Unifor Local 302 President’s Report- February 26, 2024

Unifor Local 302
Presidents Report
General Membership Meeting

February 26, 2024.

Black History Month

February was Black History Month, and we should continue to recognize Black Unifor members, not only in February, but each day of the year. Support Black members in roles in all levels of the union, respect and value the contributions and views of Black members to combat anti-Black racism and to continue to remove barriers in institutions that prevent Black members from fully participating.

We need to ensure physical and emotional health for all Black Canadians and continue to celebrate, appreciate and acknowledge Black communities across the country.

Rally in Support of Hospital Workers’ Bargaining

The February 6th rally outside of the Sheraton Center in Toronto marked the beginning of a series of actions as we strive for a settlement that reflects and honours our members’ dedication. The message was clear: no concessions, fix the workload issues. Pay our members a decent living wage.

Local 302 members along with many other Unifor members from the London area boarded buses and attended the rally.

The rally had an impact as the OHA withdrew some of their concessions after the demonstration.

Bill 124

February 12, 2024, workers in Ontario celebrated a significant victory as the Ontario Court of Appeal rejected the Ontario government’s appeal against the Ontario Superior Court's ruling that Bill 124 was unconstitutional. Bill 124, enacted by the Ontario Government in 2020, implemented a 1% wage cap on all public sector workers that impacted more than 2,100 Unifor members in hospitals, non-profit long-term care homes, paramedic services, social services, and in education.

Unifor, along with over 40 other unions and associations, filed a Notice of Application on August 28, 2020, with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, which deemed the legislation unconstitutional.

The Ontario government appealed the ruling by Ontario Superior Court of Justice. Monday the appeals court reaffirmed the unconstitutionality of the bill.

This ruling is a victory for fair and free collective bargaining, for the right to a union, and for every Unifor member and unionized worker across Canada. Hours after the Appeal Court ruling, the government announced that it would repeal Bill 124. And on February 23, 2024, the Bill was repealed in its entirety.

National Pharmacare Program

The NDP has reached a deal with the Liberal government to introduce the first piece of a national pharmacare program that includes coverage for birth control and diabetes medication, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said Friday. The deal is a critical piece of the supply-and-confidence agreement between the two parties and comes ahead of a March 1 deadline to table legislation. Pharmacare means that you will get the medicine you need with your health card, not a credit card. Now, millions of Canadians will save money and have better health. The deal includes full coverage for contraceptives close to what British Columbia covers, which includes birth control pills, IUDs and emergency contraception. It also includes insulin for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, as well as additional diabetes drugs. The focus is on covering generics where there is an option to do so, the NDP source said. Ozempic, a new drug for diabetes that has been used off-label as a weight-loss drug, will not be covered under the agreement.

Unifor Local 302 Scholarships

Unifor Local 302 will be offering (5) five educational scholarships of $1,000.00 each. Scholarships will be offered to children of Unifor Local 302 Members in good standing and/or Local 302 Member. These students must be enrolled in post-secondary education in a full-time program at a university, college, or technological institute. Please see flyer for more information.

Family Education Program

Have you ever thought of taking a family vacation with your Union? The program is held at the Unifor Family Education Center in Port Elgin, Ontario, on the shores of Lake Huron. To find more information on the program, and to obtain an application form, contact the office, or go to our education webpage at uniforeducation.org or email Family.education@unifor.org.

Session 1 – Sunday, July 7th through Sunday, July 14th.

Session 2 – Sunday, August 11th through Sunday, August 18th.
American Sign Language Interpretation available Session 2.

Family Fun Day

This year Local 302 Family Fun Day will be held on July 13th at East Park, 1275 Hamilton Road, London, Ontario. The registration deadline is May 31, 2024. See the flyer posted in the workplace for more information.

International Women’s Day Brunch

This year’s Internation Women’s Day Brunch will be held on March 8th, 2024, from 10:00am-1:00pm at Unifor Local 636, located at 126 Beale St, Woodstock, ON. If you are interested in attending, please call the office at (519) 951-0302. We have a few spots available. Note: this is a no lost time event.

Bargaining Update

Ongoing:   Wellkin, and Strathmere Lodge

Upcoming:  Domestic Abuse Services Oxford (DASO)

In solidarity,

Kevin Phillips
President
Unifor Local 302