Government and Democracy

Unifor is Canada’s largest private sector union, with more than 310,000 members. Our union represents more than 10,000 media workers, including journalists in the broadcast and print news industry.

Journalism is a public good and its role in holding power to account, strengthening democracy and building community has never been more important. Social media has proven to divide us, pitting neighbour against neighbour.  We are more polarized than ever, but a strong Canadian news media can build community.

The Honourable Doug Ford, M.P.P.
Premier of Ontario
@email

Dear Premier Ford,

Re: Keeping Students in Class Act, 2022

The extraordinary action your government has taken, through the Keeping Students in Class Act, 2022, to deny CUPE members their constitutional right to strike, but also deny their right to free and fair collective bargaining, is an egregious and needless assault on trade union freedoms.

The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, P.C., M.P.

Prime Minister of Canada

Dear Prime Minister Trudeau,

In the midst of collective bargaining between CUPE education sector workers and the Ontario government, Premier Doug Ford’s government this week introduced Bill 28 which enacted the Keeping Students in Class Act.

TORONTO- The federal fall economic statement, tabled today by Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, shows promise but stops short of additional measures needed to ensure economic prosperity and stability for Canada’s workers and their families. 

TORONTO- Unifor members are mobilizing to support education workers’ bargaining demands and right to strike on Friday, November 4, 2022 following the disgraceful passage of Bill 28 in the Ontario Legislature.

Laura Walton, President of OSBCU

Sister Laura Walton,

Re: Right to Strike in Ontario

We write on behalf of Unifor’s 163,000 members in Ontario, in full support of CUPE education workers in your bargaining demands and in your right to strike.

Workers must have a say in our own working conditions, and Unifor unequivocally condemns today’s unprecedented attempt by the provincial government to curtail that right for members of CUPE.

TORONTO- Unifor unequivocally condemns Minister Lecce’s imposed contract and preemptive back-to-work legislation, standing in full support of CUPE education workers.

Community and health care activists rallied outside of the Manitoba legislature on October 28, 2022 to launch the union’s “Respect Us. Protect Us. Pay Us.” campaign to improve the working conditions and wages of Association for Community Living (ACL) workers.

“Low provincial funding results in low wages. It’s not surprising that many staff are leaving to take better paying jobs that don’t have the kind of hours and stress related to community care,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director.