A call for collective action

A call for collective action

By Hassan Yussuff as published in National Newswatch. We are in the midst of a global pandemic. The federal government is introducing new programs almost daily to support millions of Canadians who have been affected by this crisis. Public service employees are doing amazing work getting that support to the people who need it. Meanwhile, the calls for austerity are…

Canada’s unions applaud sick leave announcement

OTTAWA – The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) welcomes today’s announcement by the Prime Minister granting workers across the country 10 days paid sick leave. “Today’s announcement means that frontline workers will no longer be forced to choose between their job and their health,” said CLC President Hassan Yussuff. “Right now, it is incredibly important that any worker who has been…

Labour’s vision for economic recovery

Canada is in the midst of the worst unemployment crisis since the Great Depression. Millions of workers have lost their jobs and now face an uncertain future. Canada must build a future that improves working conditions and builds our collective resiliency. Canada’s unions are proposing a set of ambitious initiatives in order to achieve a strong, sustainable and inclusive economic…

Canada’s Unions call for action against homophobia, transphobia and biphobia during COVID-19 crisis

On this International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT), Canada’s unions are calling on the federal government to support 2SLGBTQI organizations struggling with the impacts of the current crisis. 2SLGBTQI peoples are more vulnerable to discrimination, violence, harassment and stigma on the basis of sexuality and gender identity right now. The lockdown makes it more difficult to find support…

Canada’s unions call for mental health support for workers

Canada’s unions are marking Mental Health Week with a recognition of the considerable impacts of COVID-19 on the mental health of workers and a call for governments and workplaces to provide access to support and take steps to prevent mental injuries at work. The impact of COVID-19 on workplaces, communities and families across Canada is unprecedented. Many workers have lost…

Canada’s unions mark National Day of Mourning in solidarity with frontline workers

Canada’s unions are asking Canadians to observe this year’s National Day of Mourning in remembrance of workers who have lost their lives as a result of incidents in the workplace. This year, that includes a number of frontline workers who have lost their lives due to COVID-19. “As communities mourn workers we’ve lost this year, including many in recent weeks,…

Every worker deserves paid sick leave

April 28 is the National Day of Mourning. It is a day to remember those who lost their lives or who have been hurt on the job. In the midst of a global pandemic, essential workers are now facing heightened risk. The very least we can ask is that every worker has access to paid sick leave. No one should…

Historic job losses represent enormous challenge

Canada’s unions say further efforts are required to support unemployed workers and to preserve existing jobs as the number of Canadians who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic continues to rise. According to Statistics Canada, employment fell by one million in March and the ranks of the unemployed grew by 413,000. Canada’s unemployment rate rose by 2.2 percentage…

Canada’s unions call on banks to reduce credit card interest rates for all

OTTAWA – Canada’s unions are calling on the country’s financial institutions to do more to mitigate the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic by further reducing credit card interest rates and applying new rates to anyone with a credit card. “This pandemic has led to major disruption in the lives of many Canadians and is taking a financial toll. Many…

Canada’s unions support nurses, midwives and all health care workers

For World Health Day 2020, the World Health Organization is celebrating the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife. Right now, nurses and midwives are working shoulder to shoulder with all health care workers at ground zero of the largest pandemic in modern history. Health care workers are working overtime, playing a critical role for their patients across the country…