Canada’s unions call for better protections against workplace violence and harassment
April 23, 2018
This National Day of Mourning, Canada’s unions are calling on the federal government to do more to address workplace violence and harassment. Every April 28, Canada’s unions join workers and their families to mourn those who have been injured or killed on the job. Workplace violence and harassment have also led to worker deaths, as well as significant mental and…
Help end bullying and harassment on the International Day of Pink
April 11, 2018
Canada’s unions have a long history of celebrating diversity and challenging discrimination, harassment and bullying. On April 11, the International Day of Pink, people are encouraged to wear pink in their school, workplace or community as a show of solidarity with survivors of homophobic and transphobic bullying. “Harassment and violence are serious barriers to equality, particularly for LGBTQ2SI workers, who…
The hogg’s hollow disaster killed five workers, galvanized a community, and changed workplace health and safety laws for the better.
March 17, 2018
On March 17, 1960 five Italian-born workers were killed while building a Toronto water main tunnel under the Don River. The deaths of these five immigrant workers shocked their community, mobilized unions and resulted in badly-needed changes to workplace health and safety laws. Working conditions on today’s construction sites and factory floors, in schools, office buildings, warehouses, restaurants – any…
Rideau canal workers riot in the streets to protest poor wages and working conditions
March 2, 2018
On March 2, 1829, hundreds of canal workers threw down their tools and took to the streets of the country’s future capital to protest low wages and brutal working conditions. In an era before workers had unions, the only means available for them to protest unfairness was to riot in the streets. Today, the rights to union membership, collective bargaining…
Unions applaud Canada’s international advocacy against asbestos
April 21, 2017
Canada’s unions applauded today’s announcement that the federal government will reverse its position by fully supporting the listing chrysotile asbestos among hazardous substances regulated under the Rotterdam Convention, “Unions campaigned long and hard for a ban on asbestos to make workplaces and public spaces safer for all Canadians, but also people around the world who were being exposed to asbestos,”…
The Canadian Labour Congress is celebrating today’s announcement that the federal government is banning the manufacture, import, export and use of asbestos. “We can all breathe easier,” said CLC president Hassan Yussuff. “This is good public health policy that will, without question, save lives for generations to come.” “Canada’s unions, along with survivors and health advocates, have been working hard…
Mesothelioma Awareness Day highlights the need for asbestos ban
September 26, 2016
September 26 is Mesothelioma Awareness Day in Canada. Asbestos – which causes mesothelioma – is the leading cause of work-related death in Canada, which is why Canadian unions are calling on the federal government to ban asbestos. “As a mechanic, I was exposed for more than 20 years to asbestos contained in brake pads. To this day Canada imports similar…
On this Day of Mourning, let’s make all Canadians safer
April 28, 2016
On Thursday, April 28th, the flag on Parliament Hill will fly at half-mast and people across the country will light candles, don ribbons and remember colleagues, friends and family who have been killed because of workplace-related hazards and incidents. We can’t bring back those who have died, but we are working hard to make workplaces safer today. That’s why this…
Rana Plaza: Canadian unions calling for safer work conditions
April 21, 2016
In February 2016 a Canadian trade union delegation visited Bangladesh. The delegation included representatives from the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), Unifor, and the United Steelworkers (USW). On this third anniversary of the Rana Plaza collapse, Canadian unions have issued the following joint statement: On April 24, 2013, the…
Canadian unions renew call for comprehensive ban on asbestos
April 20, 2016
OTTAWA – Canadian unions are renewing their call for a comprehensive ban on asbestos, announcing today they will highlight the issue at events across the country on April 28, the National Day of Mourning for workers killed, injured or made ill on the job. “Asbestos is the leading cause of work-related death in Canada, and with imports on the rise,…