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May 24, 2018
OTTAWA – Unifor members from across Canada are on Parliament Hill to lobby MPs for an expansion of public services, including national child care and pharmacare programs, and action on climate change.
“To continue to push for progressive change, the work of Unifor never stops and our members are vigilant in lobbying and speaking up for all workers and families right across Canada,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “Public services are the best way to ensure the needs of all are met and the federal government must put words in to action.”
As part of its effort to bring the concerns of working people to MPs this week, Canada’s largest union in the private sector has more than sixty union members representing different sectors, workplaces and regions in Ottawa. On Thursday, May 24, in a series of scheduled meetings with government and opposition MPs, Unifor members will deliver a message about the importance of investing in public services to ensure access and universality for all working families.
Among the four top issues discussed by Unifor is the need for a national, universal pharmacare program to deliver accessible and affordable prescription drugs to all Canadians regardless of age, income or employment. Unifor also called on the federal government to take immediate action to address the child care crisis by ensuring that Canada has a system for high quality, universal and affordable public child care. Delegates advocated to keep airports public and sought action to address the growing climate crisis. The union asked for a federal commitment and a plan of action on just transition to be implemented swiftly. Unifor seeks a just transition program to assist workers impacted by climate change or technology that leaves no worker behind.
To learn more about Unifor’s national lobby demands please visit
Unifor said the role that union members have in lobbying politicians at all levels is an important tool for achieving political change.
“In addition to our unwavering commitment to fighting for our members’ rights in the workplace and workers’ rights, Unifor is a social union that agitates for broader social change. Through our political action in the streets, in communities and on Parliament Hill our union will push for progressive public policies and social programs to build a better world for all,” said Dias.
Unifor is Canada’s largest union in the private sector, representing more than 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy, including more than 65,000 in federally regulated sectors. 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.
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For more information, please contact Unifor Communications Director, Denise Hammond at @email or 416-707-5794 (cell).
