Unifor Local 302 President’s Report- September 25, 2023

PRESIDENTS REPORT
September 25, 2023

This summer was a busy one for Local 302, with the Pride Parade, Canadian Council, Family Fun Day, Wage reopener under Bill 124, several bargaining dates, the Bob White Classic along with office renovations and setting and booking educationals.

Pride Parade

London Pride was the largest ever this year with over a hundred floats. We participated in the parade along with several of the London Area Locals (27, 88, 636, 1859). Our float theme was Drag Queen Story Time, garden themed complete with a Drag Queen on a throne. We were joined by the first Electric Vehicle off of the assembly line from the Cami plant in Ingersoll. Members along with their families were in attendance, as well as several National staff, including Luis Domingues, London Area Director and Len Poirier, National Secretary-Treasurer, and of course the London Pride community showed up in thousands lining the streets.

Canadian Council

Canadian Council was held in Halifax this year from Aug 18-20 and marked the 10th Anniversary of Unifor. Events included the Health Care Council election. For President of the council, we saw Kari Jefford, Local 229 successful in being re-elected. Mary Rymal, Local 302 became the Financial Secretary replacing Lisa Tucker who stepped down after becoming a National Representative. We want to thank Lisa for her years of service in this role. Next was Unifor's Collective Bargaining Program 'Bargaining Workers Power'. These were the results from the meetings that were held from February to June in 45 Regions across the Country with over 1700 members. The program was delivered to give bargaining committee directives and expectations of items that must be negotiated and creative ideas on how to include a changing economy into collective agreements.

During Council we held an election for the position of Ontario regional Director. The position, which was held by Naureen Rizvi, who has left to pursue new adventures had three candidates run. Samia Hashi was the successful candidate, and we congratulate her in her new role.

Bob White Classic Golf Tournament

The 16th annual Bob White Classic was held in Woodstock at the Craigowan Golf Club. The day was well attended and is for a great cause. To date the event has raised over $1.5 million dollars which goes to supporting Anova London, Domestic Abuse Services Oxford and Ingamo Homes. Thank you to Mary Rymal and Michelle Flewin for volunteering and thank you to Local 636 for organizing the event this year.

Family Fun Day

Saturday September 2nd was Family Fun Day and we saw the largest attendance since we started the event with over 790 registering. It was a busy day, cooking hamburgers and hotdogs along with popcorn, chips and all the fixings. This year we rented a refrigeration truck which made all the difference in how smoothly the day went. Our members enjoyed the day at East Park as all of the feedback has been positive.

Bill 124 Wage Reopener

The wage reopener which saw workers held to 1% wages over three years are almost complete. In the Hospital sector St. Mary's, Alexander, Norfolk and Tillsonburg have all signed with Hanover still to be signed and McCormick Home and McCormick Recreation Specialists just getting started to set dates.

Take Back the Night

Take Back the Night is the oldest worldwide movement to stand against sexual violence and stands with people of all walks of life.
This year's event in London will take place September 29th at 7:30pm at Victoria Park in London, at the corner of Richmond and Central. If you would like to attend, we will be meeting at the Local at 6:45pm and carpooling over to the park.

Health Care Conference

The Health Care Conference is being held from Oct 11th — 1 4th in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The local will be sending 20 Delegates to the event which I'm sure will be both fun and informative.

Renovations

The office renovations are almost complete. It’s been a lengthy process which saw Mary and I share a small office without windows for over 7 weeks and everyone else in the office displaced for a period of time.

Educationals

Local 302 has partnered with Locals 27, 88, 636 & 1859 to run area schools at our locals to best serve the London Area Locals.

Human Rights                                                           October 16-20 at Local 302
Collective Bargaining                                                October 24-26 at Local 27
Women's Activist                                                     November 7-9 at Local 302
Grievance Handling and Workplace Leadership       November 21-22 at Local 302
Health & Safety: Beyond the Basics                          December 12-14 at Local 302

Please call the office for more information if interested.

Bargaining Updates

Ongoing: Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region, Medaive Elgin EMS, Norfolk General Hospital

Ratified: YW-Kitchener Waterloo, Landmark Village