Canada’s trade policy is failing workers, families and entire communities. For too long, decisions have been made behind closed doors that cost Canadians their jobs, hollow out our industries, and weaken our public services.

The message to parliamentarians is a simple one: Labour has a clear plan and it must have a seat at the table.

WHAT: An economic strategy and future trade deals must centre workers

WHEN: Wednesday, February 4 at 1:15 PM ET

WHERE: Rogers Centre (55 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa), Trillium Room or via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82682528884 (Meeting ID: 826 8252 8884)

WHO:

• Bea Bruske, President, Canadian Labour Congress (CLC)
• Lana Payne, National President, Unifor
• Mark Hancock, National President, Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)
• Marty Warren, National Director, United Steelworkers (USW)
• Sharon DeSousa, President, Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC)
• David Chartrand, General Vice-President, Machinists Union (IAM Union)

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To arrange an interview, please contact: 
 CLC Media Relations 
 media@clcctc.ca 
 613-526-7426

The post Labour movement to Parliament: it’s time to put workers at the centre of Canada’s trade strategy appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

While Ottawa frames this deal as a way to diversify markets for Canadian farmers and exporters, it ultimately puts both groups at risk, offering uncertain, short-term relief for canola and select fisheries while endangering hundreds of thousands of good jobs across Canada’s manufacturing and industrial sectors. In the end, no sector truly wins, and workers in every industry are left more vulnerable.

At its core, this deal drastically reduces Canada’s surtax on Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs), creating a pathway for tens of thousands of inexpensive, state-subsidized vehicles to flood our auto market. As the largest private-sector union in Canada has warned, opening our market to Chinese EVs risks undermining our domestic auto industry, jeopardizing existing jobs, suppressing investment, and eroding the independent supply chain that sustains thousands of Canadian workers.

The Government’s willingness to trade hard-earned leverage on issues like auto tariffs and North American cooperation for temporary tariff reductions on canola and some seafood products is deeply troubling. The relief offered for agriculture and fisheries is time-limited, uncertain beyond this year, and insufficient compensation for exposing strategic industries to global competition fueled by massive state intervention.

This agreement raises serious questions about the broader strategy of the Canadian Government in its dealings with our most important economic partners—the United States and the European Union. And it ignores China’s ongoing human rights abuses including the documented use of forced labour and the suppression of workers’ rights.

Instead of charting a coherent, worker-first trade strategy, Ottawa appears to be trading one form of instability for another, responding to the chaos and unpredictability of Trump-style U.S. trade policy by opening the door to state-subsidized Chinese imports that threaten to hollow out Canada’s manufacturing base. Workers are being asked to absorb the risks on both sides: job insecurity driven by U.S. trade volatility on the one hand, and the long-term destruction of domestic manufacturing capacity on the other. Neither approach protects workers, communities, or Canada’s economic sovereignty, and both leave working people paying the price.

Canada cannot secure a prosperous future by sacrificing job security and industrial resilience for symbolic gains. A responsible trade strategy must defend Canadian workers, uphold fair trade principles, and coordinate with allies to ensure that global competition does not come at the expense of Canadian workers, industry and communities.

The post Statement – On the Canada–China Strategic Partnership appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

The labour leaders will outline the serious economic consequences these tariffs will have on workers in key sectors, including steel, aluminum, forestry, and manufacturing, and call on the federal government to provide immediate and robust support to affected workers, industries, and communities.

• What: Press Conference: Canada’s unions respond to U.S. tariffs and call for urgent federal support for workers
• When: Wednesday, April 2, at 1:00 p.m. ET
• Where: Rogers Centre Ottawa – Trillium Room (55 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Level Four) Or Via Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89501882931)
• Who: Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) and Magali Picard, President of la Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec (FTQ)

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To arrange an interview, please contact:
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613-526-7426

The post CLC and FTQ Presidents to Address Impact of U.S. Tariffs on Canadian Workers appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

ST. JOHN’S, NL–With yesterday’s election call sending voters to the polls on April 28, Canada’s unions are challenging all parties to put working families first. The Workers Together platform, Building a Better Future for Working People, was launched today in St. John’s, Newfoundland, by Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), alongside Jessica McCormick, President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour.

The platform provides a clear blueprint for the next government at a time when Canadians face mounting pressures from all sides.

“This isn’t just another election – it’s a crucial choice about who will support Canadian workers in these turbulent times,” said Bruske. “Workers and their families are caught between aggressive U.S. trade threats, corporate price gouging, and increasingly strained health care and public services. The next government must be ready to take bold action from day one.” 

As the voice of more than 3 million workers across Canada, Canada’s unions are calling for commitments from all political parties to:  

• Mitigate the trade tariff threat with a worker-first response to secure jobs, support workers, and strengthen communities    
• Ensure everyone has access to a family doctor or nurse practitioner and deliver fully universal public Pharmacare to ensure health care is accessible to all  
• Cap prices on food staples and essential goods to stop corporate price gouging and protect family budgets  
• Build one million truly affordable homes to bring down the cost of housing and tackle the housing crisis  
• Fix our broken tax system by restructuring corporate taxes to fund affordable housing, hospitals and the public services Canadians count on  

The CLC President emphasized that campaign promises alone aren’t enough – Canadians need leaders with proven experience of standing up for workers. 

“Pierre Poilievre has never worked on a factory floor, never run a business, never held corporate interests accountable. How can he negotiate with Trump when he has no experience of getting things done for Canadians?” said Bruske.  

“Workers in Newfoundland and Labrador, like workers across Canada, are facing an affordability crisis compounded by the effects of a trade war,” said McCormick. “Workers and their families need and deserve elected officials who will prioritize their needs – not the interests of the corporate elite.”
 
Canada’s unions are ready to work with political leaders who will deliver results for workers and their families. The solutions outlined in the Workers Together platform offer a clear path forward for any party serious about supporting working families.  

“The time for bold action isn’t just now – it’s overdue. We need a government that will crack down on corporate greed, rebuild public health care, and protect workers against Trump’s attacks. When working people thrive, our whole economy grows stronger. That’s what the Workers Together platform will deliver,” Bruske stressed. 

Click here to view the full platform.

The event was held with workers from both the private and public sectors, highlighting solidarity across various industries.

The Canadian Labour Congress is Canada’s largest labour organization, bringing together dozens of national and international unions, provincial and territorial federations of labour and community-based labour councils.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour unites and represents nearly 70,000 workers across Newfoundland and Labrador.

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To arrange an interview, please contact: 
CLC Media Relations 
media@clcctc.ca 
613-526-7426 

The post Canada’s unions launch bold platform as federal election called appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

Steel and aluminum are critical to Canada’s industrial base, supplying essential inputs to the automotive, energy, construction, transportation, and manufacturing sectors. In total, over 43,000 Canadian jobs are directly or indirectly at risk. When Trump imposed similar tariffs in 2018, Canadian steel exports to the U.S. plummeted by 38%, causing economic pain for workers and communities across the country. The aluminum industry, already facing global trade disruptions, now sees 9,500 direct Canadian jobs under threat.

“Donald Trump’s tariffs are a direct attack on Canadian workers and our economy. These tariffs don’t protect jobs—they kill them. Canada cannot sit idly by while our workers are treated as bargaining chips in Trump’s trade war. Our government must respond with strong, immediate action to defend Canadian industries and the workers who keep them running,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress.

Canada’s unions fought back in 2018, and we will fight back again. We call on the federal government to take immediate action to defend Canadian workers, through strong retaliatory measures, investments in affected industries, and direct support for impacted workers.

Trump’s trade war tactics put corporate profits ahead of workers’ livelihoods. Canada must not allow its economy to be held hostage by U.S. policies. We stand with steel and aluminum workers and demand a strong, swift response to protect jobs, industries, and communities.

The post Another Attack on Canadian Workers: Trump’s 25% Tariffs on Canadian Steel and Aluminum appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

Last night, the CLC Executive and key unions representing workers on the front lines of Trump’s trade war held an emergency meeting to discuss the urgent need for action.

Minister Steven MacKinnon and government officials were also in attendance.

“Canada must act decisively to protect workers and push back against these harmful policies. The U.S. needs to feel immediate consequences for targeting our economy and the livelihoods of Canadian workers.” – Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress

Labour leaders made it clear: workers should not pay the price for Trump’s reckless tariffs.

The CLC is calling for a full-scale response that includes:

• Cutting off U.S. access to critical Canadian resources—including electricity, lumber, critical minerals, oil, and gas—until the tariffs are lifted.
• Dollar-for-dollar retaliatory tariffs to ensure the U.S. administration faces the consequences of its actions.
• Immediate support for impacted workers, including financial assistance, job protection measures, and transition programs.
• A long-term strategy to reduce Canada’s reliance on U.S. trade, diversifying markets to protect workers from future foreign policy disruptions.

To arrange an interview with Bea Bruske, please email: media@clcctc.ca.

The post CLC PRESIDENT BEA BRUSKE AVAILABLE TO SPEAK FOLLOWING TRUDEAU-TRUMP MEETING ON TRADE WAR appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

Donald Trump’s reckless tariffs are an attack on Canadian workers and our economy. With 2.4 million jobs tied directly or indirectly to trade with the U.S., these tariffs put industries, families, and entire communities at risk. But Canada’s unions know how to respond, and have solutions. 

Canada must take decisive action to protect workers and push back against these harmful policies. The United States must feel immediate pain for their actions aimed at harming the Canadian economy and its workers. 

The Canadian Labour Congress is calling for a comprehensive response that includes: 

• Matching tariffs dollar-for-dollar to ensure the U.S. administration feels the consequences of its actions. 

• Cutting off U.S. access to critical Canadian resources—including electricity, lumber, critical minerals, oil, and gas—until the tariffs are lifted.  
• Immediate support for impacted workers through financial assistance, job protection measures, and transition programs. `  

• A long-term strategy to reduce Canada’s reliance on U.S. trade, expanding our economic partnerships and diversifying markets to protect workers from future foreign policy disruptions. 

The federal government has taken a first step by considering income supports for affected workers—an approach that helped stabilize our economy during the pandemic. But much more is needed to meet the scale of this threat. A suite of measures to preserve jobs and manufacturing capacity, protections for distressed borrowers, and robust income supports are needed to ensure that workers and our communities can weather this storm. 

For generations, Canada and the U.S. have built a relationship based on mutual respect, economic partnership, and cross-border solidarity. If this is how Trump treats his closest ally, no country is safe from his reckless economic policies. 

Recent polling shows that Canadians overwhelmingly support strong action: 

• 77% want the federal government to impose tariffs in retaliation. 

• 75% support restricting U.S. access to Canadian resources. 

• 90% believe Trump’s tariffs will damage Canada-U.S. relations. 

Workers expect leaders to stand up for them. This is a pivotal moment for Canada to come together with a bold plan to protect jobs, strengthen industries, and create new opportunities for workers. The labour movement will always mobilize, organize, and push for solutions that secure livelihoods, support communities, and drive sustainable economic growth. 

The post Cut Off U.S. Energy and Resources Now: No Electricity, No Critical Minerals, No Oil and Gas  appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

Workers are being left behind while corporations rake in record profits; this is not fair.

Too many Canadians are struggling to make ends meet. This is not just about port workers; it’s about an economic system where the gap between the wealthy and working people continues to grow. Workers are simply fighting for fair wages, job security, and safe workplaces—basic rights that should never be up for debate.

No one takes the decision to strike or endure a lockout lightly. Workers are left with no choice when employers refuse to engage in fair negotiations, especially when those same employers have enjoyed windfall profits during the pandemic.

Despite their record-breaking profits during the pandemic, port employers have refused to engage in good-faith negotiations, pushing workers to the brink. Now, by resorting to binding arbitration under section 107, the government is sending a dangerous message: employers can bypass meaningful negotiations, lock out their workers, and wait for political intervention to secure a more favourable deal.

