May 30, 2024

 

Unifor members joined thousands of Ontarians in a united stand against the privatization of health care at  rallies organized by the Ontario Health Coalition throughout the province on May 30.

“This is a critical fight for the future of our health care system,” said Samia Hashi, Ontario Regional Director. “We are here to tell the Ford government that privatization is a direct attack on every Ontarian’s right to accessible, quality health care. We will not stand by and watch our public health care system be dismantled and sold off to the highest bidder.”

Hashi joined members at the Toronto rally which began at Nathan Phillips Square before demonstrators made their way to Queen’s Park, where the Ontario Legislature was in session. Unifor organized a massive turnout at the health care rally, with buses filled from all parts of Ontario. The rally featured speakers from various unions, all opposition parties, and numerous health care advocates, demonstrating a unified front against privatization.

“The turnout today is a testament to the strength and unity of Ontarians in defending our public health care.,” said Natalie Mehra, Executive Director of the Ontario Health Coalition. “We are sending a clear message to the government: our health care is not for sale.”

In addition to the central event in Toronto, large regional rallies were held across Ontario. In Northern Ontario, rallies took place in Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay, Dryden, and North Bay. Eastern Ontario saw marches and rallies in Ottawa and Cornwall, further amplifying the call to protect public health care.

“The past year our movement has had successes, both at the bargaining table and in the courtrooms. We have won major victories for health care workers and were successful in repealing Bill 124. These wins make our movement stronger and continues the fight against Doug Ford’s privatization agenda,” said Hashi.

The union remains committed to defending our public health care system, vowing to keep up the pressure on the Ford government to abandon its privatization agenda.

View photos from the rally here.

June 3, 2024

 

OTTAWA – Unifor welcomes the passing of the third reading of the federal pharmacare bill, bringing Canada one step closer to making universal pharmacare a reality.

“We are glad to see the pharmacare plan come to fruition as so many Canadians are in need of it,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “With this bill, we are paving the way for a health care system where no Canadian has to worry about affording their medications. ”

In February, the Liberal/NDP pharmacare plan was introduced, outlining coverage for essential medications, including contraception and diabetes-related prescriptions and equipment. The bill aims to address the gaps in Canada’s health care system, ensuring comprehensive access to necessary medications for all Canadians.

“This plan is especially significant for women, who often face greater barriers to accessing health care,” said Payne. “By including contraception and other vital medications, we are taking a critical step towards achieving gender equity in health care. This is not just about medication; it’s about justice and fairness for all.”

Unifor has called on the federal and provincial governments to work together to make much needed medications available across the country and for the provinces of Alberta and Quebec to commit to dedicating any federal funds received towards pharmacare.

Unifor has been at the forefront of advocating for universal pharmacare, leading initiatives like the Pharmacare Now campaign. Additionally, the union’s Reproductive Justice Now campaign continues to push for expanded access to sexual and reproductive health care services.

Unifor remains dedicated to improving the lives of Canadians through continuous advocacy and collaboration with coalition partners and labour unions.

June 5, 2024

 

Holding placards that read, “Bus or plane, Unifor scope is still the same,” more than 50 Unifor members and supporting unions and aviation organizations rallied at Pearson International Airport on June 5 to protect their scope work after Air Canada recently hired a bus company to shuttle passengers to different airports.

“Collective agreements exist to draw a clear line on which work belongs to our members,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Air Canada needs to respect the skilled and experienced work Unifor members do for them each day and keep scope work strictly within the bargaining unit.”

On May 1, Air Canada began a new bus service to bridge nearby Southern Ontario airports. Landline, the contracted company, shuttles passengers between Hamilton and Kitchener airports to Pearson.

The issue, said Unifor Airlines Director Sandi McManus, is processing the passengers is considered scope work that should be performed by Unifor members at Local 2002 and their collective agreement has strong scope language protecting their duties, which Air Canada should respect and immediately give back to the members.

“This will set a negative precedent, as we believe this is our scope work, and we should be doing it, whether Air Canada says it’s for a trial period or not,” said McManus. “We want the employer to use our Unifor members to do the work and our members are proud and eager to perform the additional work.”

The union has filed two grievances with Air Canada, as a result.

The scope work includes check-in, issuing baggage tags, verifying travel documents, seat selection, processing, and re-booking customers, and on arrival, meeting the bus and assisting customers, including providing directions and connecting flight information.

Unifor members also provide mobility assistance, including to the visually impaired.

Currently, the details of the contract between Air Canada and Landline are unknown. The Landline buses involved have 36 seats on board.

“Air Canada has told us bookings are averaging 6% and probably will not last the summer, but the company is missing the point,” said Unifor Local 2002 President Tammy Moore.

“This is our members’ scope work, and we must defend it. The fact that they are not using us even at the Toronto Pearson location is completely unacceptable.”

See photos of the rally

Media Contact

Wednesday, June, 19, 2024

7:30pm – 9:00pm

Unifor Local 112

30 Tangiers Road, Toronto, ON, M3J 2B2

Local meeting attendance has been low as of late, members had raised the following weekday suggested meeting as follows on a trial basis.

Greetings!

Please note that the deadline to apply for a Unifor Scholarship is fast approaching! Each year Unifor awards 28 scholarships of $2,000 to children of Unifor members and a Unifor member entering their first year of post-secondary studies. More information about this popular program including details on how to apply can be found here.

THE APPLICATION PERIOD CLOSES ON FRIDAY JUNE 14, 2024.