Unifor Local 302 Vice President’s Report- September 28, 2026
Unifor Local 302
Vice Presidents Report
General Membership Meeting
September 28th, 2026
This summer was a busy one for Local 302, with the Pride Parade, Canadian Council, Family Fun Day, several bargaining dates, the Bob White Classic along with setting and booking educationals and our upcoming Executive Conference.
Family Fun Day
Saturday July 11th, 2026 Local 302 held its annual family fun day at East Park Golf Gardens. Nearly 1000 members enjoyed the activities at the park and the barbeque. We were pleased to have the face painters join us again and thank you to all the volunteers that make this day a great success. Plans are already in place for next years event.
Pride Parade
Sunday July 19th,2026 Unifor took to the streets of London to join in the 30th annual London Pride Parade. There were national staff, and members from several Unifor Locals from around the region. ‘Love Unites Us All’ was our theme for our float. It was another strong showing from Unifor at this annual event. A big thank you to St. Thomas Rent All for their donation of the generator for the float for that day.
Scholarships
The Local awarded the 5 Scholarships to Lauren S, Marshall N, Brittany B, Luca R, and Sumit P. Congratulations to you and we wish you and everyone else who applied all the very best in the upcoming school year. Thank you to all who applied this year, I believe that it was our most difficult year to decide on. Keep up the good work.
With that welcome back to school for everyone. I hope that everyone has a successful year and for everyone to please keep your eyes out for the increased traffic on the streets and sidewalks, we want everyone to make it to and from school safely.
Emancipation Day
Emancipation Day, observed annually on August 1st, is a time to recognize the abolition of slavery and reflect on Canada's history, including the lasting impacts of slavery and segregation on Black Canadians. The day honours the strength, resilience, and contributions of Black communities while encouraging education, reflection, and action to address ongoing inequities and anti-Black racism. Officially recognized by Canada in 2021, Emancipation Day commemorates the date in 1834 when the Slavery Abolition Act came into effect across British colonies, paving the way for the freedom of enslaved people.
Gordie Michie – Member Update
Gordie Michie is a member living in St. Thomas who the Local gave a sponsorship to participate in the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in Alberta. We are proud to announce that Gordie won 1 bronze, 1 silver and 3 gold medals! Congratulations Gordie.
Bob White Classic Golf Tournament
The 19th annual Bob White Classic was held in Woodstock at the Craigowan Golf Club. The day was well attended and it 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 Local 636 for organizing the event this year.
Labour Day
Labour Day in Ontario is a time to recognize the contributions workers make to their workplaces and communities. For unionized employees, it is especially meaningful because it honours the labour movement and the workers who organized for fair wages, safer working conditions, reasonable hours, benefits, and the right to negotiate together. The day is both a celebration of progress and a reminder that solidarity and collective action continue to protect workers’ rights.
Canadian Council
Unifor held its National Canadian Council Convention in Ottawa this year from
Aug 27th -30th . Council began with the Industry Council meetings where the members of the executive of each council were sworn in for their next 3 year term. I was acclaimed as the Financial Secretary of the Health Care Council. This year’s message was protecting Canadian jobs in particularly those that have been hardest hit by American tariffs. Aluminium, Pulp and Paper, Forestry and Automotive were the main sectors of discussion followed by a march to Parliament Hill. The message was clear that Canada must stand strong against the United States and not sign any kind of deal that is not good for Canadians. A National Bargaining program was released highlighting Job Security, Wages and Income Security, Precarious Work, Technology and Artificial Intelligence, Health, Safety and Environment, Union Building and Representation, Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion, Benefits, Pensions and Retirement Security.
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. The movement encourages individuals and organizations to challenge harmful attitudes, promote equality, and work together so that everyone can feel secure when travelling through their neighbourhoods at any time of day or night.
This year's event in London took place September 24th at 6:30 pm at Victoria Park in London. Pictures will be up on our website.
Grievance Handling and Workplace Leadership
The Local hosted a grievance handling and workplace leadership course this month. It is exciting to see new members to your workplace committees. If you were not able to attend this one there will be another one in December. Please call the office for more details.