Imposing binding arbitration or back-to-work legislation undermines workers’ rights to collective bargaining, weakening their ability to fight for fair wages and safe workplaces. Political interference tips the scales toward employers and sets a dangerous precedent. Canada’s unions believe lasting solutions come from fair negotiations, not government-imposed deals. The government must let collective bargaining take its course to protect the rights of all workers.

Port workers are simply asking for what they deserve—fair wages, job security, and safe working conditions. These demands are not unreasonable, particularly when employers have reaped extraordinary financial gains in recent years. 

Canada’s unions stand united in calling on the government to respect the Canada Labour Code and allow for a fair collective bargaining process that respects workers and ensures they receive their fair share in an era of record corporate profits.

Workers deserve a fair deal, and the only way to achieve lasting stability is through mutual respect and good-faith negotiations. 

Workers are not asking for the moon—they’re asking for their fair share in an era of extraordinary corporate wealth. The government must decide: will it stand with working people, or will it continue to tip the scales in favour of those who already have more than enough? 

The post Canada’s unions demand respect for port workers and fair negotiations – not political interference appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

Protecting the EV supply chains in Canada is about investing in Canada’s capacity to transition to a low-carbon economy with good, unionized jobs that support families—not a backdoor for China to flood our market with its cars.  

The consultations announced today should result in quick and decisive action to protect from unfair Chinese competition and create Canadian jobs in domestic EV supply chains.  

Both the United States and Europe have introduced higher import tariffs on Chinese-made EVs. Similar action from Canada is essential to ensure that the highly integrated automotive sector in Canada, U.S. and Mexico will continue to grow with good, unionized jobs that strengthen our economy and ensure we meet our climate ambitions. 

The post Protecting Canada’s EV Opportunities  appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

“As the next federal election draws closer, workers are demanding all parties agree to respect and enhance workers’ rights,” declared Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “Political parties must make concrete platform commitments to remove obstacles to organizing and crack down on union-busting companies that engage in workplace threats and intimidation. Any party that fails to back their words with action will face serious consequences at the ballot box when the next election comes.” 

Bruske shared findings from a new poll commissioned by the Canadian Labour Congress. The national survey was conducted by GQR Canada from 1-8 April 2024 and surveyed 1,549 eligible voters. Full details of the poll are available on the CLC’s website. 

The poll found:  

• A majority of Canadians, 62%, believe belonging to a union is a good thing. Support is highest amongst women and in the electoral battleground regions of Ontario and the Maritimes.  
• An overwhelming 80% of young workers (18-29), think there are obstacles to joining a union, such as workplace intimidation, employers spreading misinformation, and too many bureaucratic steps that impede organizing.  
• 70% of Canadians want governments to remove barriers to forming or joining a union. Only 9% strongly disagree. 

“So many struggle with higher prices, worsening work-life balance, and deteriorating working conditions. The reality is employers always start out with the upper hand. It’s no wonder so many Canadians see the value of having a union to protect them,” explained Bruske. “But as part of a union, workers can negotiate better. A union card in your back pocket is your ticket to fairer wages, decent benefits, respect in your workplace, and financial security when you retire. That’s why the labour movement is seeing so much momentum and growth across the country.”  

The Canadian Labour Congress is the largest labour organization in Canada, bringing together dozens of national and international unions, provincial and territorial federations of labour and community-based labour councils to represent more than 3 million workers across the country.

The post NEW POLL: CANADIANS BACK UNIONS TO DELIVER WORKER PROTECTIONS, FAIRER WAGES appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

Canada’s unions are happy to see significant progress made on banning replacement workers, a crucial missing piece of Canada’s labour laws for decades. This was made possible by thousands of union activists across the country who stood up and demanded better from the government.

This is an important step towards truly protecting workers and their right to strike, this legislation must apply to any work regularly performed by bargaining unit workers and should not deny workers the right to legally strike by creating more essential service barriers.

We have seen years of record corporate profits while workers’ pay lagged far behind. Workers are rightly demanding fairer wages, better safety standards and respect from their employers.

By banning the use of scabs once and for all, we can take a real step towards less labour disruptions, avoiding work stoppages and building a more balanced economy—while increasing the benefits and respect workers deserve.

Now, we need Parliamentarians of all stripes to work together and amend the legislation to ensure it comes into force as soon as it receives Royal Assent. It is pivotal in order to bring immediate protection for workers’ rights and restore fairness to the collective bargaining process. We’ve waited long enough.

The post Statement from Bea Bruske: Banning scab labour is about protecting workers’ rights appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

“Canada’s unions are outraged by the political games on display in Parliament this week as opposition leader Pierre Poilievre and his Conservative Party use procedural tactics to delay, derail, and ultimately block critical pieces of legislation designed to benefit workers across Canada. The Sustainable Jobs Act (Bill C-50) is aimed at shaping Canada’s strategy to protect and create good, low-carbon jobs, while anti-scab Bill C-58 is focused on restoring fairness for workers in collective bargaining, yet the Conservatives are doing everything in their power to block these bills.

“At a time when workers and their families are reflecting on a year that was marked by a crushing affordability crisis, the devastating impacts of climate change and constant undermining of workers’ rights by wealthy corporations, Poilievre has opted to double down on attacking working people.

“Mr. Poilievre’s actions in Parliament differ sharply from the public persona he is trying to create. But recent polls indicate that the public is starting to see through the nonsense. Whether it’s voting against school meals for hungry kids, filibustering legislation that would create and protect good jobs, or siding with corporations over everyday Canadians, Poilievre and the Conservatives consistently oppose the priorities that Canada’s unions advocate for on behalf of all workers. We won’t let it go unchallenged.

“Canada’s unions strongly urge Mr. Poilievre and his colleagues in the Conservative Party to stop using workers and their families as political pawns. Parliamentarians of all stripes must work together for the good of hardworking people across this country. That starts with passing Bill C-50 and Bill C-58.”

The post Statement from Bea Bruske: Poilievre’s Conservatives blocking priority bills for workers appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

The latest report, Putting workers and communities at the centre of Canada’s net-zero energy economy, funded by Natural Resources Canada, outlines actions and investments that governments should make to support workers in the shift to a sustainable economy.

“Canada stands at a crossroads. People across the country and around the globe are experiencing the impacts of climate change in their work and their everyday lives to a degree that’s unprecedented,” said Bea Bruske, President of the CLC. “Our economy must adapt in order to prevent the worst impacts of climate change, but it must also be positioned to take advantage of the massive industrial and economic opportunities that come with a global shift to net-zero. To accomplish that, we must ensure workers have a seat at the decision-making table.”

“Countries around the world are racing to secure their place in a net-zero future,” said Chris Severson-Baker, Executive Director of the Pembina Institute. “At the same time, a people-centered energy transition and industrial decarbonization strategies have the potential to create a host of co-benefits that can improve the everyday lives of Canadians — boosting the economy, creating new livelihoods, improving health outcomes, and creating a better future for equity-deserving groups.”

“This report rightly puts skills development and training at the heart of a blueprint needed to achieve Canada’s climate targets and carve out new sources of competitive advantage in a net-zero world,” said Pedro Barata, Executive Director of the Future Skills Centre. “The recommendations point to the need for place-based and sectoral approaches that bring together stakeholders – including workers – to co-design and implement solutions to the challenges facing Canadian workers, starting now, in the places where they will be felt first and most acutely.”

The report shows that 2 million people will be working in the Canadian clean energy sector by 2050, that investing in workers and regional economies can increase GDP by a cumulative $55 billion between 2040 and 2050, and supports for accredited, non-profit training can drive down unemployment and increase wages for workers in resource sectors.

“We absolutely cannot afford to let these opportunities pass Canada by,” added Bruske.

Canada can either be a leader with a plan to train workers, decarbonize industries, support economic diversification, and ensure our workers are leaders in a net-zero global economy, or miss this golden opportunity.

“A framework for international and national just transitions is needed. It must address equity, social, economic, and environmental dimensions, aligning with the ILO guidelines adopted by governments at the ILC in June on Just Transition,” said Diana Junquera Curiel, Acting Director of the Just Transition Centre. “Labour rights, social dialogue, and social protection are being pushed by unions into the climate discussions, emphasizing the need for international justice for a Just Transition and workers at the table in Just Transition policies.”

Decision-makers across the federal government, provinces, territories, the Sustainable Jobs Partnership Council and Sustainable Jobs Secretariat will find in this report recommendations to support workers with skills and training, income security, engagement and labour rights, as well as economic-focused actions to optimize and leverage the energy transition for the good of workers and their communities. The sustainable blueprint for Canada will provide a roadmap to ensure workers can see a path forward for their future.

ABOUT:

The Canadian Labour Congress is the largest labour organization in Canada, bringing together dozens of national and international unions, provincial and territorial federations of labour and community-based labour councils to represent more than 3 million workers across the country.

The Pembina Institute is a charitable thinktank working to solve today’s greatest energy challenges — reducing the harmful impacts of fossil fuels while supporting the transition to an energy system that is clean, safe and sustains a high quality of life.

The Future Skills Centre (FSC) is a forward-thinking centre for research and collaboration dedicated to driving innovation in skills development so that everyone in Canada can be prepared for the future of work. The FSC is funded by the Government of Canada’s Future Skills Program.

The Just Transition Centre was established in 2016 by the ITUC and partners. The Centre brings together workers and their unions, businesses and governments in social dialogue and stakeholder engagement with communities and civil society to ensure that labour has a seat at the table when planning for a Just Transition to a low-carbon world.

ENGLISH VERSION

The full English report can be accessed here.

FRENCH VERSION

The full French report can be accessed here.

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To arrange an interview, please contact:

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613-526-7426

The post Canada’s unions release roadmap for workers to see a path forward in Canada’s changing economy appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

OTTAWA––Workers from across Canada took to Parliament Hill this week to urge the government to create a public, universal pharmacare system.

“This government had a chance to show that they are serious about pharmacare, but we saw no mention of it in the recent fall economic statement,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “This government has been talking about implementing pharmacare for years. Canadians have waited long enough, it’s time for this government to walk the talk.”

Pharmacare is a cornerstone of the Liberal-NDP supply and confidence agreement, with the two parties agreeing to introduce legislation by the end of 2023.

“The Liberals are running out of time to make pharmacare a reality,” said Bruske. “Hundreds of workers are in Ottawa this week to make it clear they expect the government to stand by its promise and make a universal public prescription drug plan happen and provide coverage for all.”

In addition to pharmacare, Canada’s workers are ramping up pressure on parliamentarians to pass Bill C-58 to ban scab labour and Bill C-50, the Sustainable Jobs Act rapidly.

Bill C-58 is currently being debated in the House and Pierre Poilievre and the Conservative Caucus have yet to state a clear and coherent stance on it. Despite the bill receiving support from the NDP and the Bloc Québecois, Poilievre continues to claim he needs more information before making a decision.

“Workers want to know: Do the Conservatives support the bill – support workers – or not?” said Bruske. “Poilievre is loud on rhetoric and good with soundbites, but completely silent on his real agenda – workers see through his nonsense.”

“In not clearly stating his support of Bill C-58, Pierre Poilievre has once again shown his true colours. He can talk all he wants about being for workers, but he has a chance right now to show that he’s with them and instead of doing that he is stalling the process – just like with Bill C-50,” said Bruske. “Poilievre has a long track record of attacking workers’ rights and siding with profitable corporations over everyday people, which makes clear the kind of leader he is. We remember when he introduced anti-labour laws and helped rich corporations pay even less in taxes and voted to cut support for unemployed workers. We know that he will vote against workers’ interests, every time.”

Canada’s unions also call on the government to take immediate action to move Bill C-50 forward and for the Conservatives to end their obstruction of the act.

