Unifor Local 302 President’s Report- December 18, 2023

Unifor Local 302 
Presidents Report 
General Membership Meeting 

December 18, 2023. 

Ontario Regional Council 

Ontario Regional Council was held in Ottawa from November 29th through December 3rd and the Local sent 15 delegates.  

We heard from various speakers including Natalie Mehra from the Ontario Health Coalition on the risks of privatization of health care in Ontario. We were also given presentations on the state of health care in Ontario and the member-to-member campaign to stop health care privatization. We were also given reports on the activities of the union and the standing committees throughout the year.  The delegates supported recommendations of the Ontario regional Council on supporting families of Missing and Murdered indigenous Women and Girls and 2 spirited, Improving WSIB, housing Policies and Mobilizing for Political Change in Ontario. The Vacant positions on the council were filled through election.  

Prior to the start of the ORC, the local attended industry councils for health care and education, technical, office professionals.  

December 6th National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women 

This year Local 302 hosted the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. It’s been over 30 years since this act of violence claimed the lives of 14 women at the Polytechnique Montréal. A day that shook the Nation. 

The event was very well attended, including Guest Speaker Lana Payne, National President; Guest Speaker Samia Hashi, Ontario Regional Director; Kellee Janzen, Health Care Director; several National Reps; and attendees from Local 27, Local 88, Local 636, and Local 6005. 

The Ebony Ball 

The Ebony Ball hosted by the Congress of Black Women of Canada London Chapter was held Friday December 15th at the Delta Mariott London Armories. The fundraiser supports Black students’ scholarship programs. This years Guest Speaker Dr Bessley Gray was introduced by her Husband High Commissioner of the Bahamas H.E.V. Alfred Gray and she delivered a powerful address on Empowerment for Collaboration. 

The capacity filled room was also serenaded by Ashleigh-Jade Williams on the violin, a performance by the London Kids Community Gospel Choir, and D J Wickham supplied the dance music which closed the night. 

Holiday Greetings

As this is our last meeting of 2023, our Local 302 Executives would like to wish each and every one of you a wonderful holiday season. However you may choose to celebrate, our wish is that it is with those you love, is safe, and it’s doing whatever makes you happy!  

In Solidarity, 

Kevin Phillips 
President 
Unifor Local 302