CLC President encourages New Brunswick voters to choose a worker-centred recovery in federal election

CLC President encourages New Brunswick voters to choose a worker-centred recovery in federal election

FREDERICTON – Canadian Labour Congress President Bea Bruske called on workers to get involved in the federal election and make sure the voices of working people are heard loud and clear by the political parties. “Over the last year and a half, we have faced unprecedented upheaval as COVID-19 has wrought havoc on our communities,” Bruske told a crowd of…

Bruske welcomes NDP commitment to end profiteering off of seniors’ care

ST. JOHN’S – Canadian Labour Congress president Bea Bruske made the following statement today: “Decades of cuts and privatization in the long-term care sector have had tragic consequences during this crisis. “Early in the pandemic, long-term care homes accounted for four out of every five COVID-19 related deaths in Canada. In Ontario, the Commission into long-term care said for-profit companies…

Canadian workers to political leaders: it’s high time for paid sick leave

Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) President Bea Bruske welcomes the Liberal party’s election commitment to introduce 10 paid days of sick leave for workers falling under federal jurisdiction. Canada’s unions have been calling for paid sick leave from the earliest days of the pandemic. “Access to paid sick days reduces the spread of COVID and helps workers who keep our economy…

Hidden in Conservative platform: An attack on public pensions and EI

Conservatives would relegate gig workers to second-class citizens in Canada’s workforce OTTAWA – Hidden in Erin O’Toole’s Conservative policy platform is a kick in the teeth for the retirement and job security of gig workers. “Conservatives have a policy plan that includes a blatant attack on public pensions. They would permanently relegate gig workers to second-class status in Canada’s workforce,”…

Canada’s unions welcome certification of Uber class action

The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) welcomes today’s decision from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in favour of Uber drivers seeking legal recognition of their status as drivers. Uber drivers successfully petitioned the court to certify a class action on behalf of all Uber drivers and delivery workers who submit they are employees misclassified as independent contractors. “All workers should…

Open Letter to the Working People of Canada

Friends and Allies, A few short weeks ago, I was truly honoured to be elected to serve the working people of Canada as president of the Canadian Labour Congress. My fellow officers and I do not take this responsibility lightly – and it is not a job anyone can do alone. We are counting on you for your support ……

Canada’s unions call for strengthened rights and protections for domestic workers

Canada’s unions are marking International Domestic Workers Day by calling on the federal government to increase access to services and protections for domestic workers and to ratify the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Convention 189 on decent work for domestic workers. The COVID-19 pandemic has hit domestic workers hard – as of June 2020, the ILO estimated that approximately 72.3% of global domestic…

Head of Canada’s unions set to preside over his final Convention after navigating pandemic response

Nearly 4,000 delegates poised to elect new leadership OTTAWA – This week, union members from across the country are meeting online for the Canadian Labour Congress’ triennial convention to debate the labour movement’s priorities and to elect new leadership. The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) is Canada’s major umbrella organization of national unions, provincial federations of labour and local labour councils and…

Canada’s unions mourn with Indigenous communities, call for action

Canada’s unions stand with Indigenous communities across Canada as they mourn the lives of 215 children whose remains were discovered at a burial site at the Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia. “Our hearts are with residential school survivors, their families and all the children who never returned to the homes from which they were taken,” said Hassan Yussuff,…

Canada’s unions are calling for meaningful investments to support 2SLGBTQI communities

Canada’s unions are marking this year’s Pride season by calling on the federal government to invest in 2SLGBTQI community organizations to ensure that our most vulnerable communities are not left behind in pandemic recovery. “Pride is and has always been political, with deep roots in protest and resistance,” said Larry Rousseau, CLC Executive Vice-President. “As we enter the second Pride…