Media & News

Agricultural Workers News

UFCW Canada, the Mexican state of Guerrero and the municipal government of Chilapa de Alvarez sign cooperation agreement

Mexico City - March 21, 2013 – UFCW Canada has signed a new agreement with the Mexican State of Guerrero's Secretariat of International and Migrant Affairs (SEMAI), and the municipal government of Chilapa de Alvarez to create the first-ever migrant census of the region. Together, the organizations will work to create a comprehensive overview regarding temporary agricultural workers who migrate within the northern states of Mexico, the United States and Canada.

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B.C. Labour Board denies attempt to suppress Blacklisting evidence

Vancouver – March 16, 2013 – The British Columbia (B.C.) Labour Board has denied an attempt by the Mexican government to suppress documentary evidence – including the testimony of former consular officials – that supports allegations the Mexican government was involved in blacklisting union supporters from returning to Canada as part of the migrant worker program.

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UFCW Canada victory for Quebec agriculture workers

March 12, 2013 - The Superior Court of Quebec has upheld a UFCW Canada challenge of a section of the Quebec Labour Code that had blocked many seasonal agriculture workers in Quebec from unionizing. The victory comes in the wake of a four-year battle at the Quebec Labour Commission and in the courts, to uphold a UFCW Canada Local 501 certification application made on behalf of migrant workers at the L’Écuyer/Locas farm in Quebec.

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UFCW makes its voice heard in roundtable on Temporary Foreign Worker Program

Ottawa – March 6, 2013 – UFCW Canada recently participated in an "invitation-only" roundtable regarding the federal government's Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).  The meeting was held in Ottawa and was chaired by Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, and Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.

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Put S.A.M.E. journey on your map for Migrant Worker Awareness Week 2013!

St. Catharines, Ont. – February 22, 2013 – Get on board! S.A.M.E. (Students Against Migrant Exploitation) is about to embark on an historic journey – to engage students across Ontario to defend human rights and fight for migrant worker justice. The journey begins March 18, at Brock University in St. Catharines; the first of a series of S.A.M.E. events in support of Migrant Worker Awareness Week 2013.

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One year later, still no response from Coroner or Ontario government to Hampstead tragedy

Toronto, ON - February 4, 2013 - A year ago, on February 6, 2012, a horrific collision near Hampstead, Ontario killed ten migrant agriculture workers being transported in a van, as well as the Ontario driver of a flatbed truck. Three other migrant workers who were in the van continue to struggle with shattering injuries. "It is a tragedy waiting to happen again," says Wayne Hanley, the national president of UFCW Canada.

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