TORONTO – Ontario’s conservative government left workers with more questions than answers after a vague, non-committal Throne Speech.

“Today’s speech was a chance to provide leadership and much needed direction following a federal election and a challenging summer break and to show working families that the provincial government has a clear plan to build back better,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Instead, we got a throne speech thick on platitudes and lacking any substance on what the coming legislative session holds for Ontarians. For example, while there was a commendable recognition of front line and essential workers, there was no commitment to fix the embarrassing 10c an hour increase in the minimum wage. Talk must be followed by action.”

There was recognition of the work that but no comment on the 10c increase to minimum wage. Showing respect is more than

Unifor has repeatedly called upon Premier Doug Ford to make a deal with the federal government and deliver universal child care to Ontario’s families yet today’s speech made no mention of child care.

“The Ontario government needs to be bold and start us on this path to universal child care,” said Naureen Rizvi, Unifor Ontario Regional Director. “Voters clearly rejected the federal conservatives in September’s election, including the party’s plans to dismantle the current federal child care plan. Ford should pay better attention, and give Ontarians the reliable, affordable service that was a major issue in this election.”

British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Yukon, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, Manitoba and Saskatchewan have all partnered with the federal government to advance a universal public system of early learning and child care.

The speech also failed to make any commitments to fairly negotiate with and pay health care workers, and speed up implementing time to care in long-term care.

“Any mention of healthcare heroes without an immediate promise to repeal Bill 124 is a slap in the face,” continued Dias. “Despite the immense sacrifices made throughout the pandemic, Ford’s government will not sway from its political punishment of health care and public service workers, and the unconstitutional denial of their rights.”

Bill 124 placed a cap of 1% total annual compensation for a three-year period for the entire broader public service, including a large number of health care workers. Workers in hospitals, non-profit long-term care homes, and Ornge air ambulance have had their compensation capped due to Bill 124

 

Source: Unifor

TORONTO — Unifor is calling on the Ontario government to enact legislation to ban anti-vaccine protests near hospitals, schools, daycares and COVID-19 immunization and testing clinics.

“Anti-vaccine protests not only put the health and safety of our members but the entire community at risk,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “These COVID heroes have sacrificed so much for the betterment of society and to have a group of people intimidating them while working is unacceptable. Our COVID heroes deserve better.”

Last Thursday, the Quebec government passed Bill 105 An Act to establish a perimeter around certain places in order to regulate demonstrations in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Act forbids all protests related to the pandemic within 50 metres of any hospitals, schools, daycares and COVID-19 immunization and testing clinics.

“The toll that the pandemic has had on the mental health of frontline workers is unimaginable,” said Naureen Rizvi, Ontario Regional Director. “For the Ontario government to remain silent and continue allowing these protests to occur outside of workplaces is a disgrace and kicking our COVID heroes when they’re already dealing with so much.”

Protests outside hospitals across Canada have been widely publicized in recent weeks, putting strain on patients and their families to get through aggressive crowds. Health care workers have faced harassment on their way to work to treat patients.

The Quebec Act states that those who hold or organize demonstrations within 50 metres of certain educational and health institutions could face fines ranging from $1,000 to $6,000. In addition, it says any protester who intimidates or threatens people entering or leaving schools, daycares, hospitals and designated COVID-19 testing or vaccination centres may receive penalties as high as $12,000.

“Anti-vaccine protests not only allow the possible spread of the virus but allows protesters to continue spreading hate and division amongst us all. This must stop now. I am calling on the Premier to take immediate action to protect our health care workers, educational workers, children, and anyone accessing these services free from hate and intimidation,” said Dias.

The new measures in Quebec will expire after 30 days but provides the government with the right to renew them while the COVID-19 state of emergency order remains in effect

 

Source: Unifor

On October 1st we celebrate the International Day of Older Persons.

First observed in 1991, the General Assembly of the United Nations designated this day to draw attention to the important contribution of seniors and to changing demographics: the greying of the population, or the “age of aging.”

The 2021 Theme: Digital Equity for all Ages

The composition of the world population has changed dramatically in recent decades. Between 1950 and 2010, life expectancy worldwide rose from 46 to 68 years. Globally, there were 703 million persons aged 65 or over in 2019.

In 2020, the number of people aged 60 years outnumbered children younger than 5 years.

Over the next three decades, the number of older persons worldwide is projected to more than double, reaching more than 1.5 billion persons in 2050 and 80% of them will be living in low- and middle-income countries.

A longer life brings with it opportunities, not only for older people and their families, but also for societies as a whole. Additional years provide the chance to pursue new activities such as further education, a new career or pursuing a long neglected passion. Older people also contribute in many ways to their families and communities.

Older persons are a valuable aspect of our society and their contributions are needed to strengthen communities and to have a functioning society.

It is important to recognize that development will only be achieved if it is inclusive of all ages. Governments at all levels must ensure that older persons receive the care, the opportunities and support to experience Healthy Aging.

