Council of Canadians shows solidarity with UFCW food processing members

Ottawa – May 27, 2020 – The Council of Canadians has joined the call to help UFCW Canada members at meat-packing plants across the country by formally supporting our union’s campaign to protect food processing workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In statement titled “Solidarity with UFCW Workers during COVID-19,” the council says that it stands in full solidarity with UFCW Canada members working at meat-packing plants in Alberta, Quebec, and other provinces, and encourages Canadians to support UFCW’s call for improved health and safety protections, increased physical distancing, reduced line speeds, and full access to personal protective equipment (PPE) at all meat processing facilities.

“People must come before profit, and worker safety is paramount,” the statement of support reads. “Unsafe work is a public health crisis in COVID-19 and puts entire communities at risk.”

The statement then asks supporters to sign UFCW’s petition telling the Government of Canada and major employers to guarantee the health and safety of food processing workers and ensure that they have a say in determining the conditions of their work environment.

To read the full Council of Canadians statement showing solidarity with UFCW food processing members, click here.

To lend your support to UFCW Canada’s “Help Protect Food Processing Workers!” campaign, click here.

Founded in 1985 and headquartered in the nation’s capital, the Council of Canadians is a leading social action organization that has mobilized a network of 60 chapters across the country. Through various campaigns, the council advocates for clean water, fair trade, green energy, public health care, workers’ rights, and a vibrant democracy. To learn more about the Council of Canadians, visit their website.

UFCW Canada is the country’s leading private sector union, representing more than 250,000 union members across Canada working in food processing and retail, transportation, health care, logistics, warehousing, agriculture, hospitality, manufacturing, and the security and professional sectors. To learn more about UFCW’s presence in the food processing industry, as well as other sectors of the economy, see our union’s latest Annual Report.