Unifor local 302 Vice President’s Report- April 28, 2025
April 28, 2025
Unifor Local 302
Vice Presidents Report
General Membership Meeting
International Day of Mourning
On April 28, Canadians observe the National Day of Mourning to honour workers who have lost their lives, been injured, or become ill due to workplace incidents. This day is a reminder of the importance of prioritizing health and safety in every workplace. It encourages reflection, remembrance, and engagement on our shared commitment to preventing future tragedies by creating safer working environments for all.
More than 1,000 workers die each year in Canada due to workplace injuries and occupational diseases. However, the true toll is far greater. Many incidents go unreported or are not acknowledged by compensation systems, leaving countless cases of work-related harm invisible and unaddressed.
Prevention starts in the workplace with empowered joint health and safety committees and worker representatives, committed employers, and competent supervisors.
Please take a moment today and every day to remember those who lost their lives as a result of a workplace illness or injury.
Federal Election
Today is election day in Canada. We hope that everyone has taken the opportunity to exercise their rights to go and vote. Early polling reports show 7.3 million votes were cast, a 25% increase from the 2021 election. Members are already having their votes heard at the polls and regardless of the outcome we will still need to keep the pressure on the government to protect our rights as workers and hold the government accountable for their decisions and actions.
Unifor has been out speaking to its members throughout the country with the Uniforvotes campaign. The campaign aimed to inform and discuss with the members about issues that are at the forefront of workers’ rights. A big thank you to Annet Loro for being a part of the member-to-member campaign for the last few weeks working tirelessly to reach out to as many members as possible.
Rally
Members from across Ontario gathered in Windsor on Saturday April 26th to attend a rally to Protect Canadian Jobs.
Unifor National President Lana Payne said “Trump’s trade war is a direct attack on Canadian workers, and today we are sending a clear message – we won’t back down,” “We will fight for our jobs, our industries, our future and our country. This rally is proof that we are united, we are strong, and we are ready.” Unifor is pushing for immediate, bold action to strengthen economic resilience and safeguard Canadian sovereignty. A video of the rally is available to watch on unifor.org
Red Dress Day
In Canada May 5th is the National Day of Awareness for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirited Individuals (MMIWG2S), also known as Red Dress Day. It is a time to express our deep solidarity with their families and continue the calls to action.
As a social union, Unifor recognizes that the fight for social justice for everyone goes beyond the bargaining table and extends to community action. We partner with the Tears to Hope Society to participate in their annual relay run to raise awareness about the women and girls who have gone missing along Northern B.C.’s “Highway of Tears”. Unifor is also a key supporter and sponsor of the Winnipeg community-driven campaign to ‘Drag the Red’ river in Manitoba for the remains of our stolen sisters. Volunteers, in boats, scan the Red River in hopes of finding closure for the devastated families.
May Days
There are many important days of reflection and honour in the month of May. Throughout the month of May we will be commemorating Mother’s Day, Nursing week, Paramedic Services week, International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, Accessibility week, Personal Support Worker Day, and Victoria Day amongst many others.
We will be starting the month with May Day, a day to commemorate the struggles and achievements of workers and the labour movement. In Canada we also celebrate Labour Day in September while May Day is celebrated worldwide, there cannot be enough recognition for the sacrifices and gains that Canadians have achieved alongside their unions.
Notices:
Notice that at June’s General Membership Meeting we will be having nominations and elections for delegates for the upcoming Black, Indigenous, and Workers of Colour Conference taking place September 26th to 28th, 2025 as well as the Health Care Conference taking place October 3rd to 5th ,2025
Reminders:
Reminder that the Unifor Local 302 Scholarship Applications are now available. Local 302 members in good standing and their children are eligible to apply if they are enrolled in a full-time program at a university, college or technical institute for the 2025 fall/winter semester. Please contact the office at 519-951-0302 to have an application sent to you. Please ensure that all completed applications are received in the office by June 27th, 2025, the winners will be announced in July.
Unifor National Scholarship applications are now open. Please see unifor.org for more information on eligibility and the application process.
Reminder that registration for the 2025 Local 302 Family Fun Day at East Park Golf Gardens is now open. Registrations will be accepted until May 30th. Please see the flyer posted in the workplace for more information or call the office at 519-951-0302.
Included in the mailout will be the newest Columbia flyer, with shopping available from May 9th to June 1st, 2025
Bargaining News:
We have successfully ratified collective agreements at Chelsey Park Retirement, Chelsey Park Registered Practical Nurses. Congratulations to the membership on your new collective agreements.
Ongoing Negotiations
McCormick Home Long Term Care, McCormick Home Recreation Specialists, The Village of Glendale Crossing Long Term Care, The Village of Glendale Crossing Retirement, Cedar Crossing Retirement, Norfolk General Hospital, St. Mary’s, Hospital, Hanover Hospital, Extendicare Elmwood, Extendicare McGarrell, Extendicare Port Dover
Upcoming Negotiations
Richmond Woods Retirement, Dearness Home Long Term Care
In Solidarity,
Mary Rymal
Vice President
Unifor Local 302