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Unifor held its first-ever Ontario Action Centre meeting on July 25-26, 2024, at the Unifor National Office, bringing together 65 team members from eight action centres across Ontario for an intensive two-day training session. The meeting aimed to enhance skills, foster connections, and equip Unifor representatives with tools to better support members facing a change in employment.
“These action centres are vital in providing members with the support they need during challenging times,” said Samia Hashi, Unifor Ontario Regional Director. “The Worker Action Centre Coordinators and Peer Helpers do is invaluable, offering not just resources but a sense of community and resilience.”
Angelo DiCaro, Director of the Unifor Research Department, and Sune Sandbeck, National Representative, provided labour market insights, highlighting the current challenges and trends affecting workers. Facilitated table discussions encouraged team building and knowledge sharing, focusing on unique labour market adjustment challenges and the impact of layoffs on member wellbeing.
"As a union, we fight like hell to protect members' jobs, and when layoffs do happen, members need to know we are fighting just as hard to see them succeed in a new opportunity," said Shinade Allder, Ontario Regional Council Chairperson. "The resources and support Unifor offers through action centres are making a great impact on the lives of our members, providing them with the assistance they need to navigate challenges and move forward with confidence."
A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) and mental health supports. Mike Byrne, National Representative, and Jessica Ridgewell, Ontario Regional Council EFAP Representative, helped familiarize team members with resources like the 211 national mental health support hotline, Green Shield Health+, and the 988 suicide and mental health crisis care line to assist members through job loss with empathy and mutual mental health support.
Additionally, participants heard from Linda Poho, Project Coordinator of the Ontario Skills Development Fund (SDF) and the EV Upskilling/Training Project in partnership with St.Clair College in Windsor, who discussed grants available for members seeking employment in the EV supply chain.
Members also heard from Billy O’Neill and Lorraine Sinclair, both from the union’s Organizing department, who presented on the links between job displacements and the need for organizing new workplaces, sharing best practices to support members and reinforcing Unifor’s commitment to robust labour representation.
The meeting concluded with closing remarks from Samia Hashi, who expressed optimism about the long-term goals of fostering continuous connection and sharing best practices among the teams.
