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Local 2020 members locked out, rally in Sudbury, Ontario Nearly two dozen workers, all members of USW Local 2020, took to the streets on June 3 to picket their employer, CarePartners, after being locked out on May 31. The union rejected the company’s latest contract that included debilitating compensation cuts and increased weekend work, and took away the workers’ pensions. “The union was prepared to continue bargaining to reach a negotiated settlement, but the company opted to lock out its employees, going so far as changing the locks on the office doors,” said USW District 6 Director Marty Warren. “Instead of bullying its employees, CarePartners should get back to the bargaining table and negotiate a fair deal." All but one of the employees are women and their top wage, regardless of seniority, is $16.15 an hour. One of the issues the union is trying to address at the bargaining table is language regarding the company’s harassment policies. The two parties will meet again at the bargaining table on June 11. Community and union members who would like to show solidarity with the locked-out local can contact the CEO of the North East Local Health Integration Network (LIHN), Jeremy Stevenson, with messages of support for the workers. LHIN is the government provider that funds CarePartners. Stevenson can be reached at [email protected] or at 1 800-461-2919, extension 2390. — Jun 11
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Community Rally to Support USW Local 7085 in Belldune, N.B. COMMUNITY RALLY TO SUPPORT WORKERS OF THE SMELTER IN BELLEDUNE, N.B. Everyone is invited to join the members of USW Local 7085:
- Tuesday June 4th, starting at 2:00 pm
- Belledune Ball Field and Recreation Centre, 2404 Main Street*In case of rain, we will be using the arena.
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USW District 6 Health Care Activists Mobilize in Canada and Prepare for More Action Approximately 30 USW health care members met to talk about the importance of bargaining and learn how the union approaches negotiating strategies to win the best possible contracts for its members. With health care workers having no right to strike in Canada, activists must use union organizing and other grassroots efforts to obtain the language and standards they need and deserve in an industry plagued with short staffing and workplace violence. “Right now, there’s not enough funding or resources to suffice the growing needs in the long-term care industry,” said District 6 Area Coordinator Richard Leblanc. “And the legislated process to resolve impasse during bargaining is broken, so we need to go back to the good old days of activating our membership.” One major outcome of the council’s meeting was the creation of a subcommittee, which will focus on those mobilization efforts and begin forming an action plan to tackle the many issues health care workers need addressed, including burnout, standards of care, and the right to refuse unsafe work. The activists in Ottawa last Thursday also rallied at an intersection near the office of Lisa MacLeod, a politician serving in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, to call for real fixes to these challenges. They handed out leaflets to drivers waiting at red lights as well as directly to MacLeod’s office. “The private sector is not the answer,” said Audra Nixon, president of the District 6 Health Care Council. “Good public policy is, and that’s why we need to make our voices heard.” For more photos from the event, click here. — May 21
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CLC/UWCC Post-Secondary Scholarship The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) Young Workers Program and United Way Centraide Canada (UWCC) are pleased to present the annual CLC/UWCC Post-Secondary Scholarship. The CLC and the UWCC are long-time partners in taking action to create prosperous, inclusive, diverse and respectful communities, safer workplaces, and a fairer Canada for working people. We recognize that post-secondary education provides important opportunities for young people but is out of reach for many working-class people due to ever-increasing tuition fees. Young workers today are facing many social and workplace issues. However, many have taken these challenges as an opportunity to create positive change, and impact their communities for the better. This scholarship is offered in recognition of the efforts and commitment of young workers across Canada who have demonstrated commitment to positively impacting social and workplace issues in their community. We are pleased to offer a scholarship in the amount of $2,500 to support a young activist who is starting their first year of full-time post-secondary study in September 2019. Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Current union member, or the child/dependent of a union member, that is affiliated to the CLC;
- Age 30 or under as of September 1st, 2019;
- Enrolled for September 2019 to enter their first year of full-time study at a Canadian public post-secondary institution: university program (leading to a degree) or college program (leading to a diploma or certificate);
- Does not have any prior post-secondary studies; and
- Currently enrolled or not more than two years out of secondary school.
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Join the International Campaign for a New Social Contract for Working People Sign ITUC’s petition calling for a fair deal for all working people We know the economy is rigged against workers: people are disenchanted with a model of globalization that has put profit ahead of people. On the 100th anniversary of the International Labour Organization, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) is calling for a fair deal for all working people. ITUC is calling on the ILO to include a New Social Contract in its centenary declaration. That means:
- Rights for all workers, whatever employment arrangements they have.
- Fairer wages, including minimum wages on which people can live in decency.
- More control for people over their working time and more oversight over their bosses to make sure they can’t discriminate or evade responsibilities.
- Building justice into the climate and technology transitions.
United Steelworkers Canada News Feed
- Local 2020 members locked out, rally in Sudbury, Ontario
- Community Rally to Support USW Local 7085 in Belldune, N.B.
- USW District 6 Health Care Activists Mobilize in Canada and Prepare for More Action
- CLC/UWCC Post-Secondary Scholarship
- Join the International Campaign for a New Social Contract for Working People