“It’s time to move forward. Pierre Poilievre and the Conservatives have wasted enough time. Workers see through the Conservatives’ nonsense,’’ said Bruske. “Workers and their families are struggling to make ends meet and worry that they’ll be out of work as we transition our economy. I urge the Liberal government to introduce legislation to enact universal pharmacare and to move forward with bills C-50 and C-58.”

The Canadian Labour Congress is the largest labour organization in Canada, bringing together dozens of national and international unions, provincial and territorial federations of labour and community-based labour councils to represent more than 3 million workers across the country.

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613-526-7426

The post Workers mobilize on the Hill to urge MPs to act as families continue to struggle appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

“High decibel levels from the right-wing business community demanding cuts simply fail to recognize that when we invest in housing, child care and sustainable jobs we are investing in our future and our kids’ future,” declared Bruske. “When we create child care spaces, more parents can enter the workforce. When we invest in the energy transition, we create the good, sustainable, union jobs of the future. These are the kinds of smart, pragmatic decisions that will build the future communities we want to live in.”

“October saw the largest one month increase in rent prices in over 40 years. That’s the biggest jump in over four decades. Working people welcomed progress on housing affordability, but more is needed to help people struggling to afford rising prices.”

Workers are looking to the government to act as families fall further behind.

“The government is predicting a big jump in unemployment and slower economic growth. This will mean 150,000 more workers losing their job. It is concerning as our economy is teetering on the precipice of a recession,” explained Bruske. “Instead of even more cuts to our public service, workers wanted to see the government take action to make wildly profitable oil and grocery corporations pay what they owe and fix Employment Insurance, so critical support is there for workers when they need it most.”

Bruske added that Canada faces stark fiscal policy decisions in the months and years ahead that will shape Canada’s future.

“We need to be on a financially sustainable path. But this doesn’t mean cuts to critical help and services families rely on, as Pierre Poilievre and the Conservatives keep pushing,” warned Bruske. “Amplifying anger may help serve his ambition, but it’s not doing anything to actually help people. Mr. Poilievre will never ask profitable oil companies and grocery chains to pay what they owe – the government should.”

The Canadian Labour Congress is the largest labour organization in Canada, bringing together dozens of national and international unions, provincial and territorial federations of labour and community-based labour councils to represent more than 3 million workers across the country.

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To arrange an interview, please contact:
CLC Media Relations
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613-526-7426

The post Families paying too high a price for tough economic times appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

Today Canada faces a once-in-generation economic, environmental, and political challenge, and we won’t get a second chance to get this right. 

Our neighbour and biggest trading partner is aggressively adapting their workforces and industries. Countries around the world are accelerating their transition to a zero-carbon economy. If we fail to act now, our industries will lose out and our workers will be left behind. Our livelihoods and communities will be put at risk. 

We are facing serious economic and political challenges, for sure. But today’s challenges can become tomorrow’s opportunity if we can show our special ability as Canadians to work together. That’s why Canada’s unions are actively engaging governments and businesses. Some issues make strange bedfellows. But we must rise to meet these challenges, and that means workers, businesses and governments must come together and act for the common good.  

The government has introduced positive new legislation that provides a roadmap for Canada’s transition to a low-carbon economy. The Sustainable Jobs Act looks to address climate change and build a low-carbon economy through creating and supporting good, sustainable, union jobs in successful, low-emission businesses. The kinds of family-supporting, middle-class jobs that allow us to build the healthy and thriving communities we want to live in. With some tweaks, the Sustainable Jobs Act will make a real difference for millions of workers and thousands of businesses.  

But make no mistake, we certainly will never build the communities we want to live in with precarious, low-wage jobs. Governments can’t just hand out billions in blank cheques to private companies and then hope good things happen. We must always make sure communities benefit when we invest public dollars in private companies.  

Workers stand on the frontlines of climate change, including fighting wildfires, restoring downed power lines, and rebuilding our communities after extreme weather hits. Workers are also front and centre dealing with the impacts of this economic transition. Like the energy workers worried about the future, the farm workers battling droughts, or the construction workers who keep on building through sweltering heatwaves.  

As the democratic representatives of workers, the labour movement must have meaningful seats at the decision-making table. Workers and the businesses that employ them must be at the table with governments if we are serious about crafting solutions. There should certainly be no opposition to the principle that, as Canada shifts to a low-carbon economy, no workers or industries are left out of this conversation.  

This might be a global challenge, but our solutions must be local. Building a low-carbon economy will mean new opportunities across the country, in every sector and every region. Clean energy manufacturing, critical minerals, non-emitting and renewable energy, electric vehicles, and the list goes on. Unions are ready to work with businesses, so they are well-positioned to succeed in tomorrow’s economy.  

In 2015, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said moving to a low-carbon economy would “require a transformation in our energy sectors.” Now, workers are looking to MPs from all parties to work with us to quickly pass a strengthened Sustainable Jobs Act. Then we can get down to the hard work of creating good jobs and successful businesses in a sustainable economy.  

Hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in economic activity hang in the balance.  

Bea Bruske is President of the Canadian Labour Congress. Follow her on Twitter @PresidentCLC 

The post Government, workers and businesses must come together to win the low-carbon economic transition appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

“Workers from coast-to-coast are ready to get to work and contribute to building a strong, sustainable economy. This report provides a comprehensive framework for government action to support workers in this critical undertaking,” said Bea Bruske, President of the CLC. “Canada’s unions expect, and will continue to press for, swift government action to provide the tools and opportunities needed to make a sustainable future a reality.”  

The Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act, introduced in June, presents an important opportunity to protect workers, ensure new low-carbon jobs are high quality, and give workers a seat at the table as decisions are made about their futures. 

However, steps must be taken to ensure the legislation meets its potential. The report provides specific recommendations to strengthen the Act, including improving guiding principles, equipping the Sustainable Jobs Partnership Council with the tools needed to meaningfully shape Canada’s sustainable jobs strategy, and establishing an effective Secretariat to enhance policy integration, intergovernmental coordination, and worker support. Adopting these recommendations would ensure that the legislation supports workers and communities with a pathway to good, sustainable jobs. 

Bruske emphasized: “Workers are the linchpin in facilitating the shift toward a sustainable economy. But this shift will be impossible if we don’t prioritize fair and safe work, decent wages, and workers’ rights.” She added: “Through collaboration with workers, unions, and businesses, Canada can be a global leader in good, sustainable jobs and the fight against climate change.” 

The full report can be accessed here.  

The second installment in the Sustainable Jobs Blueprint Series is set to be released shortly and will focus on sustainable jobs policies that support workers and their communities. 

This project was funded by Natural Resources Canada. 

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To arrange an interview, please contact: 
CLC Media Relations 
media@clcctc.ca  
613-526-7426 

The post Canada’s unions release sustainable jobs blueprint appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

“Canada’s unions are looking to MPs from all parties to come together behind swift action to make sure help is there for people facing high prices, stretched budgets and a weakening economy,” urged Bruske. “Parliament must also act urgently on the dual challenges of addressing climate change while creating sustainable jobs.”

Bruske said Canada’s unions expect MPs to make it a top priority to strengthen the Sustainable Jobs Act, C-50, and get the bill passed before the winter break.

“The Americans’ Inflation Reduction Act has challenged the world to act, and many countries are responding. The Sustainable Jobs Act provides a roadmap for Canada’s governments, businesses, and unions to work together and make sure our workers aren’t left behind in the global transition to a low-carbon economy,” warned Bruske. “Climate change is real and getting worse. MPs must make it job one this fall to take smart action that creates the kind of good, sustainable, union jobs that are the cornerstone to building thriving communities.”

Bruske said that Parliament must also act to make things a bit easier for those struggling the most through urgent action to create more affordable homes, make sure EI is there for people when they need it, and pass a new pharmacare act so Canada can implement public, universal pharmacare.

“Building affordable homes and implementing publicly funded and publicly delivered pharmacare are tangible ways we can make sure no one is left with the impossible choice of choosing whether to pay for rent, groceries, or their kid’s medicine. MPs must deliver on pharmacare this fall,” declared Bruske. “3 in 5 unemployed people don’t even qualify for benefits. With unemployment rising and more people being thrown out of work, it’s critical we finally reform EI so help is there for workers when they need it.”

Bruske added that it is also critical the government introduces, and MPs pass, anti-scab legislation this fall.

“We have seen years of record corporate profits while workers’ pay lagged far behind. Workers are rightly demanding more balanced workplaces,” said Bruske. “If we ban the use of scabs once and for all, we can take a real step towards greater labour peace, avoiding work stoppages and building a more balanced economy.” 

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Please contact:
CLC Media Relations
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613-526-7426

The post As Parliament returns, people feel the pain from high prices, a slowing economy appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

During a year when many communities are witnessing a worsening of the already-devastating impacts of climate change, the need for swift and widespread climate action remains urgent. “Climate change is the defining crisis of our time and one that will include everyone from government officials to energy company executives, to front line workers and their unions,” says Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “Workers in communities across Canada are leading the transition to powering the country with sustainable energy. They expect the government to take ambitious action to move with them.” 

Canada’s unions are pleased that the vision document includes a plan to include workers and their unions in a meaningful way throughout the process. As Canada transitions to a net-zero economy there is immense opportunity to create and protect good, unionized jobs, with pathways into these jobs for women, Indigenous and racialized workers, and other equity-seeking groups. 

“These workers are the ones who will make our transition possible; we won’t meet our climate goals without them,” says Bruske. “If Canada is going to achieve net-zero by 2030, the workers making that happen need good, union jobs.” 

Canada’s unions will continue to push for investments in sustainable energy and climate action, including supports for workers whose jobs are affected by climate change and provisions like new jobs, comprehensive training initiatives, upskilling and reskilling, skills recognition, Employment Insurance (EI), mental health support, family support, pension bridging, relocation assistance, and other essential measures. 

“Today’s announcement is a critical step in the climate action process. We remain committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure that workers are included in the creation of an equitable and sustainable future for all,” says Bruske. “We know that communities with good, union jobs embedded within them are stable and resilient. We are focused on making sure the transition puts as many of these jobs in as many communities as possible.” 

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Please contact: 
CLC Media Relations 
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The post Workers Eager to Contribute to National Electricity Grid Plan appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

Bill C-50, just tabled, provides a roadmap toward making Canada’s economy competitive for years to come.

“On a global scale, clean energy investment has surpassed spending on oil and gas for the first time.” From raging wildfires to extreme storms, each day brings stark reminders of the impacts of climate change and the urgent need for climate action. Climate change is an undeniable reality, and its effects are worsening. Regardless of who might be in power a decade from now, Canada must act today to fulfill its role in the global fight against climate change while securing our position in the low-carbon economy of the future.

Last year, the United States took a significant leap forward with the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), placing immense pressure on Canada to keep pace or risk falling behind. The IRA outlined the Biden administration’s plan to slash emissions, invest in clean energy and provide direct supports to communities.

The Canadian government’s response began to take shape when it committed to invest $80 billion over the next decade and signed notable deals with Volkswagen and Stellantis. With the introduction of the Sustainable Jobs Act, C-50, Canada is taking another important step forward for our workers and businesses. This legislation provides a roadmap for making Canada’s economy competitive for years to come.

On a global scale, clean energy investment has surpassed spending on oil and gas for the first time, signalling the most substantial transformation of our economy in recent memory. With fierce global competition to attract new investments, Canada faces the potential loss of up to $600 billion over the next 15 years if we fail to get this right.

Our competitive advantage lies in Canada’s businesses, workers and government working together to ensure that new industrial investments entice companies to do business in Canada and that this new economic activity brings tangible benefits to our people and communities.

At the heart of this new Act is a Sustainable Jobs Partnership Council, bringing workers and business together to advise the government on the best ways to create sustainable jobs in this new economy. We believe that at the core of Canada’s approach must be the fundamental principle that workers deserve a meaningful seat at the table and a voice in decision-making around Canada’s industrial strategy. We must provide workers with a pathway to the good jobs of tomorrow while giving the labour movement a real say in any new government body making decisions about workers’ futures.

