Media Advisory - Unifor Rights at Work campaign comes to Fort McMurray

EDMONTON, Feb. 18, 2014 /CNW/ - Canada's largest union in the private sector will be meeting in Fort McMurray on Wednesday as part its preparations for a nationwide campaign to defend the rights of Canadians in the workplace. Media are welcome at the meeting to get a sneak peak at Unifor's Rights at Work campaign and to talk to the union's top leadership and research staff about these issues.

"Unifor is standing up for the rights of Canadians to provide for their families in safe and stable workplaces," said Unifor National President Jerry Dias, who will be speaking at the meeting.

Local and national Unifor leaders attending the meeting will be discussing threats posed to basic labour rights, and what they can do about it.

"Allison Redford is attacking basic labour rights of public sector workers—and it won't be long before the government goes after workers in the private sector too," said Dias. "Upsetting the balance of power in workplaces will fundamentally damage Albertans' quality of life—and that's why we are determined to stop it."

In Alberta, Conservatives have made it illegal for some unions to simply talk about striking. Hundreds of workers in Alberta are also impacted by the Harper government's anti-union legislation. In federally-regulated sectors such as oil and gas, Harper has already made it harder for workers to refuse dangerous work and stripped many workers of the right to strike. The government is currently debating Bill C-525, which would make it easier to de-certify unions in federally-regulated sectors.

Efforts by Ontario Conservatives to eliminate the Rand Formula will put pressure on other jurisdictions to do the same.

Unifor was founded Labour Day weekend 2013 when the Canadian Auto Workers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers unions merged. With more than 300,000 members, Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector.

SOURCE Unifor