Vancouver – November 30, 2019 – UFCW Canada Local 1518 has filed an application with the Labour Relations Board of BC to have Uber and Lyft drivers classified as employees.

MAHCP President Bob Moroz responds to the Pallister Government’s Clinical and Preventative Services Plan, which was made public on Friday, Nov. 29, 2019:

“What this Plan lacks, like many others before it, are the details, especially for us in Allied Health Care. It doesn’t talk about which communities will be affected, which professions and all those things – important details for those who work in health care and those who rely on it.

“We don’t want to see a repeat of what has happened in Winnipeg in the last couple of years, and our members and patients continue to deal with the fallout of those haphazard, poorly planned changes. Earlier this week, we saw WRHA reported wait times going in the wrong direction compared to the same time last year. That’s the tip of the iceberg that we’ve heard from our members: chronic understaffing, more mandatory overtime, and lack of training.

“Also of grave concern to us in Allied Health is the claim that they consulted with the front line in developing this plan, but I’ve looked at their list on the website and it’s overwhelmingly doctors and managers. They need to listen to Allied Health Professionals that are actually delivering front-line care and services, not just for this plan but for everything they do. Allied Health is absolutely critical to health care delivery, but somehow we’re always an afterthought. MAHCP is ready and willing to work with health officials to ensure that Allied Health staffing and service levels are acceptable and appropriate across the province.”

Yesterday, MGEU stewards and safety and health representatives who work in liquor marts across the province, met with MLA’s from all three political parties yesterday during a lobby day highlighting an increase in violent brazen thefts in their workplace. These activists were able to share personal experiences about anxiety, stress and fear in the workplace and felt that they were finally given the opportunity to have their voices heard by government.

Yesterday MGEU President, Michelle Gawronsky, met with Manitoba Premier, Brian Pallister, to identify a number of areas of concern for MGEU members. The Minister of Finance (Scott Fielding), Minister of Central Services (Reg Helwer) and Minister of Families (Heather Stefanson) were also in attendance, and while the meeting only lasted about an hour, a number of important issues were discussed.

The National Union is releasing a series of backgrounders on environmental challenges facing Canadians.

The theme of this year's World AIDS Day is "Communities Make the Difference."

Toronto – November 29, 2019 – In 1992, United Nations resolution 47/3 established December 3rd as International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

This video provides facts and arguments to help us push back against the agenda of cost-cutting that is hurting public services and hurting the province.

Over 400 members from across the province gathered in Quebec City on November 23 and 24 as Unifor held its Quebec Council. In his report to delegates, Quebec Director Renaud Gagné delivered a positive assessment of Unifor’s actions during the federal election of October 21. However, he reminded delegates that “even though the election is over, it doesn’t mean our work is finished. Far from it. Our job now is to build strong ties with newly elected officials and to push forward our demands.”

Gagné also provided an update on the main negotiations currently in progress, including talks at Bombardier, Paccar and VIA Rail, as well as on the labour disputes at Vopak and Crustacés de Gaspé. He also reminded members of the numerous lobbying campaigns under way.

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: without mobilization, nothing is possible. We need our members actively at our side to make our demands heard,” declared Gagné.

National Secretary-Treasurer Lana Payne made a visit to the Council, offering an impressive report on the union’s accomplishments country-wide in the past months. In drawing attention to the incessant attacks by right-wing governments in Ontario and Alberta, she reminded delegates that “we have to be more ambitious than those who are trying to dismantle workers’ rights across Canada. We have to organize people both inside and outside our union. The current context leaves us no other choice.”

During the Council, elections were held for the members of the Quebec Council’s Executive and standing committees. The results of the elections can be found on the Unifor Quebec website. It should be noted that the duration of the Council was short due to the fact that the triennial convention of the Quebec Federation of Labour (QFL) was set to start in Quebec City the next day, running from November 25 to 28.

Quispamsis, New Brunswick – November 28, 2019 – Hannah Fowler is one of eighteen winners of the 2019 UFCW Canada – BDM Scholarship. Each year UFCW Canada offers 18 UFCW Canada – BDM Scholarships worth $1,000 each to active members and their family members for post-secondary study.

MGEU member, Randi Chase, who was recently the victim of a violent attack at a Winnipeg liquor store, joined MGEU President Michelle Gawronsky to speak about how she's feeling now and her hopes for joint community action at a press conference today.

We need an urgent summit of law enforcement, addictions and social services, public and private retailers, unions, and the provincial government. — Michelle Gawronsky, MGEU President

Increased privatization will inevitably lead to two-tier health care, where the wealthy are able to pay for the care they need and the rest of us have to wait and worry.

Toronto – November 27, 2019 – The unanimous ruling by the Ontario Divisional Court to strike down Premier Doug Ford's so-called ‘Student Choice Initiative’ (SCI) followed a legal action by the Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario and the York Federation of Students which challenged the government’s calculated attack on students’ rights, union rights, academic freedom, and student services on Ontario campuses.

“The security and prosperity of Canada, and a sustainable future for generations to come, depend on it.” — Larry Brown, NUPGE President