In light of Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty's plan to use the Don Drummond Commission Report as justification for dismantling the province's valuable social services, the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) is calling on all activists to attend the Day of Action against Austerity at Queen's Park in Toronto on April 21 at 3 p.m. The protest will tell Mr. McGuinty to build the province rather than tear it apart.
Over the past several weekends community members, organizations, and unions alike have come together to raise funds for the 14 people injured in the crash that killed 10 migrant workers in Hampstead, Ontario on February 6, 2012. To date, the Migrant Worker Family Support Fund has surpassed the $120,000 mark thanks in part to generous donations made at events organized by community leaders and organizations.
Recently, UFCW Canada activists and staff joined 350 other attendees packed into South Vancouver’s Fraserview Hall for the Vancouver and District Labour Council (VDLC) "Celebrating Women" event.
Refugee Rights Day is commemorated each April 4th to reflect on the impact of the Singh decision regarding the protection of refugee rights in Canada. On April 4th, 1985, the Supreme Court of Canada rendered the historic Singh Decision in recognition of refugee claimants Harnhajan Singh, Sadhu Singh Thandi, Paramjit Singh Mann, Kewal Singh, Charanjit Singh Gill, Indrani and Satnam Singh.
UFCW lost one of our own on April 1 – Addie Wyatt was a pioneering and inspiring union activist. She was a founding member of the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW), the first woman International Vice-President of Amalgamated Meat Cutters, the first woman of colour to serve on the board of the UFCW after its formation in 1979.
Another group of service workers in the Alberta oil sands has added their voices to UFCW Canada Local 401 to bargain for better conditions and higher employment standards in their workplace and rapidly growing industry.
“This federal budget, the first budget from the Harper majority government, shows that the Conservatives are clearly out of step with Canadians,” says UFCW Canada National President Wayne Hanley. “Canadians believe that government has a responsibility in addressing income inequality, and cuts to the public sector, cuts to public services and raising the OAS eligibility rates will do nothing to address that inequality.”
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has announced that his Conservative Government will raise the age of eligibility for Old Age Security (OAS) from 65 to 67 years old.This decision has enraged Canadians of all ages because, as it stands right now, OAS is a modest but essential benefit that provides retirees with roughly $508.35 per month, or $6100.20 per year.
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United Food and Commercial Workers Union
Canada's private sector union