of public health care on February 13, 2024.

“Unifor members believe in the fundamental right to accessible, quality health care for all, and we’re here to tell the federal government that if provinces are not going to protect public health care, Ottawa must,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “Public funding in health care, including dental and pharmacare, is essential and desperately needed across Canada – but it needs to come with strings attached so that health care workers are recognized with fair wages and safe workloads.”

The event, organized by the Canadian Health Coalition and supported by various labour unions, health care professionals and community organizations, called attention to the pressing need for increased funding and support for public health care services across the country.

“Our health care members are on the frontlines witnessing the impact of underfunding every day,” said Kari Jefford, President of Local 229 and National Executive Board Member representing health care workers. “We rallied on Parliament Hill to demand action because we believe that no one should have to choose between their health and their financial well-being. It’s time the federal government steps up to ensure that public health care does not become a relic of the past, but a sustainable promise for the future.”

The rally featured heartfelt stories from individuals across the country, who shared their experiences with the health care system and called for urgent reforms to address the long-standing issues of underfunding, staffing shortages, and inequitable access to services. Advocates also highlighted the importance of addressing the social determinants of health, including housing, employment, and environmental factors, which significantly impact Canadians’ well-being.

“In Nova Scotia, we’re seeing firsthand how shortages in staff and resources are stretching our public health system to its limits,” said Jennifer Benoit, President of Local 2107. “Today’s rally isn’t just about voicing our concerns; it’s about advocating for a public health care system that values its workers as much as its patients. We’re calling on the government to safeguard our health care with proper funding and support, ensuring access for all, regardless of where they live.”

As chants and calls for action echoed off the parliamentary buildings, the message was clear: the time for meaningful health care reform is now. The Canadian Health Coalition presented a list of demands, including increased federal funding for health care, the implementation of a national pharmacare program, and measures to support health care workers and ensure the sustainability of the system.

Participants left Parliament Hill energized, ready to continue the fight for a health care system that truly serves the needs of every Canadian.

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Bell axes workers while lining pockets of shareholders

February 8, 2024

 

TORONTO – Unifor is outraged about today’s announcement from Bell Canada Enterprises Inc. (BCE Inc.) to cut 4,800 jobs – 9% of its workforce – affecting 800 of the union’s members, while deliberately putting shareholders ahead of workers with increased dividend payouts.

“This is absolutely devastating news for thousands of workers and their families. Adding insult to injury, the company is conducting this mass layoff while increasing dividends to shareholders and buying back shares,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

“Executives and shareholders are doing just fine while our members are being thrown out of work, including once again in the media. Our union does not accept the use of government policy changes as a smokescreen to justify the company’s actions,” said Payne.

Bell has been a beneficiary of the Government of Canada’s support for the domestic telecommunications and media industries, allowing the company to become a telecommunications giant in Canada.

Of the 800 Unifor members, the vast majority come from the telecommunications sector, who are largely workers responsible for keeping Canadians connected, with 100 workers coming from the media sector.

The company is also cancelling the noon news broadcasts on all CTV stations, except in Toronto, and its dinner and evening weekend newscasts on all CTV and CTV2 stations, except in Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa. The loss of local news across Canada is devastating to our country and our democracy.

This is the largest mass layoff by the company in 30 years and delivered at a time when the company is on sound financial footing, able to continuously raise dividends year-over-year during the past decade and buy back shares which helps to feather the nests of shareholders and executives.

While Bell continues to pass the buck, blaming the federal government and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission’s slow roll to provide financial relief for media companies through The Online News Act (Bill C-18) and updates to the Broadcast Act (Bill C-11), the company still reported a whopping $2.3 billion profit at the end of last year.

The announcement marks the second major layoff at the media and telecommunications company since June, when it announced 6% of jobs were eliminated and nine radio stations were either closed or sold.

“We are deeply dismayed by this announcement of job cuts at Bell, which directly impacts our members,” said Unifor Quebec Director Daniel Cloutier.

“This unilateral decision shows a blatant lack of consideration for the dedication and hard work of Unifor members, who do not deserve this instability. We express our anger and indignation at this unacceptable situation.”

