Unifor Local 302 President’s Report-June 26, 2023
Unifor Local 302
Presidents Report
General Membership Meeting
June 26, 2023
World Refugee Day
On June 20, we observe World Refugee Day, a crucial opportunity to raise awareness and advocate for the rights and well-being of refugees worldwide.
According to the UNHCR, the number of refugees surpassed 35 million by the end of 2022, with an additional 108.4 million people forcibly displaced from their home countries due to various reasons such as war, conflict, famine, human rights abuses, and climate change. Shockingly, the global displacement crisis now exceeds the scale seen during World War ll.
Today, marginalized and equity-seeking groups face increasing hostility in their pursuit of peaceful and secure lives.
Examples of such hostility are evident in countries like Uganda, where the government recently enacted one of the world's strictest anti-2SLGBTQ+ laws, imposing the death penalty for same-sex relationships. Furthermore, violent conflicts in Sudan, the Tigray region in Ethiopia, and various parts of Latin America continue to displace residents, forcing them to seek refuge from chronic poverty and political instability.
Unfortunately, the influx of refugees has prompted numerous countries, particularly wealthier and more developed nations, to adopt an alarming approach of criminalizing and excluding migrants and refugees. These countries often prioritize their own political interests, erecting physical and legislative barriers that prevent people in need from finding safety. For instance, in the U.K. and the U.S., strict laws have been implemented to effectively ban asylum seekers from entering these countries.
Governments justify these policies by perpetuating the myth of scarcity, claiming pressure on strained healthcare systems and social welfare programs. Ironically, these same governments consistently cut funding for critical health and public services, neglect investment in affordable housing, restrict access to income security and social assistance programs, and weaken labour laws to favour corporations, leaving workers in a constant state of economic insecurity.
While rich nations tighten their borders, countries with fewer resources are burdened with the responsibility of providing assistance to those in need. Shamefully, low to middle-income countries currently host approximately 83% of the world's refugees.
Regrettably, Canada is not exempt from this global trend
Recently, Canada and the U.S. expanded the Safe Third Country Agreement as a means to discourage asylum seekers from "unlawfully" entering Canada. However, this agreement has been deemed unconstitutional and criticized by advocates, as it pushes migrants and refugees towards riskier and more dangerous means of seeking refuge.
Unifor has expressed deep concern regarding the deaths of eight migrants, including two children, who tragically drowned in the St. Lawrence River last March while attempting to cross into the U.S. We recently submitted a letter to the Federal Public Safety Minister, underscoring these concerns.
Unifor's commitment to solidarity knows no borders, and we steadfastly support refugees and asylum seekers in their pursuit of safety and a better life.
We believe in this cause not only because it is the right thing to do but also because refugees are workers, including current and future members of Unifor.
National indigenous Peoples’ Day
June 21 was National Indigenous Peoples' Day, a day to celebrate in the enduring culture and achievements of Indigenous peoples.
Earlier this month Unifor partnered with the Aboriginal Peoples' Television Network to sponsor Indigenous Day Live on June 17, a cultural and artistic show with the theme "Celebrating Our Youth." The event celebrated Indigenous youth and their important contribution to communities and their role as future leaders.
Unifor is guided by the work undertaken by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, The Commission J s 94 calls to action are a historic starting point for the federal government to begin to redress and recognize the harm done by colonialism and take meaningful action.
Beyond our campaign for government action, Unifor also takes seriously the responsibility we have to participate in meaningful acts of reconciliation.
This month, Unifor members are encouraged to reflect on their territorial acknowledgement practices and relationships with local Indigenous communities and organizations.
Many unions, including ours, have had a long tradition of stating a territorial acknowledgement at the start of events, demonstrations, and meetings where members are gathered.
Territorial acknowledgements are an act of respect for the history of the land and the peoples who occupied it before you who, more often than not, were displaced with acts of violence. It is thanks, gratitude, and an acknowledgment of the relationship between First Peoples and the fand that continues to the present day. It is a demonstration that you have thought about what colonialism means for your union's work and the very event space in which you're located.
Territorial acknowledgements are not mere recitals of a dated script for which you had no part in preparing. Feel free to take some ownership over the text and use your own words. Territorial acknowledgements are not meaningful if they are done in isolation of other work for reconciliation. With them you've done a minimal amount of work to recognize historical injustice, but they must be matched with action.
For many local unions, the territorial acknowledgement is already a regular practice. For others, this will be a new project that will require outreach, education, and new operating policy for events.
Starting new practices can be challenging, but that's the point. Small acts of reconciliation take time and work. It will also take work to seek out next steps
Tears To Hope Relay
As announced earlier in March 2023, Unifor has partnered with the Tears to Hope Society help expand the scope of their relay race to communities across Canada.
The Tears to Hope relay race started as a way for supporters to run or walk a segment of British Columbia's Highway 16 (the Highway of Tears) to keep the memory of missing loved ones alive while raising awareness and funding for community-based efforts to assist the families.
On Saturday, June 17, 2023, approximately 35 people from Local 302 and other London area Locals and National Office, walked a 5km route at Springbank Park in London and raised nearly $10,000.00 for Tears To Hope.
Windsor Salt Strike
The employer, U.S-based private holding firm Stone Canyon Industries, continues to play games at the bargaining table, making a negotiated settlement very difficult.
As a result of concessionary bargaining by the employer, these Unifor members have been forced to hold the picket line for more than 100 days and counting. A strike of this duration has been very difficult on our members.
It is critical to show members on strike, their employer, and elected officials, that Unifor members across the country are watching this dispute closely and that our members have our unwavering support.
A rally is being held on Thursday, June 29 in Windsor. Unifor Local 302 will be in attendance. Thank you to all who were able to attend
Anti Privatization Coalition
The coalition of four Unions and an Association (ONA, OPSEU, SEIU, CUPE, and
UNIFOR), held rallies at St Joseph Hospital Hamilton, June 12,2023, and St Mary's Hospital Kitchener June 26, 2023, in protest of Doug Ford's legislation to privatize public health care services. Naureen Rizvi, Ontario Regional Director for Unifor spoke at both events that were well attended.
Queen's Park Rally
A conference call was held on June 20, 2023, with almost 700 attendees to discuss next steps in the fight back to privatize Ontario's public health care system. The Ontario Health Coalition would like to put 10,000 people on the lawn of Queen's Park on Monday September 25,2023 to protest Doug Ford's plan to privatize our Public Health Care system.
Local 302 has committed to the cause and we will be sending a bus with approximately 50 members to this event.
Scholarships
The successful applicants of the Local 302 scholarships this year are:
Anne Richards, Extendicare Port Stanley.
Alysha Durdle, Dearness Home.
Derick George Panackal, Richmond Woods Retirement Home.
Reminders
Friday July 14,2023, is the deadline to register for Family Fun Day at East Park in London. You must register with the Local at 519 951-0302.
Sunday July 9, 2023, is Member Appreciation Day at Canada's Wonderland. For more information go to unifor.org.
In Solidarity,
Kevin Phillips
President
Unifor Local 302