Multinational corporations possess influential platforms and a strong lobby. They prioritize their investors’ interests. But Canada’s labour movement represents everyday people and brings forward the unique experiences and insights of Canada’s workers.

The decisions we make now will determine whether we build thriving communities powered by good, family-supporting union jobs with decent pay, pensions and benefits. Providing better training and apprenticeship support will mean people can keep their jobs as their industry moves to new low-carbon technologies or learn the skills they need to take on new jobs. We also have a once-in-a-generation opening to create new opportunities for historically excluded people, including women, Indigenous and racialized workers, workers with disabilities and other equity-seeking groups.

By bringing labour, industry and government together, the Sustainable Jobs Act provides a new approach that can position Canada at the forefront of the global low-carbon economy. Working together, we can create good union jobs while we help businesses shift to cleaner technologies, move to lower-emissions manufacturing jobs, and make Canada a leading supplier of the critical minerals needed for new low-carbon technologies.

This is how we can build the kinds of flourishing communities Canadians want for their children and grandchildren.

Bea Bruske is President of the Canadian Labour Congress. Follow her on Twitter @PresidentCLC

The post Bruske: How Canada can create sustainable jobs as we shift to a low-carbon future appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

As communities across the country and around the world grapple with the impacts of climate change, it is crucial that we work together to drive down emissions and hit our climate targets. 

“We cannot afford to ignore the looming threat of the climate crisis. Global economies are shifting to address climate change, which means jobs and work will also evolve. Workers and unions must be at the decision-making table to make sure no one is left behind,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. 

Bruske added, “Make no mistake; when governments are investing in sustainable jobs, labour rights are a must. Social protection is essential. Workers are at the forefront of Canada’s changing climate, and they deserve to bring their concerns, skills, and expertise to the table. Now is the time to ensure that all workers – especially those who have been historically marginalized – have their voices heard.” 

Canada’s unions welcome investments to date, such as increases to the Union Training and Innovation Program under the Canada Sustainable Jobs Plan and tax credits designed to spur investment in emissions-reducing projects and technologies while incentivizing the creation of good-paying, sustainable jobs. The federal government’s commitment to tie labour requirements to clean energy tax credits in Budget 2023, including prevailing wage levels and apprenticeship training opportunities, is particularly welcome.  

However, this is just a start. Moving towards a sustainable economy requires ambitious, targeted investments to meet climate targets while protecting and creating good, unionized work. It necessitates meaningful collaboration and social dialogue between organized labour, governments, and businesses to provide good-paying, secure jobs – and there must be pathways into these jobs for women, Indigenous and racialized workers, and other equity-seeking groups. 

“More action is needed to ensure jobs in the sustainable economy provide fair compensation and benefits, health and safety protections, democratic representation in the workplace, and opportunities for equity,” said Larry Rousseau, Executive Vice-President of the CLC. “Concrete action – and investments – are vital for our collective wellbeing. For our planet and our communities, we must act now.” 

Add your voice to call for a Just Transition that puts sustainable, healthy, and resilient communities at the heart of climate action.

The post Earth Day 2023: Canada’s unions call on governments to put workers and communities first appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

OTTAWA- As the cabinet retreat adjourns and all parties prepare for the return of Parliament next Monday, Canada’s unions are urging cooperation and collaboration focused on helping struggling families.

December’s CPI numbers showed that inflation is moderating in Canada, but workers continue to see their wages lagging. According to the Bank of Canada’s most recent survey, Canadians are cutting down on their spending by fear of higher interest rates and the specter of a looming recession.

“I hope that Governor Macklem and the Bank of Canada are seriously considering pausing rate hikes this year,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “Let’s hope they are just as quick to start reducing rates as they were hiking them. If we are thrown into a recession, that would initiate massive job losses and downward pressure on wages.”

Across the country, the effects of the Bank of Canada’s interest rate hikes are apparent. Big banks are expecting tens of thousands of people to default on their mortgages, and food banks are reporting a massive increase in usage. Meanwhile, before noon on January 3, Canada’s top CEOs had already pocketed the average workers’ annual salary.

“Parliament will resume next week and we’re at a crossroads. The rising costs of food, housing, and prescription medication are affecting everyone, meaning more and more people must make difficult choices – buying food to put on the table or buying the medication their kid needs. No one should have to make that impossible decision,” added Bruske.

“We are seeing public health care failing across the country – we have ERs shutting down, children’s hospitals are swamped, wait times for critical surgeries just keep getting longer and the worst recently happened when people died while waiting for care in an emergency room. At the heart of the crisis facing our health care system right now is the critical shortage of workers – the government needs to address this, and fast,” said Bruske.

To tackle the never-before-seen staff shortage, the government must invest in health care workers with better pay, benefits, pension plan and working conditions. Canada’s unions are asking the government to invest in addressing the underutilization of internationally educated health care workers with meaningful and faster licensure and certification.

Canada’s unions will be urging the government to increase investments in health care and to strongly oppose the privatization of our care systems. The Prime Minister needs to call a First Ministers’ meeting and work with provinces and territories to put in place programs like pharmacare and dental care for all to help alleviate some of the costs families are facing, ultimately helping reduce the impacts of inflation.

Canada’s unions will be pushing the government to fix the shattered Employment Insurance (EI) system. This must start with restoring temporary EI measures until permanent improvements can take effect.

Canada’s unions will also be calling on Parliament to pass anti-scab legislation, quickly. Workers don’t just need anti-scab legislation, they need strong anti-scab legislation. The government has an excellent model for this legislation in NDP MP Boulerice’s private member’s Bill C-302 and we are urging all parties to work together to pass this Bill.

Senators must also act swiftly to pass Bill C-228. This Bill will safeguard the hard-earned pensions of millions of workers and pensioners. It will also ensure that super-priority is given to pensioners and pension plan members in the event of an employer becoming insolvent, meaning they will have to pay pensions before addressing other financial liabilities.

Senators have a historic opportunity to restore fairness for workers and pensioners and ensure the injustice faced by Sears, Nortel, and Stelco workers is never allowed to happen again.

“Parliamentarians working together, across party lines, is key to progress. Cooperation between the New Democrats and the Liberal government resulted in significant gains – and Canada’s unions will continue to push for more cooperation to tackle the pressing challenges ahead of us,” said Bruske.

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To arrange an interview, please contact:

CLC Media Relations
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613-526-7426

The post Politicians must collaborate to find solutions for Canada’s struggling workers appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

An estimated 500,000 undocumented people in Canada live under constant fear and threat of abuse and exploitation due to their immigration status. They frequently face racism, discrimination and wage theft, work in dangerous conditions, and are denied basic human and labour rights and benefits such as job protections, health care and education. Their precarious and vulnerable position leaves them unable to speak up against the maltreatment they experience.

“Migrants, international students, refugees and undocumented people are struggling hard to secure their rights. Canada’s unions stand alongside them in strongly advocating for the rights and protections they deserve,” said Bea Bruske, CLC President. “Migrant workers do the critical work of keeping our communities and families safe and cared for. They provide essential services to Canadians across numerous sectors, yet face precarity and unfair working and living conditions and low wages. Urgent change is needed to help support these workers.”

The CLC also continues to urge the government to make meaningful and substantive changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) to ensure migrant workers have full human and labour rights, including the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining. Migrant workers under the TFWP are subject to work permits that tie them to one employer, which bars them from job mobility and security and makes them highly vulnerable to abuse and exploitation by their employers while offering them no recourse.

Most migrants in low-waged work do not have access to permanent residency. To address this issue, the CLC fully supports creating more opportunities for permanent residency for migrants, especially for low-wage migrants, which would provide them with access to the government supports and labour protections they require. “It’s past time for Canada to remove the barriers to full participation and opportunities for migrants, undocumented people, international students and refugees. We urge the federal government to take bold and progressive action to provide full and permanent immigration status for the 1.7 million migrants living in Canada, including undocumented people,” said Bruske.

The post International Migrants Day: Canada must do more to help undocumented people secure their rights appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

“Investments in care are essential if we’re going to reduce and redistribute women’s unpaid work and pave the way for women to take on paid work, or to access education or training,” said Bea Bruske, CLC President. “If women are going to have equal opportunities and equal access to the labour force, then Canada must address its care crisis. In addition to unpaid care duties, many women work in care jobs: jobs that are undervalued, underpaid and often have poor working conditions. We need drastic change to achieve true gender equality.”

It is estimated that Canada’s care economy employs roughly one in five workers in the Canadian labour force. Whether it’s health care, education, child care, elder care, domestic work, social services, care for persons with disabilities, community centres and more, care work is crucial to the wellbeing of our communities and our economy.

However, years of chronic government underfunding, coupled with increased privatisation and a worrying shift of care to for-profit businesses has left us with a broken care system. According to the OECD, Canada falls near the bottom among wealthy countries in its public expenditure on social services. This has led to a decreasing level of quality of care as well as an overall erosion of decent working conditions for workers in the care economy.

This is why Canada’s unions recently launched Show We Care, a national campaign aimed at highlighting care workers in Canada and calling for investments to fix the struggling systems.

In Canada, women make up nearly 75 percent of Canada’s care workers and research shows that their involvement in care work, particularly unpaid care, is a critical factor in shaping women’s employment and trajectories for lifetime earnings. Statistics Canada estimated that in 2019 alone, the economic value of unpaid household work in Canada was equivalent to between $515 billion and $860 billion. That amounts to a quarter or as high as 37 percent of Canada’s nominal GDP that year.

“Gender Equality Week is a significant opportunity for our federal government to take stock of the gender inequities in our broken care systems and commit to action,” said Siobhán Vipond, Executive Vice-President of the CLC. “It’s past time for federal decision makers to take action and show they care by repairing Canada’s failing care systems.”

Unions are calling on the federal government to address the care crisis by:

• Forming a Care Economy Commission to study, design and implement a comprehensive Canadian care strategy;
• Making significant and on-going investments in public social infrastructure and care work to ensure an equitable and sustainable economic recovery;
• Implementing standards and investments to address shortfalls and inequitable levels of care for seniors and persons with disabilities, including in long-term care, home care and palliative care;
• Ensuring that the new investments in early learning and childhood education in every province and territory address the child care workforce crisis;
• Ratifying the International Labour Organisation’s Convention 189 to ensure decent work and protections for domestic workers; and
• Establishing pathways to permanent residency for migrant workers, many of whom deliver care, and ensure migrant workers have comprehensive worker protections to prevent exploitation and abuse.

“Our jobs, our families and our economy depend on having our care needs met,” said Bruske. “We need federal leadership to make Canada a place where everyone has the care they need, and caregivers have the recognition, support and compensation they deserve.”

The post To achieve gender equality, Canada’s decision makers must prioritize investments in care appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

“The pandemic and its devastating effects aren’t behind us yet, but workers in Canada have an opportunity to help shape the future we want,” said Bea Bruske, President of the CLC. “More and more workers are pushing back and demanding better: better wages, better benefits and better working conditions. This is our moment to seize, to shape the world of work we want.”

Workers across the country will gather at local Labour Day events in their communities, after two years of virtual events. Canada’s unions are happy to be hosting in-person and hybrid events, to celebrate workers’ contributions in weathering the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We owe a great debt to the frontline workers who kept us safe, healthy, fed and supported over the past two and a half years. Governments and employers must recognize that there is no recovery without workers. In a time when inflation is rising at a breakneck pace, and the cost of living is becoming unlivable, decision-makers must take concrete action to ensure workers aren’t left behind. We should want to see workers in this country thrive, instead of watching them struggle to survive,” said Bruske.

Bruske will join workers and community leaders in Toronto for the annual Labour Day parade. This will mark the 150^th anniversary of labour taking to the streets in Toronto to mark Labour Day.

What:              Parade

Where:            Parade begins at Queen St. W. at University Ave.

