Unifor Local 302 President’s Report - October 24, 2022
Around the world women are protesting the murder of Mahsa Amini in Iran. Mahsa was visiting with her family in Tehran when she was “arrested” by the morality police for wearing her hijab inappropriately. In Iran, women regardless of their faith are required to cover their hair, and the morality police bans them from wearing coats above the knee, tight trousers, bright colours or torn jeans. Mahsa and her family were forced into a van where they were beat until they reached the station. She was struck in the head with a baton and lost consciousness. Eventually she was taken to a hospital where she remained in a coma until she died from her injuries 3 days later. As a Union we stand with the women or Iran in their struggle for gender rights and equality. As Lana Payne said, “we must see justice done for Mahsa Amini and the people of Iran.”
On September 30 we wore orange shirts across this country to recognize the horrific abuse that occurred at residential schools, honour the survivors and work for reconciliation. It was amazing to see all the pictures of everyone in their orange shirts, however it is up to each and every one of us to advocate for reconciliation every day, not just on September 30.
We would like to congratulate the members at St. Mary’s Hospital on the ratification of their current collective agreement. This was our final hospital to ratify under Bill 124 that sees public sector worker’s wages capped to 1 percent total compensation for a 3-year moderation period. Our members that fall under this bill clearly understood the position our bargaining committees were in and stood behind them. We are hopeful that the charter challenge will be in our favour and we will be able to achieve the compensation you are entitled to. Until then we must continue to ensure that our members are receiving equal pay for equal work through the pay equity process.
Chelsey Park and Southbridge London made historic gains at the bargaining table. We ratified a three-year agreement that sees wages increase by 3% in years two and three! The for-profit Long-term Care sector has not seen this type of increase for close to twenty years. Congratulations to the membership and bargaining committee.
Local 302 attended the 6th annual Person’s Day Gala at Local 88 on October 22. Proceeds from this evening go to support Ingamo Homes (Second Stage Transitional Housing) and Women’s Employment Resource Center. Congratulations to the Local on this successful evening.
Municipal elections impact some of the most important things in our communities, public services, income support and transit. Hopefully everyone took the opportunity to vote for a progressive candidate in their area either at an advance poll or today. Good luck to all the Unifor members that are candidates in their municipalities.
The London Abused Women’s Centre will once again be turning our community purple for the month of November to “Shine the Light” on men’s violence against women and girls. On November 1 the Tree of Hope will be lit in Victoria Park (London) at 5:30 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend this event. To show your support to women and girls affected by men’s violence on November 15 you can wear purple. Please post your pictures on social media using the hashtag #ShineTheLight and #uniforlocal302. If you don’t have a purple shirt please contact Mary Rymal at the Local we do have a few shirts available.
Bargaining News
Congratulations to the bargaining committee at Dearness Home for ratifying their collective agreement.
Upcoming negotiations
Caressant Care Courtland, Caressant Care Bonnie Place, Longworth Retirement Residence, Pinehaven Nursing Home, Vision Retirement, Chelsey Park Service and RPN.
Ongoing negotiations
Chartwell London, Chartwell Parkhill, Avon Maitland School Board and Waterloo Catholic School Board
Arbitration
Currently we don’t have anything scheduled.