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On April 4 on the eve of the 2022 Prairie Regional Council in Winnipeg, Unifor activists from Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba gathered at the Fort Garry Hotel for a summit hosted by Unifor’s Organizing Department.
The one-day meeting focussed on providing Unifor members who were new to the project of organizing unions with an introduction to the tools of the trade and what a union drive looks like. The discussion evolved into more advanced topics like strategies for outreach and networking in the community, and how drives must use inclusive approaches to best meet the needs of all workplaces.
Justin Singh, a member from Local 780-G who organized his workplace, said organizers have to be fearless and stay focussed on the objective: “Don’t be intimidated by the employer. It’s important to be vocal and don’t back down.”
The summit concluded with an ambitious plan to build organizing capacity in the prairie provinces by beginning to identify local union organizing liaisons who can take on more responsibility for the early stage of organizing.
“We must never be complacent. Organizing and building worker power was identified as a top priority when Unifor was founded, and that hasn’t changed,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director. “We’re committed to ensuring local unions have all the tools and support they need to be the face of Unifor organizing in our communities.”