When:             Monday, September 5, 2022 at 9:30 am ET

Who:               CLC President, Bea Bruske

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To arrange an interview on or before Labour Day, contact:
Chantal St-Denis
cstdenis@clcctc.ca
613-355-1962                                                                                     

The post Labour Day: Worker power is key to a stronger middle class appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

BERLIN – Today in Germany, Bea Bruske delivered a strong message from international labour leaders to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, President of the G7.

“When it comes to building a plan to decarbonize every sector of our economies, it is critical that workers are at the table. These workers help build the economies of these countries and they must not be left to carry the burden on their own,” said Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress.

Bruske delivered her comments on behalf of the “Labour 7,” a group of representatives from the trade union federations of the G7 countries.

“We, the labour leaders in G7 countries, urge our governments to move from ambition to implementation on climate protection,” Bruske said in her remarks. “These investments should not be diminished by responding to other global crises. As you stated Monday, Chancellor, increased military spending should not affect social cohesion nor diminish commitments to other priorities.”

Bruske argued that G7 leaders should put workers and their families at the centre of their plans when it comes to action on fighting climate change.

“It was an honour to deliver a clear message from workers to Chancellor Scholz and the G7,” Bruske said. “Labour leaders around the world were able to find common ground around protecting our climate, environment and biodiversity, and accelerating the global energy transition, while building a sustainable and fair economic system where workers are not left behind. This is essential for ensuring a better life for all on our planet.”

Bruske stressed the importance for world leaders to take action, working together with the labour movement, around creating jobs that are family supporting and high quality.

“We must not trade good jobs for low-quality, precarious work. The leaders of the wealthiest nations must understand that building a just transition for workers is central for us to successfully tackle climate change,” said Bruske.

Bruske added that international conventions on occupational health and safety, robust social and workplace protections, and investing in health care and social services are all critical elements to achieving a sustainable planet.

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To arrange an interview, please contact:
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613-526-7426

The post Bruske to German Chancellor and the G7: Turn from ambition to action on climate and just transition appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

“The switch from automatic certification to mandatory voting has coincided with the decline in unionization rates. This is no accident,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “We need to see more government action to empower workers. Having a union and a clear collective agreement provides stability and predictability for workers that benefits them and our economy.”

Since the early 1990s governments across Canada have prohibited labour board from automatic certification, even in cases where 100 percent of the bargaining unit demonstrated support by signing union cards.

“Demonstrating support for a union with signed membership cards is democratic. If you have majority support, you should not have to duplicate the process and give the employer time to pressure workers,” said Bruske. “Research across Canada and the United States shows that adding an unnecessary second step – a formal vote to confirm the support employees have already demonstrated by signing their cards – is nothing but an opportunity for employers to interfere.”

Employers can and routinely do pressure workers not to join a union. They may threaten to close the business, initiate layoffs, withhold promotion and training opportunities or take other steps. The fines are low and the benefits of breaking the law to defeat the union, in their view, outweigh the costs.

The right to form an independent association for the purposes of collective bargaining is protected under s. 2(d) freedom of association guarantee under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Government of Canada has adopted multiple International Labour Organization conventions supporting the right to unionize and engage in collective bargaining.

Employee voice in the workplace is a fundamental pillar of workplace democracy. Providing workers with a collective voice at work improves workplace health and safety, strengthens employee morale and reduces employee turnover (since exit is no longer the sole option for dealing with dissatisfactory working conditions).

The Government of Canada recognized this in 2016 when it restored automatic certification federally and reversed the Harper government’s Bill C-525, which withdrew automatic certification as an option in the federal private sector without any study, dialogue or debate.

The post BC government move to card check certification a win for workers appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

OTTAWA – On the eve of federal, provincial and territorial labour minister meetings, chaired by Minister Seamus O’Regan, Canada’s unions are urging Canada’s leaders to protect our communities from COVID-19 and other future viruses by making sure workers have access to 10 paid sick days in every jurisdiction across Canada.

“Public health and worker protection go hand in hand. Throughout the pandemic, we saw that when workers can’t stay home, our communities pay the price with more outbreaks and worse health outcomes,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC). “The reality is, we know paid sick leave saves lives. We urge the Minister of Labour to work with the provinces and territories to make sure all Canadian workers can stay home when sick by having access to 10 days of paid sick leave.”

While Canada’s unions welcomed the passage of federal legislation, they are urging the government to accelerate the law’s implementation.

“We thank parliamentarians and the government for passing the federal law so swiftly, and unanimously. But the pandemic is not over and new variants are swirling,” said Bruske. “It is critical that the government now brings this law into force immediately, so federally-regulated workers can begin accessing these sick days as soon as possible.”

Bruske added that the right to access sick leave must be accompanied by changes to workplace culture, so workers feel free to use their sick days. She pointed to how some of the existing provincial programs were underused, especially for non-unionized staff, because of pressure from employers. This particularly impacted care workers, from health care to child care to long-term care.

“Many unionized workers have already won hard-fought access to paid sick leave,” said Bruske. “Now we need to make sure new sick leave programs are designed to be used – and employees are no longer pressured to come to work when sick or fear losing their job.”

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613-526-7426

The post Every worker deserves ten days paid sick leave appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

“The pandemic has highlighted the existing inequity and precarity in Canada’s job market and shone a light on the pervasiveness of work defined by low wages, unstable hours, and lack of access to basic employment rights,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “Without workers, there is no recovery. Workers want to return to good jobs that offer decent pay, benefits and a path to unionization.”

The recovery must also address the disproportionate impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on marginalized workers including women, racialized workers, and workers with a disability. Some of the hardest-hit workers were employed in precarious, low-wage and frontline jobs, in sectors like long-term care, retail, tourism, education, child care and hospitality. Women – particularly racialized women – tend to be overrepresented in these fields.

“Canadian unions demand the new Liberal government develop a robust jobs plan, full employment, and decent work for everyone. The government can address inequality by strengthening our social safety net, through investments in affordable child care and housing, universal pharmacare and improvements to EI,” said Bruske.

Learn more about how Canada’s union are helping to shape the recovery at canadianplan.ca.

The post Canada’s unions calling for worker-centred pandemic recovery appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

“Nobody goes to work asking for more insecurity and vulnerability, but that’s what Uber is offering their workers. These workers are being asked by a giant multinational to give away their rights as employees, and that’s wrong.

“This raises the question of whose time is it, anyway? A driver may work many hours while logged on to the app. Does the company intend to pay workers for only a portion of these hours of work? That would be like an employer demanding their employees to come to work for 8 hours, but only paying for what the employer deemed productive or profitable work.

“Uber has dictated the terms of their workers’ employment, offloading costs like gas and car repairs onto its employees and isn’t even held accountable for providing basic employment standards, like a minimum wage and vacation pay.

“Meanwhile Canada’s laws exclude gig workers from unemployment benefits and even the protections of basic labour standards.

“This is what happens when policy makers ignore the voices of workers and listen instead to the companies and their advocates. These vulnerable, low-paid workers are only asking for the same rights and protections as other workers.

“Sadly, this mirrors the Conservatives’ campaign proposal, which gives giant app companies the freedom to keep exploiting our country’s most vulnerable workers.

“Canada’s unions will stand up for all workers and fight this every step of the way.

“The writing is on the wall. Courts in other jurisdictions, like California, have already called out companies like Uber. The company is now asking the Canadian government to pre-empt the courts, deny workers’ rights and set in stone the second-class status of gig workers. This is wrong.

“All workers should have workplace protections and benefits. We are demanding all parties work with us and give low-paid gig workers fair employment standards and real access to EI and CPP benefits.”

The post Bruske: Uber’s flex work proposal would continue to fail to protect gig workers appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

“Access to paid sick days reduces the spread of COVID and helps workers who keep our economy going stay safe,” said Bruske. “Workers have now suffered through four waves of this pandemic. It’s long past time political parties support paid sick leave for all workers.”

Alongside vaccination against COVID-19, enhanced indoor ventilation, physical distancing, mask requirements, and personal protective equipment, paid sick leave is essential to containing and defeating the virus.

“Workers without paid leave protections have sometimes faced a terrible choice: go to work while ill, at the risk of infecting others, or stay home and lose pay or even their job. In a pandemic, no one should have ever been faced with this dilemma,” said Bruske. Workers must be confident that they won’t suffer reprisal if they’re too ill to come to work. And that requires legislating paid sick days as a universal right.”

Ten paid sick days would place the federal jurisdiction ahead of all provincial and territorial standards in Canada. Canada’s unions are calling on all political parties to commit to this basic labour right and are urging all jurisdictions across the country to follow suit.

The post Canadian workers to political leaders: it’s high time for paid sick leave appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

“Our biggest concern is those workers who are at risk of dropping out of the labour market altogether. “Many workers are just giving up because they can’t find work, or because a lack of access to services, like childcare, makes working impossible,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “The Liberal government has made big promises about creating jobs and investing in childcare, but we won’t start to see real economic recovery until those investments come to fruition.”

June’s labour force survey, released today by Statistics Canada, showed an increase in low-wage part-time work, in sectors that have high levels of precarity. Long-term unemployment remains a concern – almost half a million Canadians have been without work for six months or longer.

The federal government has made commitments towards the creation of one million jobs and investments in skills and training. Workers who are waiting for those investments are now seeing reductions in the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) of $200 per week. Additionally, furloughed workers whose salaries are being subsidized under the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) will lose all compensation as of August 28.

“This pandemic is not over, we still have a ways to go before businesses and workplaces fully reopen,” said Bruske. “As we inch towards pre-pandemic levels of employment, we have to remind the Prime Minister that there can be no going back. We have to do better than pre-pandemic employment levels and move forward to full employment, so every worker who wants a job can find one.”

Canada’s unions are focused on replacing jobs lost during the pandemic with better ones. This means working with the government on their promise to create one million jobs, and ensuring those jobs pay a living wage and include access to benefits like paid sick leave and easier paths to unionization.

Learn more about new CLC President Bea Bruske here.

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Now, with more contagious and deadly variants surging in most regions of the country, this third wave threatens to be the most-deadly phase of the pandemic that we have endured to date.

Without key measures to facilitate the most at-risk people getting the vaccine, including paid leave to get the vaccine, this pandemic will get much worse before it gets better.

Canada is in a race to get enough vaccines into arms to reach herd immunity. This is not an easy task.

CLC President Hassan Yussuff co-chairs a broad task group working to promote vaccine acceptance under the banner “Faster. Together”.

Earlier this month, as part of the work of that task force, Abacus Data published public opinion research on vaccine hesitancy in Canada.

Today, 64 percent of Canadian adults have either received their shot or would take one as soon as one is available to them. Eight percent have said they will never take a vaccine for COVID-19. That leaves 28 percent who currently say they would “prefer to wait a bit to see how the vaccine works out as others take it” or “would prefer not to take one but could be persuaded to”.

Of those vaccine-hesitant Canadians, most cite reasons like not knowing the long-term impacts of the vaccines or fear of blood clots – unsurprising, given some of the public challenges with certain vaccines – as reasons to hold off on getting their shot. Carefully crafted public health approaches will be key to resolving those concerns.

A significant number of those who are hesitant about getting the vaccine cite reasons that can be connected to the workplace. Including both major and minor reasons for being hesitant, 37 percent indicate that they are worried about missing work due to potential side effects. Twenty-three percent indicate they can’t afford to take time off to get a shot. An additional 27 percent indicate that getting vaccinated seems too complicated. This no doubt includes people who have concerns about how to get the vaccine while juggling work and family responsibilities. These work-connected reasons for hesitancy could be relatively easily addressed with smart public policy.

We know the virus is spreading at work, both in health care and care settings but also in factories, farm work and food processing, warehouses, schools, offices, transportation among others. We must do everything possible to remove the barriers to those most at risk, having access to these life-saving vaccines. That includes paid leave and prioritizing those essential workers who cannot stay home to get their shot.

