February 9, 2024

 

TORONTO – Unifor welcomes the announcement of a new agreement between the federal and Ontario governments that promises to inject $3.1 billion in federal funding into the province’s health care system.

“Today’s announcement comes as a vital boost for Ontario’s health care system that’s facing immense strain,” said Lana Payne. “The agreement comes at a critical time as Ontario’s health care system faces severe staffing shortages, a historic high in the number of patients without a family doctor, and escalating wait times in hospital emergency rooms. We must ensure that these funds are not siphoned off by private interests but are directed where they will strengthen Ontario’s public health care system.”

The “Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care” is a result of negotiations following a national health funding summit in February 2023 where the federal government announced a significant increase in federal health transfers to the provinces, totaling $17.3 billion over the next ten years. Additionally, a further $25 billion has been pledged over the same period for bilateral agreements that focus on four federal priorities: enhancing access to family health services, increasing the health care workforce, bolstering mental health and addiction services, and modernizing health data collection. The agreement with Ontario is the fifth agreement announced, after British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, Alberta, and Nova Scotia.

“The rapid push towards privatization in Ontario’s health care by the provincial government is deeply troubling,” said Samia Hashi, Unifor Ontario Regional Director. “This trend not only undermines public hospital staffing and increases wait times but also paves the way for a two-tier health care system, where profits overshadow patient needs. With every step towards for-profit care, from surgeries to long-term care, we move further from the principles of equity and quality in health care. We must ensure that the new funding prioritizes patients over profits.”

Unifor remains committed to advocating for a strong, accessible, and public health care system across the country. The union plans to engage in discussions with both federal and provincial governments, aiming to strategically direct the new funding for the greatest public benefit.

 

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.

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.