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On the second day of Unifor’s Prairie Regional Council, remarks from National Secretary Treasurer Lana Payne and Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley helped forge a strong fightback theme to the discussions.
Payne’s speech addressed the politically divided terrain that emerged during and after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted. In particular, she urged delegates that workers must be a strong progressive voice to displace the threatening and divisive tone of the so-called “Freedom Convoy.” Payne stressed that, while many Canadians are legitimately frustrated with the economic instability brought on by the pandemic and constant changes to health regulations, the Convoy’s organizers clearly showed themselves to be no friend to working people and to have numerous explicitly White Nationalist goals.
She encouraged Unifor members to stay the course and double-down on solidarity: “when we unite on union principles, we win. Every single time.”
Payne also said the union is focussed on a post-COVID-19 economy that is more equal and fairer than before the pandemic began: “What is ‘normal’ when thousands of workers are facing fast-moving changes to their workplaces and sectors of employment, and are worried about economic security for themselves and their families? What is ‘normal’ when Black, Indigenous workers and other workers of colour are facing the steepest barriers to the most basic services? What is ‘normal’ when our sisters still face an epidemic of violence, everyday sexism and pay discrimination?
“‘Normal’ was never good enough, so we’re not going to fight for ‘normal.’ We are going to fight for better. For a world that works for workers.”
Elections and resolutions
Newly elected PRC at-large member Kat Williams (Local 250-A) helped inspire delegates by sharing her struggle to maintain her activism after losing her daughter earlier last month.
Chief Dennis Meeches of Long Plain First Nation visited to provide an update on the progress of the area’s Indigenous residential school museum of Canada, of which Unifor is a founding donor.
During powerful and emotional discussion, delegates unanimously supported a recommendation calling for the escalation of local unions’ efforts to advocate for funding Indigenous services and supporting the call for a federal investigation into residential school sites.
Delegates also supported a motion to expand the union’s efforts to stop contract flipping and protect low-wage workers from getting even less when successor rights are ignored.
