Unifor Local 1996-O

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Unifor applauds investigation of Ontario’s oversight of long-term care during pandemic

June 3, 2020

TORONTO – Unifor applauds the decision of the Ontario Ombudsman to investigate the provincial government’s oversight of long-term care homes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“One thing that we know for certain is that this pandemic publicly exposed the precariousness of the long-term care system that we have been raising red flags about for years now,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “We know for a fact that if nursing homes were properly staffed, especially with personal support workers, we would have been in a much better position to weather a pandemic.”

Six months ago, the Ontario Health Coalition report commissioned by Unifor “Caring in Crisis; Ontario’s Personal Support Worker Crisis” was released at Queens Park. The report, compiled from a series of cross-province roundtable meetings with all stakeholders, raised the alarm over chronic short-staffing and mass exodus of PSWs leaving the industry.

As that report was released, Dias issued a challenge to Premier Doug Ford to spend one shift with him in a nursing home to see first-hand the everyday realities faced by workers and residents.

“While we appreciate any effort that puts the spotlight on what is happening in long-term care, it is disappointing that the voices of so many women on the frontlines have been ignored for so long,” said Naureen Rizvi, Ontario Regional Director. “We can only hope that the Ombudsman will focus on listening to those women now.”

The union believes the pandemic has lit fire to a tinder box of problems, where PSW’s are first on the front lines. “No-one should be surprised that eight out of the 11 health care workers who have died from COVID-19 in Ontario are PSWs, who provide the most personal of care, with the least access to personal protective equipment,” said Dias.

Information about the union’s response to the pandemic, as well as resources for members can be found at unifor.org/COVID19.

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Unifor actively advising on federal COVID-19 policies

Unifor has continued to engage and advise on federal COVID-19 policies during isolation with National President Jerry Dias providing virtual testimony to both House and Senate Committees.

“The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), picked up the slack for our Employment Insurance (EI) system, which is evidently broken, and in desperate need of repair,” Dias told the Commons Standing Committee on Finance during his May 21 testimony. “However, the CERB has flaws that need fixing. At the top of that list…to allow employer-paid, and Service Canada registered supplemental unemployment benefits (or SUB) alongside CERB.”

Addressing the same committee, Keith Sullivan, President of the Fish, Food and Allied Workers union in Newfoundland and Labrador, called for changes to aid 3,000 members employed in fish processing plants.

“These workers will need support from the federal government, either by an extension to the CERB or through changes to seasonal EI, similar to the recent changes to fishing EI that will ensure they can qualify based on last year’s insurable hours,” said Sullivan.

On May 27, before the Senate Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, Dias stressed that the COVID-19 crisis has brought many of Canada’s structural weaknesses to surface. His testimony emphasized that despite having paid into EI for their entire working lives millions of workers are unable to qualify for EI benefits under normal conditions and went on to warn of an impending flood of new EI claims as initial CERB claims expire in July.

Dias also told the Senators that COVID-19 has shone a spotlight on the low pay and harsh working conditions many workers face, including those deemed essential like Personal Support Workers in nursing homes and workers in supermarkets.

“It has brought into clear view the gender pay divisions of care and service work – and how deeply undervalued this work is,” said Dias as he called for labour standards reform, including a new federal minimum wage of at least $15 among other needed changes.

This week Unifor took its call for reform to the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA).  During Dias’ virtual testimony he told MPs that additional incentive is needed to persuade employers to utilize the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS), which would provide greater financial support to workers laid off due to COVID-19.

Unifor’s presentations highlighted the need to strengthen Canadian manufacturing with the pandemic proving how a lack of government investments and dependency on global markets for essential goods and services can only backfire during a time of crisis.

“Whether it is sorely needed PPE or other goods, we need to better develop our domestic supply chains, strategically, to sustain our economy and stabilize jobs,” Dias testified.

The union also recognized that income security has as much to do with employment as it does other affordability issues, such as housing and rent, transit and mobility, drug coverage and child care.

During the Q & A session following his presentation to the HUMA Committee Dias engaged in a pointed exchange with Conservative MP Kevin Waugh on assistance measures needed to save Canadian media. Dias said Parliament had to “stop the carnage of the industry” while calling Waugh out on lack of action by the previous Conservative government.

Dias concluded his presentation by announcing that Unifor will unveil a comprehensive framework for Canada’s economic recovery pronouncing, “This is not a time for Canada to think small. This is the time bring our biggest ideas to the table.”

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Unifor condemns the most recent blatant acts of racism and racially-motivated police violence

 

George Floyd

 

 

Unifor emphatically condemns the most recent blatant acts of racism and racially-motivated police violence in the United States of America.

But we also know racism is not just a problem in the United States. It is also the daily reality faced by Black, Indigenous and other racialized communities here in Canada as well.

Racism continues to govern the lives of Black, Indigenous and racialized peoples, and as we have seen in the case of George Floyd, racism is taking lives.