Saskatchewan has updated its Occupational Health and Safety Regulations to ensure a minimum of three consecutive hours of paid leave for workers to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. British Columbia also introduced job-protected, paid leave for workers to get the vaccine, so their jobs and paycheque are protected. Alberta also updated its employment standards code to provide three hours of job-protected leave for workers to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Public health officials and others in the medical community have been clear that with more contagious and deadly variants surging, the vaccine rollout alone will not be enough to stem this wave of the pandemic. Fifty-eight percent of Canadian workers have no access to paid sick days. That number jumps to 70 percent for low-wage workers. This is forcing workers to choose between going to work sick or not putting food on their own table. This failure is putting us all at risk and is prolonging and deepening the impacts of the pandemic.

There is no silver bullet to beating this virus. Addressing the ways in which the workplace is contributing to the pandemic is critical.

Prioritizing essential workers who cannot stay home to get the shot, along with paid leave to do so, while making sure workers have adequate paid sick leave to stem workplace transmission are critical steps that will help us come back together healthy, faster.

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“The devastating effects of the pandemic were made worse by years of austerity by successive governments,” said Hassan Yussuff, President of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC). “As a result of cuts, the social programs that would have helped sustain people were not in place. We cannot let that happen again.”

The CLC’s top five priorities for Budget 2021 include:

• A national, high-quality, public, accessible early learning and childcare system;
• Funding a national medicines formulary to establish a universal, national Pharmacare program;
• Green jobs and a Just Transition for workers;
• Improve working conditions and labour standards; and
• Fair tax reform.

“This government has promised to create one million jobs, and we need to focus on ensuring those are decent, sustainable jobs,” said Yussuff. “We also need to reform Employment Insurance so that it reflects the realities workers are facing today.”

Canada’s unions are further calling on the federal government to institute a $15 federal minimum wage and outline a plan to work with the provinces to enshrine paid sick leave across Canada.

The CLC also wants to see ambitious investments in skills training, literacy and apprenticeships, including targeted measures to help youth, women, equity-seeking groups and the long-term unemployed.

Job creation should also focus on expanding Just Transition measures, to help affected workers access training and support to transition to new jobs or retirement. For more details on what unions are asking for, read our pre-budget submission here and details on the top five priority demands here.

To arrange an interview, please contact:
CLC Media Relations
media@clcctc.ca
613-526-7426

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Statistics Canada released its latest Labour Force Survey today. It shows that more than 1.5 million unemployed and under-employed workers continue to struggle to find work, and thousands more have dropped out of the labour force altogether.

While February and March numbers showed strong job gains, the cresting of the Third Wave in April and subsequent lockdowns mean many of those gains could be lost.

“Following February’s achievements, a second month of strong job growth is welcome, but the federal government must stay the course and ensure a strong and broad-based recovery,” said Hassan Yussuff, President of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC). “We need to see strong fiscal support to bring people back into the job market, especially women and workers of colour, and into decent green and care-economy jobs.”

Last fall’s Speech from the Throne promised the largest investment in Canadian history in training. That investment is what Canada’s unions will be looking for in the federal budget on April 19.

Ambitious investments in training and education are much-needed over the short- and medium term to help workers affected by ongoing technological change. Unions want to see expanded investment in upskilling opportunities and targeted support for the 30% of jobless Canadians who count among the long-term unemployed.

“Now is the time for a rapid return to full employment and investing in improving job quality to help workers fully get back on their feet,” said Yussuff.

To arrange an interview, please contact:
CLC Media Relations
media@clcctc.ca
613-526-7426

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Before the pandemic, ever-increasing globalization meant many workers were employed in precarious, low-wage work with few, if any, benefits. Now millions of people across Canada and around the world have seen their jobs disappear. We need a worldwide recovery focused on secure employment and social protection.

This context serves as the backdrop for the annual commemoration of the World Day for Decent Work today, October 7.

“It’s clear that we need a recovery that is focused on shared prosperity and sustainability,” said Hassan Yussuff, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “Better jobs are at the core of a robust recovery and that is true both nationally and internationally.”

The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) is calling for a new social contract to ensure a strong global economic recovery. Canada’s unions have similarly launched Forward Together: A Canadian Plan, a campaign calling for a similar focus on better jobs and reducing inequality.

“With millions of jobs lost across Canada, and hundreds of millions globally, we have to turn our focus to job creation. That includes focusing on secure employment, living wages, the universal right to collective bargaining and occupational health and safety,” said Yussuff. “The current economic model has failed working people. It’s time for us to rise to the challenge we’ve been presented with and to move forward, together.”

The CLC is marking the World Day for Decent Work with a webinar that aims to explore the issues at stake. It will be held on Wednesday, October 7 at 2 PM EDT. To register, click here.

Read ITUC’s statement on A New Social Contract for Recovery and Resilience here.

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Forward Together: A Canadian Plan is a new campaign centred on ensuring that Canada is ready to disaster-proof our nation so that no one is left behind when crisis hits. The campaign will roll out digitally on various social media platforms and will encourage Canadians to engage with their elected representatives on key issues.

“There are important lessons to be learned from this pandemic and we have a real opportunity to strengthen our communities and to better protect one another,” said Hassan Yussuff, CLC President. “We have been able to withstand this pandemic by supporting each other, and that is the only way to move forward.”

Learning from the chaos seen in the United States, Canada’s unions will be pushing for a plan that focuses on:

• Replacing lost jobs with better ones
• Strengthening Canadian public health care
• Disaster-proofing our social safety net

“We need the government to reject calls for austerity and make real investments in our future. The only way to fix what’s broken is to invest,” said Yussuff. “Workers are key to the recovery. The federal government can help alleviate a lot of anxiety by investing in jobs, making long-term care part of public health care, supporting a child care strategy, and implementing national pharmacare.”

Canada’s unions are looking for targeted investments in green infrastructure, education and training, and care work.

“A strong economy is inextricably linked with strong social services that support workers and their families through bad times,” said Yussuff. “The United States is showing us what happens when we act like everyone is in it for themselves. We can and must do better.”

Go to www.canadianplan.ca to learn more about the campaign.

To arrange an interview, please contact:
CLC Media Relations
media@clcctc.ca
613-526-7426

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Canada’s unions believe the federal government should use the 2020-21 budget to set out clear plans and targets to address climate change and a Just Transition for workers, the ongoing child care crisis, and the implementation of National Pharmacare. The government must also commit to implementing the recommendations on the Expert Panel on Modern Federal Labour Standards.

You can read the Canadian Labour Congress’ full pre-budget submission here.

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“The announcement today by the U.S. President undermines the stated purpose and spirit of Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement,” said Hassan Yussuff, president of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC). “The Canadian government must provide support to affected workers while they work out this dispute. The government should respond swiftly with retaliatory actions.”

The United States previously imposed tariffs on Canadian aluminum and steel before the ratification of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). Canada’s unions fought for over a year to have them removed.

The imposition of tariffs for a second time is particularly offensive considering the newly renegotiated trade agreement entered into force on July 1^st.

“Canadian workers are not a prop for Donald Trump to use in his re-election campaign,” said Yussuff. “This is a clear affront. The federal government has to continue to forcefully stand up for Canadian workers and industry and must counter these unfair tariffs.”

To arrange an interview, please contact:
CLC Media Relations
media@clcctc.ca
613-526-7426

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“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 they need. It is critical that governments safeguard these services against bids towards privatization.”

The CLC Task Force on New Forms of Privatization report, For the Public Good: The growing threat of privatization and workers’ proposals to protect our future, calls on governments to:

• Strengthen and expand public services and infrastructure for all;
• Expand public revenue;
• Expand and enhance public services;
• End the financialization of and the facilitation of privatization globally; and
• Expand public control over infrastructure development.

“As important as public services have been during this pandemic, they will be even more important as we re-open and re-build our economy,” said Yussuff.

The report’s recommendations on strengthening and expanding public services and infrastructure are especially relevant in the post-COVID-19 era. The report contains immediate actions to address threats and provides a long-term vision to build a sustainable and equitable public sector.

Read the Summary Statement here.

Read the Full Report here.

For more information:
CLC Media Relations
media@clcctc.ca
613-526-7426

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“It is important that we recognize the significant economic contribution of domestic work  – work performed in or for a household or households – as valuable work, and acknowledge the effect that the current pandemic has had on these vulnerable workers,” said Hassan Yussuff, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “Many have lost work because employers are following public health guidelines on physical distancing or because their employers have lost income and can no longer afford these services.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has meant loss or reduction of income for many domestic workers, leaving them unable to support themselves and their families.

According to UN Women, 83 per cent of domestic workers worldwide are women, and a majority of those are racialized women. Wages are low and working conditions can be challenging – even abusive. The pandemic’s impacts are not gender neutral. There are increased demands on workloads with children at home from school, child care centres closed and more demands on household responsibilities in general.

Internationally, many domestic workers are migrants or part of the informal economy. In Canada, the pandemic has exacerbated the precarity of their situation, making them ineligible for government income supports. Moreover, migrant care workers should be granted fair and accessible pathways to citizenship in Canada.

“The pandemic has laid bare just how essential the labour of domestic workers is – cleaning, cooking, caring for children, the elderly and people with disabilities. All of this work is necessary to sustain our economy,” said Yussuff. “It is time we cared for those who care for us.”

Read more about Domestic Workers and COVID-19: https://idwfed.org/en/covid-19

Resources for Domestic Workers on COVID-19: https://idwfed.org/en/covid-19/the-idwf/educational-awareness/stay-safe-what-do-you-need-to-know-about-covid-19

Recommendations for employers, governments, and others: https://idwfed.org/en/covid-19/advocacy-to-the-target-groups

Read more on the campaign to Ratify C189: https://idwfed.org/en/campaigns/ratify-c189

Caregivers Action Centre: http://www.caregiversactioncentre.org/

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The economic fallout of COVID-19 is stark – and women are feeling the brunt of it.

Over 1.5 million women lost jobs over March and April, according to Statistics Canada. That’s a 17% drop in employment levels since February. Even with workplaces and services beginning to reopen, families will struggle to return to work without adequate child care in place.

Advocates, employers and policymakers alike fear that the burden of care will fall on women.

With Canadian women typically contributing about 40% of household income, there can be no full economic recovery without what economist Armine Yalnizyan has dubbed a “she-covery”.

Child care is key to making that possible.

It’s become clear that child care is a vital part of social infrastructure. Without child care, workers in women-dominated sectors that keep us healthy, safe and fed could not keep operating. This is why we saw several jurisdictions move quickly to make child care available to essential workers as a central component of their response efforts.

But that temporary solution is a far cry from what’s actually needed to address the gaping holes in a severely underfunded and fragmented system. It’s a system in which child care costs far too much for many families, and even when affordable, is highly competitive – sometimes with three or more children to every one licenced space.

As we begin to shape the new normal, child care must be at the heart of the post-COVID economy. Child care encourages participation in the labour market and is also an important source of employment for women – an economic driver in and of itself.

Investments in the care economy will largely pay for themselves as middle class families engage in greater labour-market participation, higher productivity, rising incomes, and increased tax revenue.

The federal government has the opportunity to spearhead a comprehensive pan-Canadian effort to build back better in the child care sector. Such a sector would ensure children have access to safe early learning and care and that parents are able to return to the paid labour force with relatively little worry.

In the short-term, the government will have to work with the provinces and territories to provide immediate funds to stabilize existing child care infrastructure.

The federal government has already committed to establishing a Federal Child Care Secretariat in order to help strengthen Canada’s social infrastructure.

The Secretariat will play a fundamental role in the reconstruction process, which will require long-term commitment and teamwork.

The Secretariat will also need to develop a workforce strategy to raise the quality of early learning in child care, improve working conditions for early childhood educators and oversee the expansion of the system.

