Unifor Local 302 President’s Report- February 27, 2023

Black History Month

February celebrates Black History month and Unifor continues to recognize Black History in 2023, where our focus is empowering the next generation of Black youth.
As we reflect on Black history, Black accomplishments, and the contributions of the many Black communities here in Canada and globally, we also reaffirm the collective work and collective responsibility we all must continue to advocate to end Anti-Black racism in all institutions and society. This year the message is "Black History, Black Futures." The focus, featuring Black youth and all they offer in our workplaces and society through skills, talents, intelligence, innovation, creativity, determination, and leadership.
Black youth have spoken, and we need to listen. Young people are leading the way into the future, making demands to address climate change, exposing environmental racism, calling for reform within governments, advocating for health care, lobbying for job security, pointing out inequalities in workplaces, combating Anti-Black racism and offering solutions to world issues. They are the future of activism.
We ask you to recognize Black Unifor members, not only in February, but every day of the year. Support Black members in roles in all levels of the Union, respect the value and contributions and views of Black members in order to combat anti-Black racism and continue to remove barriers that prevent Black members from fully participating.

International day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

The International day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed on March 21. This is an opportunity to empower people of all races, to reflect on past mistakes and work towards a future of equality. As a Union, we must inspire inclusion and work to eradicate discrimination in our workplaces and communities.
This year the message is: "Our thoughts, our words, our actions."
Thinking about, learning about, or discussing racism is uncomfortable but necessary, and all require honest personal reflection and commitment to action. This day is not a celebration, but rather remembers the 1960 Sharpeville massacre of peaceful demonstrators in South Africa, who were protesting the apartheid "pass laws."
Through our understanding as a Union, we want to make transformative change in ourselves, in the workplace, in our Union, and in society.
We will continue to support the over 200 Racial Justice Advocates that have been bargained into collective agreements and will work to bargain into all collective agreements. These important union representatives are working hard to eliminate racial discrimination and are building solidarity in communities across the country.

16th Annual Bob White Charity Classic

Over the past 15 years and your very generous donations we have raised over 1.5 million dollars for Anova London, Domestic Abuse Services Oxford and Ingamo Home. The women and children that these shelters support greatly benefit from our support.
This year's Bob White Charity Classic will take place at Craigowan Golf Club located at #595836 Hwy 59 North, RR#6, Woodstock Ontario on Monday August 28 th .  Shotgun start at 9:00am sharp, if you are interested in playing in the tournament this year, please call the office and leave your name. This is not a paid time event, and if there are more than 4 names entered then there will be a draw.

Group of 11

As you are aware the Group of 11 Nursing homes filed a judicial appeal in 2022 on the interest arbitration award from Chris White. Since the judicial appeal was filed another arbitration by John Stout was released involving over 90 nursing homes. The chairs of the Group of 11 were contacted to see if there would be interest in approaching council for employers to see if we were able to obtain the wage improvements within the Stout award that we would abandon the judicial review. The employer did agree so long as we were able to ratify a third year of the agreement. We are pleased to announce that it did ratify at all 11 homes.

Family Education Program

Reminder the deadline to register for the family education program is Friday, April 21st, 2023. See flyer posted in your workplace.

Unifor Local 302 Scholarships

Reminder Unifor Local 302 scholarship applications are available upon request. Please call the Local.

In Solidarity,

Kevin Phillips
President
Unifor Local 302