Unifor Local 302 Bylaw update
The Local submitted the amendments to the Unifor Constitutional Committee. We can confirm that they have received them, and they informed the Local that they are in their queue to be reviewed. Their turn around time is approximately 6 months. We will keep you updated when we have received any further information from them.
Local 302 Executive Conference Council
Local 302 Executive Council Conference is tomorrow, September 29th at the London Portuguese Club. We are excited to have so many members together learning and networking.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Orange Shirt Day)
September 30th marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It is a day to honour the survivors of residential schools and to remember the children who never came home.
It matters who those survivors are. Every survivor we honour on September 30th was a child when they were taken. Phyllis (Jack) Webstad was six years old in 1973 when she arrived at St. Joseph Mission near Williams Lake, B.C. She was wearing a bright orange shirt her grandmother had bought her. Staff took it away and she never wore it again. Her story gave this day its name.
Members are strongly encouraged to use September 30th as intended: an opportunity to participate in events in your community to take action for reconciliation. If there are survivors or intergenerational survivors in your workplace or your local, follow their lead on how the day is marked
Unifor Women’s Conference
The annual Women’s Conference is October 4th -7th at Port Elgin and Local 302 has 14 delegates registered. We have been told that this will be the largest Women’s conference to date and I am sure that it will be the best so far. Enjoy the conference everyone.
Health Care Conference
Unifor’s Health Care and Social Services conference is being held in Nova Scotia this year at the White Pines Family Resort from October 16th -18th. Local 302 has 20 delegates attending this conference. We hope everyone will have a good time and we look forward to hearing the delegate reports at Octobers General Membership meeting.
WeRPN Conference
The WeRPN Annual General Meeting and Conference will be held on October 29th and 30th, 2026 in Toronto. Unifor will be participating in the conference and will have a booth onsite. Local 302 is sending 3 delegates to the conference. We look forward to hearing your delegate reports at Octobers General Membership meeting.
MMIW2S – Red Dress Day
In October , we raise awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people and honour those who are missing or have been lost. Wearing red is one way to show support for families, survivors, and Indigenous communities while standing for safety, healing, and justice. The delegates at the Women’s Conference will be participating in a march in Port Elgin on the 6th.
2026 Municipal Election
This October 26th, 2026, is the Municipal Elections across Ontario. Each Municipality also has early voting opportunities. Voting in a municipal election is important because local governments make decisions that directly affect our daily lives, including public transit, roads, parks, emergency services, housing, and property taxes. By casting a ballot, residents have a say in choosing leaders who will represent their priorities and make responsible decisions for the community. Municipal elections can be decided by a small number of votes, so every vote can make a meaningful difference. Participating also strengthens democracy, holds elected officials accountable, and helps shape a community that reflects the needs and values of the people who live there.
Please ensure that you get out to vote for those that will represent you at the municipal level.
Bargaining Updates:
Ratified: YW-KW, Landmark Village, Merrymount Children’s Centre
Upcoming: AgeCare London, AgeCare Parkhill, Vision Registered Nurses, Vision Retirement Home, Waterloo Catholic District School Board, Avon Maitland District School Board, Extendicare London, Extendicare Elmwood, Extendicare McGarrell, Southbridge London, Southbridge London East, Southbridge Port Dover, Chelsey Park Service, Chelsey Park Retirement, Chelsey Park RPN, Caressant Care Bonnie Place, Caressant Care Courtland, The Village of Glendale Crossing Long Term Care, The Village of Glendale Crossing Retirement Home, Strathmere Lodge.
Ongoing: Richmond Woods, Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region, Babcock Community Care Centre, Cedarwood Village, Craigholme, PeopleCare Delhi, Earls Court Village, Kensington Village, Meadow Park, Middlesex Terrace, Country Terrace, Trillium Villa, Maple Manor, Extendicare Port Stanley, Waterloo Region Health Network (formally St. Mary’s Hospital),
Arbitration: Seasons Strathroy
Tentative: Longworth Retirement
On behalf of myself, and the entire Executive, we would like to wish those who celebrate a Happy Thanksgiving.
In Solidarity,
Mary Rymal
Vice President
Unifor Local 302