Human Rights

“Whoever, Wherever, Whenever” are the criteria that all nations must have in accepting refugees seeking safety, the United Nations says in its call for action on World Refugee Day, June 20, 2022.

Unifor is about to embark on a historic week to address racism.

Next week – from June 12 to 17, 2022 – elected racial justice advocates, union members, and community organizations will discuss strategies to address racial harassment and discrimination in the workplace at the inaugural Racial Justice Advocate training course in Port Elgin, Ont.

"Unifor has always championed working towards eradicating racism, not only in workplaces but in the world," said Lana Payne, Unifor's National Secretary-Treasurer. 

TORONTO – In the face of increasing harassment of journalists and media workers online, made worse by polarizing politics and the anonymity of social media, Unifor is launching a new website to help journalists and media workers get the help they need when they need it.

“The harassment journalists face on the job is simply horrific. It is often racist and misogynist, and cannot be tolerated,” said Unifor Secretary-Treasurer Lana Payne, herself a former journalist.

Speak. Listen. Learn.

During Asian Heritage Month in May, Unifor joins with our members to celebrate accomplishments and honour people's diverse experiences from all across Asia including north, southeast and west Asia.

Unifor wants members to share their stories, hear others’ experiences and take away the lessons learned from each other in the workplace to build our solidarity. Let's embrace the history of our workers’ successes and understand the challenges and barriers faced by Asian and South Asian members of our communities and of our union.

Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario
Room 281, Legislative Building
Queen’s Park
Toronto, ON M7A 1A1

Dear Premier Ford,

RE: Passage of Bill 86, Our London Family Act (Working Together to Combat Islamophobia and Hatred)

There’s still much work to be done.

On March 21, Unifor acknowledges the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. It’s not a celebration, though.

On that day in 1960, police officers in the township of Sharpeville, South Africa opened fire on a group of people peacefully protesting oppressive pass laws, killing 69. The anniversary of the massacre is remembered annually with a recommitment for society to end racism in all its forms.

A protester in a truck followed a woman driving her media-branded vehicle homes after covering an anti-mandate protest and endured verbal abuse.

Transit operators were confronted with violence while enforcing rules that all passengers must wear masks onboard.

Guests who refused to follow Covid-19 mandates during their stay harassed hotel workers.

Every year, Unifor observes Human Rights Day on December 10, the day the United Nations General assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.

Unifor is a union for everyone, and in doing so, we are asking all members to “Work together for change.”