Unifor’s Rights at Work sheds light on legislative attacks on collective bargaining

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Canada’s largest union in the private sector is holding meetings across the country over the next four weeks to prepare for a nationwide campaign to defend the rights of Canadians in the workplace.

The next stops on the tour are St. Catharines, Ontario, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Thunder Bay and Sudbury, Ontario. 

“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 attending all of the meetings. “Unionized or not, we believe that’s what all Canadian workers want.”

The meetings – which began in Windsor, Ontario on January 13 and finish in St. John’s, Newfoundland, on February 27 – are being held to discuss with local Unifor leaders threats posed to basic labour rights, and what they can do about it.

“Without unions and collective bargaining, it will be impossible for most Canadians to attain a decent, secure life,” Dias said. “The current attack by governments across Canada on our basic labour rights will fundamentally damage our quality of life – and that’s why we are determined to stop it.”

There will be top national leaders at each of the meetings, as well as local and regional leaders, researchers and experts.

 The upcoming meetings include:

St. Catharines, Friday January 24, 9 am - 124 Bunting Road, St. Catharines, ON 

Winnipeg, Monday January 27, 9 am -  206-275 Broadway, Winnipeg, MB 

Thunder Bay, Wednesday January 29, 9 am-  Hoito Restaurant-314 Bay Street, Thunder Bay, ON 

Sudbury, Wednesday, January 29, 1:00pm- 2550 Richard Lake Drive, Sudbury, ON 

Quebec City, Tuesday/Wednesday February 11/12, (in conjunction with Quebec Council) , Hôtel Hilton à Québec, 1100, Boulevard René-Lévesque Est., Québec, QC 

Ottawa, Thursday February 13, Noon- 5 Gurdwara Drive, Ottawa, ON 

Vancouver, Monday February 17, 9 am- 326 – 12th Street, 2nd Floor, New Westminster, BC 

Prince George, Monday February 17, 6 pm- Coast Inn of the North – Tabor Room, 770 Brunswick Street, Prince George, BC 

Edmonton, Tuesday February 18, 1 pm- Commonwealth Recreation Centre, 11000 Stadium Road N.W.  Edmonton, AB 

Fort McMurray, Wednesday February 19, 9 am- 201-10020 Franklin Ave. Fort McMurray, AB 

Saskatoon, Thursday February 20, 9 am- Delta Bessborough – William Pascoe Rm., 601 Spadina Cres. East, Saskatoon, SK

Regina, Thursday February 20, 6 pm- 3525 Pasqua St. Regina, SK  

Moncton, Tuesday February 25, Noon- Moncton Lyon’s Club, 55 Mark Ave.  Moncton, NB 

Halifax, Wednesday February 26, 1 pm- Delta Halifax - Bluenose Ballroom, 1990 Barrington Street, Halifax, NS,

St. John’s, Thursday February 27, 9 am- St. John’s, St. Teresa’s Parish Hall, 120 Mundy Pond Road, St. John’s, NL 

Media are welcome at all the meetings to find out about Rights at Work campaign and the union’s response to legislative attacks on collective bargaining.

The federal Conservative government’s Bill C525 would make it easier to decertify unions in the federal sector, on the basis of biased voting rules. In Ontario, Conservative Leader Tim Hudak wants to eliminate the Rand Formula, while Alberta’s Conservatives have made it illegal for some unions to even talk about striking.

The meetings will review such challenges, and how Unifor’s Rights at Work campaign will counter the attack.