Union Solidarity

Citizen referendum overwhelming opposes Ontario health care privatization

TORONTO-Health care workers, activists, and community organizers rallied at Queen's Park today to deliver the Ontario Health Coalition (OHC) Citizens Referendum results, which revealed an overwhelmingly strong opposition to the privatization of healthcare in Ontario. The referendum saw an impressive turnout of more than 400,000 Ontarians, with an astounding 98.4% of voters expressing their disapproval of privatization.

Unifor condemns Wescast Industries for abandoning workers in Wingham

WINGHAM, ON—Wescast Industries’ decision to close its foundry operations will devastate workers, families and the community of Wingham, where the facility has operated for more than a century, Unifor says.

“Wescast and its overseas owners are turning their backs on the foundry’s dedicated workforce and the community that has supported them for generations,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “The Wingham foundry closure announcement must serve as a wake-up call to every level of government that Wingham auto parts workers urgently need support.”

Action needed now to resume construction of Stellantis battery plant

WINDSOR—Urgent action is required by the federal government so that construction can resume on the five billion Stellantis EV battery plant in Windsor, Ontario.

“It’s outrageous that tens of thousands of jobs are in jeopardy due to a failure to come to terms on government investment,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “The situation is as serious as it gets. This needs to be resolved immediately to preserve workers’ livelihoods and construction of the EV plant can resume.”  

Letter to Toronto City Council Re: Expanding tourist area exemptions for retail

Dear Councillor,

Re: Proposed Amendment to Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 510-5

We are writing to you on an urgent matter.

It has come to our attention that the City’s Economic and Community Development Committee has recommended amendments to the Toronto Municipal Code, expanding the number of designated retail businesses operating with ‘tourist area exemption’ status. The stated objective is to expand the number of retailers allowed to open for business on statutory holidays.

Unifor Quebec Council

The 18th Quebec Council of Unifor was held in Trois-Rivières from April 26 to 28.

Sophie Albert, the new president of the Quebec Council, chaired her first council since her election in Nov. 2022.

Workers gain protection as pension super-priority Bill receives royal assent

Ottawa – Bill C-228, a private members’ bill that gives pension plan members super-priority during plan windups and bankruptcy proceedings received royal assent.

“This change has been many years in the making. I’m glad to see lawmakers in both chambers say ‘enough is enough’ and put workers first by adopting this legislation,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “Pensions are deferred wages and they cannot be allowed to be stripped away and put to the back of the line if the company closes up shop.”