Canada’s unions support C-253, legislation to protect workers in the event of company insolvency
May 13, 2021
Canada’s unions are pleased to see the Members of Parliament taking action to put workers and retirees first in the event of an organization’s insolvency filing by moving Bill C-253, introduced by MP Marilène Gill, forward to study by parliamentary committee. “We urge all parties to adopt this legislation,” said Hassan Yussuff, President of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC). “Workers…
Canada’s unions mark World Day for Decent Work with a call for a robust economic recovery plan
October 7, 2020
COVID-19 has exposed flaws in social protections in Canada and around the world. The effects of this pandemic on health, employment, income, gender and racial equity are all the more catastrophic because of pre-existing gaps in our social safety net. Before the pandemic, ever-increasing globalization meant many workers were employed in precarious, low-wage work with few, if any, benefits. Now…
Canada’s unions warn against growing threat of privatization
June 25, 2020
OTTAWA – Canada’s unions are warning against the growing threat of privatization in a new report released today. “As we face the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of the public sector has never been more evident,” said Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) President Hassan Yussuff. “Public sector workers have kept our communities running day-to-day, ensuring that Canadians can rely on the services…
It’s time for publicly funded health care to include seniors’ care
June 4, 2020
By Hassan Yussuff as published in National Newswatch The images, the stories, the experiences of our seniors during this pandemic are enough to bring a grown man to tears. In fact, it has. Even Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford has, at times, become emotional while talking about the conditions in the province’s long-term care facilities. It’s a dire situation right across…
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…
Protect the women who make our clothes: Canada’s unions and civil society organizations call for action
April 24, 2020
Seven years after the tragic Rana Plaza building collapse, Bangladesh garment sector workers now confront even more risk and vulnerability in the fight against COVID-19. Canada’s unions and civil society organizations are calling for immediate relief for workers and protection of rights in global supply chains. The coalition says that concerns for workers cannot stop at Canada’s borders and the…
Canada’s unions call on banks to reduce credit card interest rates for all
April 8, 2020
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 deliver clear priorities for federal airline relief package
March 28, 2020
OTTAWA – Today, Canada’s airline unions met with the Minister of Finance and Minister of Transportation to share the concerns of aviation industry workers and to provide solutions to ensure the sector’s viability. Chief among their priorities is to ensure that any federal financial aid package responds to the needs of workers still on the job as well as the…
Canada’s unions join Unifor’s call to end 60-day lockout
February 3, 2020
OTTAWA – After a 60-day lockout of refinery workers in Regina that has included picket lines and arrests, Canada’s unions are calling for this lockout to end. The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) and Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) reaffirmed their commitment and solidarity with Unifor Local 594 workers who are ready to bargain a fair deal. “The union has demonstrated…
Canada’s unions stand in solidarity with Co-op refinery workers
January 21, 2020
OTTAWA – Amid escalating tensions on the picket lines in Regina, including recent arrests, Canada’s unions are joining the growing chorus of support coming in from across the country. The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) and Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) reaffirm their commitment to stand in solidarity with the workers. “Canada’s unions know the sacrifice it takes for workers to…