Unifor Local 302 President’s Report - June 27, 2022
The provincial election was disappointing to say the least. The province recorded its lowest ever voter turn out in history with only 43.5% of eligible voters casting their ballot. We saw the Conservatives elected to another four-year majority government. As a Local we must continue to lobby this government to ensure that services aren’t cut and that workers in tis province receive the respect they deserve and that the destructive bills that they have in place are repealed. The charter challenge for Bill 124 will have its first day of hearing in September.
We are thrilled that Teresa Armstrong (London Fanshawe), Terence Kernaghan (London North Centre) and Peggy Sattler (London West) all won their ridings. We would like to thank Michelle Smith for all the hard work she put in to ensure all three of our NDP candidates maintained their seats.
Arbitrator Chris White came down with his decision for the Group of 11 which is not even close to where it should have been when you consider inflation, recruitment and retention issues and the ongoing pandemic. We are angry and devastated that Arbitrator White did not consider all the factors that were available to him when coming to his decision and will be seeking a judicial review of the award.
This will be our final reminder that the 15th annual Bob White Charity Classic will take place on Monday August 29, 2022, at the Pine Knot Golf and Country Club in Dorchester. There will be a shotgun start at 10:30 am sharp and the Local has four available spots for golfers. If you are interested in participating, please contact the Local to have your name added to our list of golfers. If we have more than four people sign up, we will draw names to see who will be participating in the tournament. There is no lost time being offered for this event.
We gathered in Port Elgin June 10-12 for our first healthcare conference since the pandemic. Next year the conference will be back in Nova Scotia. If you attended this conference, you should have received an evaluation form. We ask that you take the time to fill it out this is the only way we can improve our conferences. If you did not receive an evaluation form, we can provide one to you.
After a few months of strained labour relations, the membership at Chartwell Parkhill held a successful information picket on Father’s Day in Parkhill.
The Table Officers have reviewed all the scholarship applications and we would like to thank everyone who took the time to apply. Our 2022 scholarship winners are:
Aliyah Carruthers - Extendicare Port Stanley
Brooklyn Wilton - Marshall Gowland Manor
Brianna Hakkers - Avon Maitland School Board
Sahil Sherzad - Earls Court/Chartwell London
Trent Santarin - Trillium Villa
Women watched in horror around the world as the landmark decision of Roe v Wade was overturned by the United States Supreme Court. The decision reverses nearly 50 years of precedent in the United States. Ending federal Constitutional protections of women and threatening their access to reproductive care. The issue of abortion has been the subject of much political debate in Canada more specifically within the Conservative Party. We must ensure women and girls in Canada continue to have the right to the choice of an abortion and that right is not undermined in any way.
The Local will be attempting to recruit a new fully trained WSIB advocate. If you are fully trained and interested in being considered for this vacancy, please reach out to have your name added to the list of candidates.
On July 8 our Community Table will be back providing non-perishable food for anyone in our community who is suffering from food insecurity. Donations for this table are now being accepted.
Bargaining News
We have a tentative agreement with Tillsonburg Hospital and Vision RNs.
Upcoming negotiations
Avon Maitland School Board, Waterloo Catholic School Board, Extendicare, Richmond Woods Retirement Home, Holiday Inn and Chartwell Parkhill
Ongoing negotiations
St. Mary’s Hospital, Seasons, Chartwell London, Alexandra Hospital, Dearness Home and Cedarcrossing
Arbitration
Chelsey Park Nursing Home