We must call the killing of George Floyd exactly what it is: anti-Black racism.

As trade unionists, we must not merely name the problem, but work every day towards equality.

We must reflect on the inherent structures of power that advantage some over others. We must understand the connections between capitalism and racism. We must use the power of love and solidarity to build the better world we know is possible. And we must listen. Listen to our friends, our sisters and brothers, who face anti-Black racism every single day.

We must recognize that our union must be one of many catalysts in society engaged in the undoing of discriminatory frameworks and systemic racism and in achieving an equitable society for all.

Today in Canada, the issue of anti-Black racism is also dominating our consciousness as citizens march seeking answers to the questions surrounding the death this week of Regis Korchinski-Paquet in Toronto.

We must also challenge in Canada the systemic racism ingrained in institutions, policies and practices.

It’s why Unifor recently demanded the collection of race-based and Indigenous data around COVID19 because we know this pandemic impacts Canadians differently and is felt disproportionately by racialized communities.

On behalf of Unifor’s more than 315,000 members, we send our condolences and solidarity to all Black communities affected by systemic racism and who have been traumatized by this week’s acts of violence and we join them in demanding accountability and justice.

As a trade union, we can’t ignore the deadly threat racism poses to our Black, Indigenous and racialized sisters and brothers and friends. We must speak up against it.

The trade union movement was built by working people determined to bring justice and equity in our workplaces and in our society. Our greatest progress has come when we have understood the importance of combating discrimination and uniting all workers.

We will not let racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, xenophobia, religious discrimination and oppression divide us because an injury to one is an injury to all. Let us not be silent.

It is not only honourable to unite in solidarity against hate, it is necessary to build a more equitable world. Being an ally matters.

Unifor asks all members, retirees and allies to challenge oppression and inequality through activism and political action, demanding redress for past wrongs.

Our union is proud to work with trade unions across the continent through the North American Solidarity Project to combat racism. Unifor will continue to fight racism at work and in our communities. We will continue to equip members with the necessary tools to combat racism safely through a robust system of education and training.  Only through education can people unlearn bias and end the cycle of racism. And only through solidarity will the better world we all seek be built.

In solidarity,

 

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Pride Month

pride

Local 1996-O Equity Committee and Executive recognizes LGBTQ Pride month and honours the LGBTQ Community’s progress while acknowledging the work that must still be done.

The rise of LGBTQ rights can be mainly attributed to the Stonewall Riots of 1969 that took place in New York and the “Operation Soap” bathhouse raids in which police raided LGBTQ friendly establishments within Toronto in the early 1980s.

Both of these events caused the LGBTQ community to fight back against police discrimination and served as a pivotal moment for the community. They are credited for the activism that would lead to the decriminalization of homosexuality and its declassification as a mental illness as well as giving rise to a movement that would allow the community to finally have a voice across North America to fight against injustice.

Pride Month which starts in June is meant to celebrate the LGBTQ community, which includes individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, and transgender as well as a wide array of other gender identities.

Local 1996-O stands with you.

 

In Solidarity

1996-O Equity Committee

1996-O Executive

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Injured Workers Day – June 1st

37th annual Injured Workers Day (1)

37th annual Injured Workers Day (1)

 

June 1 Social Post (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sisters and Brothers,

This is our 37th year in Ontario commemorating the proclamation of Injured Workers Day. The naming of a day for injured workers did not come from thin air.  It came as a result of decades of struggle by injured workers for justice.

The demand for justice and dignity continues in 2020…

Workers need protection on the job.  When workers are injured or sick the Workers Compensation and Insurance Board (WSIB) must cover them without aggravation or delay. WSIB must stop pretending injured workers have jobs that they do not in fact have (deeming) and cutting their benefits.

 

We believe more needs to be done during this Pandemic to protect essential workers fighting COVID-19 on the front lines. All workers in industries deemed essential by Ontario must be able to make a claim to WSIB without having to prove they contracted the disease at work.

Our essential workers need to know that the Ford government has their back – if they get sick or need to be quarantined, WSIB will fully support them.

 

We rally on this day, June 1st, to celebrate the gains made through united action, raise current concerns – and remind governments that injured workers cannot be ignored.

 

Because of COVID-19, for the first time since 1983, injured workers and allies will gather ONLINE to celebrate our collective strength and push for a better future.  Let us not go back to how things were, but stand together to look towards a better future instead.

 

Join the Ontario Network of Injured Workers Groups and allies for an online rally.

 

 

Monday, June 1st – 11:00 am to 12:30 pm ET – 37th Annual Injured Workers’ Day

 

 

Join the Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/2784188051813262/

 

Stream live on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-7FTcNMjFU

 

Register to participate and watch in your browser at: https://www.crowdcast.io/e/june1st

 

 

In solidarity,

 

Unifor Health, Safety and Environment Department

 

 

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