Through collaboration, creativity and trust, we can take meaningful steps forward to ensure a robust economic recovery for all.

Hassan Yussuff is the president of the Canadian Labour Congress. Follow him on Twitter @Hassan_Yussuff
Goldy Hyder is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canada Business Council

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The current pandemic presents a monumental challenge in the fight to prevent workplace injury, illness and death. As Canadian jurisdictions begin to open up sectors of their economy, it is critical that working people have the protections they need to be able to do their jobs safely and to get home to their loved ones at the end of each day.

Workers are on the front lines of this pandemic and yet do not always have the protections they need to stay safe.

The first priority is to prevent worker exposures, illness and deaths from COVID-19. However, workers also need to know that their workers’ compensation system will provide adequate benefits and supports if they become ill as a result of their work.

This requires broadening coverage to include all workers – including those in workplaces currently exempt from mandatory compensation coverage, as well as precarious and gig economy workers.

It also requires ensuring coverage for workers who must be quarantined or have to self-isolate as a result of a workplace exposure but may not yet have symptoms of the illness. This will require streamlining processes for workers and protecting the right to appeal decisions. This will further require the removal of systemic financial incentives for employer claims suppression related to COVID-19 infections.

Governments should also implement presumptive compensation coverage for COVID-19 related illness, so that workers are not denied access to supports, waiting for their claims to be accepted.

So far, only the province of British Columbia has moved towards implementing presumptive compensation coverage for some frontline workers, recognizing that streamlining the process for accessing supports will result in better health outcomes and safer return to work for workers at higher risk of COVID-19 infection.

Other Canadian jurisdictions must move quickly to do the same in order to ensure that workers have the supports and compensation they need when their work makes them sick.

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Persons with disabilities – especially those living at the intersections of multiple marginalized identities – face high unemployment rates and high levels of poverty and need additional support during the COVID-19 crisis and after.

“The current health crisis has intensified the discrimination and stigma workers with disabilities were already facing,” said Larry Rousseau, Executive Vice-President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “Hard-won workplace accommodations are at risk when the office becomes virtual, and workers with disabilities are at a greater risk of being laid off or having their jobs furloughed.”

The Canadian Labour Congress is marking National AccessAbility Week to shine a light on the challenges faced by persons with disabilities, and those whose experiences are amplified by multiple marginalized identities, including being a woman, Indigenous, racialized and 2SLGBTQI, et al.

Canada’s unions have joined with disability rights organizations in the Include Me coalition, calling for a number of priorities to protect the health and safety and provide care and support to persons with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The federal government has yet to announce specific targeted income supports for persons with disabilities to navigate their unique financial impact of this crisis.

Unemployment rates are between 35 per cent for people with ‘mild’ disabilities and 74 per cent for people with ‘severe’ disabilities. High levels of poverty and unemployment means more reliance on affordable housing, income and health care supports – programs whose funding and availability vary greatly across the country.

“We are working together to ensure that Canada’s response to this crisis leaves no one behind,” said Rousseau. “We need to see targeted income supports for persons with disabilities to address the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis, and, in the longer-term, recovery planning must make accessibility and inclusion a core priority.”

For more information on on-going advocacy efforts from disability related organizations in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic, check out the Include Me coalition’s COVID-19 resource centre.

National AccessAbility Week was first introduced in 2019 after the implementation of the Accessible Canada Act, learn more about the history of the week here.

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“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 exposed to COVID-19 can self-quarantine without anxiety of lost wages.”

Canada’s unions have been calling for an increase in paid sick leave for years. Across the country mandated sick leave tends to be unpaid for most workers, leading many to work while sick. The rapid spread of COVID-19 has drawn attention to this issue. 

Guaranteed paid sick leave will allow workers to take time to self-isolate without worrying about paying their bills and in turn slow the spread of the virus. From the start of the COVID-19 crisis, the calls for paid sick leave have grown from the labour movement and by the NDP. Today’s announcement is the result of cooperation between the Liberal government and the NDP opposition.

“It is good to see parliament focus on working Canadians during this crisis,” said Yussuff. “We want to congratulate Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh for coming to a successful agreement on an important issue.”

Canada’s unions will look for the details of how this announcement will be implemented and continue to raise issues that affect workers during this crisis and once the recovery starts.

To arrange an interview, please contact:

CLC Media Relations
media@clcctc.ca
613-526-7426

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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 and to escape a less than accepting situation at home.

“COVID-19 has amplified the inequities in our society, including the discrimination faced by 2SLGBTQI peoples,” said Larry Rousseau, Executive Vice-President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “We may all be practicing social distancing, but that doesn’t mean marginalized communities are less impacted by the reality of homophobic, transphobic and biphobic intolerance and violence.”

As the first waves of lockdown hit communities across Canada, over 100 2SLGBTQI organizations sounded the alarm in a letter addressed to Canada’s federal government.

According to data collected by Egale, 53 per cent of Canada’s 2SLGBTQI households have been impacted by job losses since mid-March, compared to 39 per cent of the general population. Further, 42 per cent of 2SLGBTQI respondents to Egale’s recent survey said they have experienced negative mental health impacts due to the added stress, compared to 30 per cent of the general public.

“We need action from the federal government to support 2SLGBTQI organizations dealing with an increase in demand from community members struggling with a lack of resources due to the pandemic,” continued Rousseau. “We also need federal and provincial governments to mandate collection of disaggregated data across Canada to give health officials and policy makers a greater understanding of the disproportionate impact of this pandemic on marginalized communities, including 2SLGBTQI people.”

Learn more about the specific impacts of COVID-19 on 2SLGBTQI communities in Canada here, and learn more about the history of IDAHOBIT here.

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With unanimous consent of all parties, Bill C-14: A second Act respecting certain measures in response to COVID-19 passed during a special sitting at the House of Commons. The bill will now pass the Senate and receive Royal Assent by the end of the day.

The wage subsidy aims to make it easier for employers to retain staff during the COVID-19 crisis. Not only will it ease the financial strain on employers, it aims to help expedite the eventual economic recovery.

“Parliamentarians are clearly sensing the need to act decisively to protect jobs and to help keep Canadian households afloat,” said Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) President Hassan Yussuff. “This bill ensures that workers will continue to receive wages and also have access to workplace benefits in the short term.”

This subsidy will be made available to eligible companies, non-profits and charities, providing a benefit of up to $847 per week or 75 per cent of the employee’s prior weekly paycheque, whichever is less. The CLC is urging the government to enforce the expectation that employers make every effort to top up wages so that workers receive 100% of their pre-crisis pay.

The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy will also provide employers with a refund for certain contributions to Employment Insurance, the Canada Pension Plan, the Quebec Pension Plan, and the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan.

The CLC has been urging employers who have laid off workers to quickly reinstate them using this subsidy. Air Canada, for instance, is already working to rehire 16,500 employees.

“The next step is stronger support for essential workers, part-time employees and gig workers, so no one falls through the cracks,” said Yussuff.

For more information:
CLC Media Relations
media@clcctc.ca
613-526-7426

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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 points to 7.8 per cent, the largest single-month increase since comparable data became available in 1976.

“Today’s alarming unemployment numbers underscore the devastation this pandemic is having on workers and has made clear the enormous task in front of us,” said Hassan Yussuff, CLC’s president.

“Right now, working people need secure and adequate incomes, rent and mortgage relief, and a break on bank and credit card fees. The federal government’s commitment to increasing the Canada Child Benefit and expanding the GST/HST credit was welcomed news. As are the emergency benefits package and wage subsidy programs which are integral to preserving jobs and getting money to many of these workers. However, the scope of coverage simply needs to be broadened.”

The latest numbers highlight the impact of current efforts to curb coronavirus infections on communities across the country. Losses were concentrated in accommodation and food services where employment fell by 294,000 jobs, or 23.9 per cent compared to the previous month. Women and vulnerable workers have been hit hardest in this sudden downturn.

All provinces saw increases in the unemployment rate, with the exception of Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island. The largest increases were in Quebec (+3.6 percentage points to 8.1 per cent), British Columbia (+2.2 percentage points to 7.2 per cent) and Ontario (+2.1 percentage points to 7.6 per cent).

April employment numbers are expected to show even higher numbers of job losses. The critical need for social distancing will continue to impact the country’s economic well-being. Beyond that, it will take cross-sector efforts to ensure that a full, robust recovery benefits everyone.

“Economic recovery will take all orders of government, business and industry, workers and labour being at the same table building durable, long-term solutions. The CLC will continue to demand action to support the livelihoods of all workers in Canada, now and in the recovery to come,” said Yussuff.

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“The Bank of Canada has reduced its lending rate to historically low levels and that means it’s cheaper for financial institutions to borrow money,” said Canadian Labour Congress President, Hassan Yussuff. “Passing those saving on to help struggling families weather this storm is the right thing to do.”

The CLC is calling on all financial institutions to reducing interest rates on all purchases made after March 15th, and all balances carried forward from prior to that date, for the duration of the COVID-19 health crisis.

“This is a defining moment in our country’s history, and I am urging CEOs to step up and take action to support the common good,” said Yussuff.

The CLC is collecting signatures to put more pressure on the banks and credit card companies to respond to this call, you can sign on here.

A letter has also been sent from CLC to the CEOs of financial institutions asking them to take steps to reduce the debt families are facing.

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“It takes 16 months for women’s median earnings to catch up to what men make in twelve. We mark Equal Pay Day to draw attention to the continued realities of wage discrimination and gender inequality in our country,” said Marie Clarke Walker, Secretary Treasurer of the Canadian Labour Congress. “This year we must also recognize the gendered impact the COVID-19 crisis will have. The pandemic has exposed the lack of concrete protections for workers, especially for workers in sectors where women are often employed, and for women who work in low-wage and precarious jobs.”

The pandemic has demonstrated how important the work traditionally performed by women is to the maintenance of healthy and safe communities. Many undervalued workers have now been deemed essential, but these workers are still underpaid. Their work is often invisible and unrecognized, marked with poor working conditions, exposure to violence and harassment and other health and safety risks, limited job security and access to benefits, including paid sick leave.

“These workers are putting themselves and their families at risk so the rest of us can stay home to slow the spread of COVID-19,” said Clarke Walker. “Not only do these workers deserve higher wages, they should have predictable hours and job security, paid sick days and emergency leave, access to the equipment to do their job safely, support to meet their child care needs, and access to Employment Insurance and health benefits.”
“It’s time to usher in a new normal for our most vulnerable—and valuable—workers.”

According to the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, 13 percent of all working women in Canada are at risk of layoff, compared to nine percent of working men. Low-wage workers, who are disproportionately women, are most at risk.

Canada’s unions say that this is a time for bold, feminist action to recognize the value of women’s work and to end wage discrimination. Canada must make women’s economic justice a priority in the COVID-19 response and in the plan for recovery.

“This crisis has exposed who falls through the gaps in our system. The government has taken an important step with the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, but much more needs to be done to ensure that we leave no one behind as we respond to COVID-19. Every level of government must apply a gender-based analysis plus (GBA+) to how it’s responding to this crisis,” said Clarke Walker.

Join the cross-country Equal Pay Day Virtual Rally on April 4 at 1:00 p.m. by registering here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/9119266283687928587

To learn more about Equal Pay Day, go to the Ontario Equal Pay Coalition website.

Click to access the CLC COVID-19 Resource Centre.

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Canada’s unions have called on the provincial, territorial and federal governments to provide immediate income supports to workers affected by COVID-19 quarantine and closures. We have also called for employers to permit flexible working arrangements and provide paid sick leave while maintaining drug coverage.

Nationally, under the Canada Labour Code: 5 days of leave in a calendar year for sick leave or related to the health or care of any of their family members, includes 3 paid days after 3 months of continuous employment.

Yukon, under the Yukon Employment Standards Act: 1 unpaid day of sick leave every month the employee has been employed by that employer, less the number of days on which the employee has previously been absent due to illness or injury, up to a maximum of 12 days.