The United Nations set out several objectives for #UNIDOP2021:

• To bring awareness of the importance of digital inclusion of older persons, while tackling stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination associated with digitalization, taking into account sociocultural norms and the right to autonomy.
• To highlight policies to leverage digital technologies for full achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
• To address public and private interests, in the areas of availability, connectivity, design, affordability, capacity building, infrastructure, and innovation.
• To explore the role of policies and legal frameworks to ensure privacy and safety of older persons in the digital world.
• To highlight the need for a legally binding instrument on the rights of older persons and an intersectional person-centered human rights approach for a society for all ages.

As more people connect digitally, new risks have become apparent. For example, cybercrimes and misinformation threaten the human rights, privacy, and security of older people. The rapid speed of adoption of digital technology has outpaced policy and governance at the national, regional, and global levels. Concrete action to harness the best of these technologies and mitigate their risks.

Unifor retirees continue to fight for improved standards of living, whether it be through employer provided pensions, government pensions, fighting for better and more inclusive healthcare, dental care and a national pharma care program. In 2021, Unifor Retirees from across the country participated in their first virtual Retired Workers Council and throughout the global pandemic they participated in virtual workshops and webinars. Digital technology gave retirees an opportunity to stay connected over the past eighteen months.

To achieve equality attention to the particular needs and challenges faced by many older people is required.

Empowering older persons by active participation in social, economic and political live is one way to ensure their inclusiveness and to reduce inequalities.

Seniors and retired workers will hold virtual events across the country in recognition of International Day of Older Persons, if you are not hosting an event, look for one in a community near you and help recognize the contributions of Older Persons

 

Source: Unifor

Dear members,

Unifor stands united with the families of murdered and missing Indigenous women, girls and two-spirted peoples.

Each year October 4 is commemorated as a day to honour MMIWG2S while showing love and support for their families. We’re honoured to partner with organizations such Drag the Red to make volunteer and financial contributions to support their journey for closure in the search of the Red River.

There are many ways you can show support and raise awareness:

1. Click here to contact your Member of Parliament and demand they be a vocal supporter of a stronger national plan to eliminate violence against Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirited persons.
2. Circulate the Unifor social media shareable with hashtags #WhyWeWearRed #MMIWG2S #NoMoreStolenSisters #NotInvisible #SISVigils
3. Sisters In Spirit Vigil: On October 4 at 2 p.m. Eastern, participate in the Native Women’s Association of Canada’s (NWAC) live streamed national vigil. The webcast will be streamed from https://www.facebook.com/NWAC.AFAC
4. For other Sisters in Spirit community vigils/events commemorative activities (either live or online), check https://www.nwac.ca/event/sisters-in-spirit-virtual-vigil/ for all registered events across the country leading up to October 4.

I hope you can join me on Monday to show our union’s support for Indigenous communities’ demands for truth, justice, and reconciliation.

In solidarity,

Jerry Dias
Unifor National President

Read the Letter in the Toronto Star: Canadian telecoms that accept subsidies must not be allowed to then export jobs overseas

We’ve all noticed when calling our provider for Internet or telephone service support: for many years now, almost all support calls for Canada’s big telecom companies are transferred overseas. And to make matters worse, technical and network management jobs are also being shipped abroad at an alarming rate.

Should it be normal for companies that receive hundreds of millions of dollars in subsidies on the one hand, use the other to replace thousands of good, union jobs here in Canada with low-wage and precarious labour across the globe?

As we head into the next and hopefully final phase of this pandemic, the next federal government has the responsibility to build back our economy by investing in local businesses and jobs, while using every opportunity to develop expertise and capacity here in Canada.

So should we accept that Canadian companies that generate record profits while benefiting from regulatory advantages exclusive to Canada be allowed to offshore good Canadian jobs?

For us, Canada’s two largest unions, the answer is a resounding no. And we’re not alone.

A survey carried out by CROP for CUPE in Quebec just before the pandemic showed that 86% of respondents agreed that companies that generate profits and receive subsidies should be barred from displacing jobs outside of our borders. The federal government has the power to make this change.

Record profits here to create wealth abroad

Just last year, the large telecom corporations generated more than 60 billion dollars in revenue, including nearly 7 billion dollars in profits. If the tens of thousands of jobs created overseas were brought back to Canada, you can just imagine how much workers’ salaries and income taxes would help spur local economies and businesses across the country. Allowing the big telecoms to carry on with this business model has a real cost for everyone.

An imbalance at the bargaining table

Large telecoms know they have an unfair advantage when workers negotiate with them to try to maintain jobs here in Canada: there is no federal anti-scab law. And because they have the possibility to use personnel offshore at any moment, they will always have the upper hand at the bargaining table, and it’s the Canadian economy that pays the price.

Protecting our data

There are also legitimate concerns around data privacy and protection. Big telecoms send the personal and financial data for millions of their clients overseas, to jurisdictions that do not have the necessarily have the same data and privacy protections as Canada. We are playing with fire and the next federal government must put a stop to this practice.

When it comes to telecoms in this election, we have one very clear demand: it is time to ban the offshoring of good, union jobs and personal data.