Len Poirier, Unifor National Secretary-Treasurer, said these hardworking individuals, who have dedicated themselves to the company, deserve better treatment.

“We condemn this decision and stand in solidarity with our members,” he said.

The company also confirmed in a separate internal memo that it intends to sell 45 of its 106 radio stations to seven buyers, with the sales subject to CRTC approval and other closing conditions.

The affected radio stations are in Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada. Unifor represents members at four of the B.C. radio stations.

Unifor represents more than 10,000 media workers, including 5,000 members in the broadcast and film industries. Over 2,100 members work at Bell Media.

Unifor represents 26,000 telecommunications workers, including more than 19,000 members at BCE Inc. and its subsidiaries.

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.

 

For more information, please contact Unifor National Communications Representative: Jenny Yuen or (416) 938-6157.

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Health care unions unite for quality care and fair staffing

February 7, 2024

 

In a powerful act of solidarity, Unifor, CUPE, and SEIU healthcare workers rallied at the Toronto Sheraton Centre, demanding the Ontario Hospital Association invest more in hospital staffing and fair wages to improve patient care and worker support.

“Today’s rally goes beyond a call to action it’s a stark reminder of the critical crossroads facing our health care system,” said Samia Hashi, Unifor Ontario Regional Director, at the February 6 rally. “We stand here united, to amplify the urgent need for the Ford government to acknowledge the vital contributions of our health care workers by providing them with the necessary resources and support to provide the care that Ontarians rightfully deserve.”

The three unions are advocating for wage increases that exceed inflation, equitable benefits, and enhanced premiums for challenging shifts. However, the negotiations have reached an impasse as the Ontario Hospital Association insists on concessions that would undermine job security and reduce patient care. Despite direct negotiations extending over weeks, economic proposals from CUPE and SEIU have been met with a disconcerting silence. The refusal to negotiate a fair wage increase in line with the cost of living, or to address workloads, highlights the growing concern within the sector.

“Our fight for better staffing and patient care today is a fight for the future of health care in Ontario,” said Kelly-Anne Orr, Assistant to the National Officers, as she spoke at the rally. “Ontarians envision a system where quality care is the standard, not the exception, driven by fair compensation and respect for those on the frontlines.”

Unifor is diligently negotiating both local issues at participating hospitals and preparing for central negotiations slated for February 13th. The union will also support CUPE during the pivotal mediation days on February 6 and 7, and SEIU’s subsequent sessions on February 10 and 11.

The rally was a collective show of force, featuring a diverse lineup of speakers from all opposition parties, various labor unions, and representatives from the Ontario Health Coalition. The February 6 rally marks the beginning of a series of actions as the union continues to strive for a settlement that honours and respects our members.

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Unifor calls on Parliament to prioritize affordability crisis, industrial strategies and pro-worker legislation

 

OTTAWA— Unifor is calling on Parliament to prioritize measures to address the affordability crisis, develop new industrial strategies to build the economy and accelerate anti-scab legislation and long overdue Employment Insurance reforms.

“MPs have an opportunity in this Parliament to work towards the advancement of working people in Canada, those hit hardest by the affordability and housing crises, an economy that is restructuring toward net zero and rising income and wealth inequality,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “This year is a time for elected officials to help pull Canadians through a difficult period and build an economy with good jobs for everyone.”

In the new session of Parliament, the union expects government to take action on a range of issues affecting workers, captured in its submission to the Parliamentary Committee on Finance Consultation on the 2024 Federal Budget. Read the full submission here.

The union is also calling on government to prioritize:

  • Canada’s affordability crisis, including housing, reigning in rising food and fuel costs, and holding profiteering corporations to account;
  • The use of industrial strategies that target investment attraction, skills training and job growth in strategic economic sectors, including in the automotive and EV supply chain, but also in aerospace, forestry, energy, rail and transit, among others.
  • Long-promised Employment Insurance program reforms that improve access for workers and enhance benefits; and to
  • Accelerate the timing for strong, anti-scab legislation along with other outstanding labour standard improvements, including equal pay rules.

“Spending cuts and austerity championed by some politicians won’t help Canadians through these difficult times. Our union will continue to demand an economy that works for everyone and for the federal government to play a positive role in helping to build one,” Payne said.