Northwest Territories: 5 unpaid days in each 12-month period for sick leave or family responsibility leave in a year after 30 continuous days of employment with the same employer.

Nunavut: Unclear.

British Columbia: 5 unpaid days of leave relating to the care or health of a child in the employee’s care or another member of the employee’s immediate family.

Alberta: 5 unpaid days of leave in a calendar year for sick leave, or for family care responsibilities after 90 days of employment with the same employer.

For COVID-19: 14 unpaid days of leave with no requirement of a specific term of employment or doctor’s note, retroactive to March 5, 2020. This applies to part-time and full-time workers but does not apply to the self-employed or contractors.

Saskatchewan: Under the Saskatchewan Employment Act, 0 days of paid leave and 12 days of unpaid sick leave or for the care of family members.

For COVID-19, an unspecified number of unpaid days of leave for isolation, quarantine or to care for dependents with no requirement for a medical note or for a specific employment period, and retroactive to March 6, 2020.

Manitoba: Under the Manitoba Employment Standards Code, 3 unpaid days of leave in a year for sick leave or for family care responsibilities after 30 days of employment with the same employer.

Ontario: Under the Ontario Employment Standards Act, 3 unpaid days of leave in a calendar year for a personal illness, injury or medical emergency after two consecutive weeks of employment with the same employer; 3 unpaid days of leave for illness, injury or medical emergency of a family member after two consecutive weeks with the same employer; and, 8 weeks of unpaid leave to provide care or support to a family member that has a serious medical condition.

For COVID-19, an unspecified number of unpaid days for those who are in isolation or quarantine, or those who need to be away from work to care for family and children because of school or daycare closures. These measures are retroactive to January 25, 2020, with no requirement for a specific period of employment or for a medical note.

Quebec: Under an Act Respecting Labour Standards, 2 paid days of leave to take care of a relative or person with whom they act as an informal caregiver or in the case of sickness after 3 months of employment; 10 days per year to fulfil obligations relating to the care, health or education of the employee’s child or the child of the employee’s spouse, or because of the state of health of a relative or a person for whom the employee acts as a caregiver and the first 2 days shall be paid according to a formula, and after 3 months of continuous employment.

For COVID-19: Residents of Quebec 18 and over who are isolating because they have symptoms or have tested positive, have been in contact with an infected person; or, have travelled outside of the country may be granted $573 per week for a period of 14 days of isolation or up to 28 days if justified, if they are not receiving compensation from their employer, private insurance or another government program. The order to self-isolate must be given by the Government of Canada, the Gouvernement du Quebec or another responsible authority. To apply, residents must register here.

New Brunswick: Under the New Brunswick Employment Standards Act, 5 unpaid days of leave in a calendar year for sick leave after 90 days of employment and 3 unpaid days of leave in a calendar year for family care responsibility leave.

Nova Scotia: Under the Nova Scotia Labour Standards Code, 3 unpaid days of leave in a year for leave due to the sickness of a child, parent or family member; or for medical, dental or other similar appointments during working hours.

Prince Edward Island: Under the Prince Edward Island Employment Standards Act, 3 unpaid days of leave in a calendar year for sick leave after 3 months of continuous employment; 1 paid day of leave in a calendar year, in addition to any unpaid leave that the worker is entitled to, after five continuous years of employment; and, 3 unpaid days of leave in a calendar year for family care responsibility leave after six continuous months with the same employer.

Newfoundland and Labrador: Under the Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Standards Act, 7 unpaid days of leave for sick leave or family responsibility leave in a year after 30 continuous days of employment with the same employer.

The post Sick Leave Across Canada appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

Representing 40,000 employees, Canada’s airline unions participating in the meeting included the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Unifor, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW), the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) Canada, the Air Canada Pilots Association (ACPA) as well as the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC).

“A key priority for today’s call was to ensure that front-line aviation employees still working have the appropriate personal protective equipment,” said CLC President Hassan Yussuff. “This includes pre-board screeners, flight crews, and passenger agents who are working to ensure the safety of both employees and the travelling public.”

Union leaders urged the federal government to consider measures similar to those in U.S. Congress where affected airline and airport workers are to be provided top-up benefits similar to those in U.S. Congress where 80% of wages are guaranteed. The Unions also proposed that employers extend health benefit plans and ensure pensionable service is accrued under retirement plans. Moreover, they also wanted to ensure that any federal aid allows laid-off employees to return to payroll and maintains employment levels.

Unions also asserted that any government support be accompanied by tight restrictions on executive compensation. This includes bonuses and stock options, share buybacks and dividend payments, as well as debt repayment designed to increase shareholder value.

“Air travel is a vital part of Canada’s transportation network and economy, and the success of any federal financial aid package will require worker supports,” added Yussuff. “Canada’s unions welcome the federal government’s efforts to work with Labour to ensure the airline industry will continue to flourish into the future.”

To arrange an interview, please contact:

CLC Media Relations
media@clcctc.ca
613-526-7426

CUPE
Philippe Gagnon
613-894-0146

UNIFOR
Hamid Osman
Hamid.Osman@unifor.org
647-448-2823

IAMAW
Frank Saptel
fsaptel@iamaw.org
416-386-1789

ALPA
media@alpa.org

ACPA
Kym Robertson
krobertson@acpa.ca

The post Canada’s unions deliver clear priorities for federal airline relief package appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

Income support will be critical to minimizing the economic impact of COVID-19.

In addition, the Canadian Labour Congress is calling on all governments and employers to take every step necessary to protect the health and well-being of workers, including health care workers who are on the frontlines of this public health emergency. These measures include:

1. Permitting flexible work arrangements, telecommuting, video and teleconferencing, ending non-essential travel, and postponing unnecessary meetings and events.
2. Providing paid sick leave under short-term disability and sick leave plans while maintaining drug coverage.
3. Providing 14 days paid sick leave for workers under prevailing federal, provincial and territorial labour standards to cover the quarantine period. 
4. Waiving any requirement for a doctor’s note to permit sick leave.
5. Prohibiting coronavirus testing as a condition of continued employment.
6. Working with Service Canada to take full advantage of the improved EI Work-Sharing Program to minimize layoffs.
7. Working closely with health and safety committees and unions to provide accurate and timely information to employees about accessing benefits and support.
8. Providing compassionate care and bereavement leave support to employees, as well as mental health counselling and support.
   

   Specific to health care workers, employers should, among other things:

    

9.  Provide an adequate supply of appropriate N95 respirators on hand as well as PAPR (for aerosol-generating procedures, e.g. intubation) and other personal protective equipment.
10. Conduct a risk assessment to determine all points of potential entry (and how to restrict them) and other points of potential exposure for workers (e.g. screening, triage, isolation rooms).

The post Supporting workers in a time of crisis: Key steps for governments and employers appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

“We continue to share our recommendations with the federal government as this situation progresses. While there has been an important move in easing measures around Employment Insurance (EI) benefits, the government will need to go much further to protect the most vulnerable,” said Hassan Yussuff, President of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC).

After decades of cuts, Canada’s unemployment safety net is wholly inadequate and paid sick leave policies across the country are insufficient.

In 2018, only 33 per cent of unemployed women and 38 per cent of unemployed men received EI benefits. Seasonal workers, those with precarious employment and the self-employed are most vulnerable and will require urgent support.

“While we acknowledge the important measures all levels of governments are taking to ease the burden on the business community to help save jobs in the private sector, more must be done to assist front-line workers in health care fields who are vital in the fight against COVID-19,” said Yussuff.

Further, CLC urges the federal government to:

• Reduce the entry requirement for EI regular and sickness benefits;
• Immediately increase the current benefit rate from 55 per cent to 60 per cent;
• Establish an emergency benefit with a low minimum contribution requirement to support otherwise ineligible workers;
• Implement regulations to waive the requirement that claimants obtain a doctor’s note if they require quarantine;
• Make additional government funds available to provide special income relief for health sector workers who may be subject to quarantine or who become sick;
• Instruct utilities, banks, landlords, credit card companies and financial institutions to extend and relax mortgage, rent and bill payment requirements, loan servicing obligations, and other responsibilities facing consumers and households;
• Work with First Ministers to declare that no one be fired for self-quarantining or recovering from infection, and that if a worker loses their job for these reasons, they will be reinstated;
• Double the GST/HST credit to provide income support to low-income Canadians; and
• Increase the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) paid to low- and modest-income families.

“Single and vulnerable parents living paycheck to paycheck are going to struggle to pay rent and utilities if they have to scale back hours and turn down shifts to deal with the child care crisis. We know that these measures will disproportionately affect women.

“All across Canada, working people have been listening to public health authorities and doing their part to slow the spread of COVID-19—it is now time for Canada to support them.”

Read more: Supporting workers in a time of crisis — Key steps for governments and employers.

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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 a strong desire to bargain with their employer to get back to work,” said CLC President Hassan Yussuff. “Today, I’m calling on CLC’s affiliates to extend their support to these workers, and pressure the employer to bargain in good faith. It’s time to end this lockout.”

Executives at Federated Co-operatives Limited locked out Unifor Local 594 members on December 5, 2019. The dispute deepened through the use of replacement workers and picket lines.

“Over the last 60 days, this protracted dispute has not only harmed refinery workers, but the broader Regina community and needs to end,” added SFL President Lori Johb. “Regina area families, farmers and Co-op members have suffered enough. The community is frustrated and wants this lockout over.”

For more information and to set up an interview, please contact:

media@clcctc.ca
613-526-7426

The post Canada’s unions join Unifor’s call to end 60-day lockout appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

“Canada’s unions know the sacrifice it takes for workers to stand against an unreasonable employer,” said CLC President Hassan Yussuff. “The arrest of Unifor Local 594 workers on the picket line, including Unifor President Jerry Dias, is unacceptable. It is time for this lockout to end.”

Following the nationwide call for solidarity by Unifor leadership, Canada’s labour movement is answering in support of all workers. The escalation of this labour dispute through the use of replacement workers and last night’s arrests, signal that it is time for this lockout to end.

“Here we have a wealthy and powerful employer who makes billions in profits annually, locking out workers over pension concessions. The disrespect and unreasonable demands need to end,” added SFL President Lori Johb. “We understand the Co-op Refinery workers’ frustration and want to reaffirm that our support will be steadfast and ongoing.”

For more information and to set up an interview, please contact:

media@clcctc.ca
613-526-7426

The post Canada’s unions stand in solidarity with Co-op refinery workers appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

Members of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario, the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association, and the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation have overwhelmingly voted to stand up and fight for publicly-funded education.

Teachers and education workers are speaking for frustrated parents, fed up with growing class sizes and dramatic cuts to teaching staff. They are standing with students, who are facing a loss of access to course options and programs. They are sticking up for Ontario’s vulnerable and at-risk learners, who will be hit hardest by Doug Ford’s spending cuts. They are championing early learning by defending Ontario’s full-day kindergarten program and its unique and successful mix of teacher and early childhood educator expertise.

Doug Ford does not have the courage to own up to the scale and destructiveness of his cuts. He hopes that spin and blatant falsehoods will fool Ontarians.

Parents, teachers, education workers, students and voters have had enough. By undermining publicly-funded education and attacking our schools, the Ford government is jeopardizing the future of our children and Ontario’s economy.

Not only has the Ford government attempted to weaken the foundations of publicly-funded education, they have shown contempt for free and fair collective bargaining, most recently with Bill 124, which tramples the Charter rights of Ontario public sector employees.

The unions of the CLC demand the Ford government cease its assault on publicly-funded education, listen to the needs of parents, students, and education workers, and get serious about negotiating a fair settlement with these affiliates.

The unions of the CLC pledge to:

• Stand in solidarity with, and support, Ontario teachers and education workers;
• Stand in defense of high-quality publicly-funded education;
• Defend teachers and education workers against the Ford government’s attacks; and
• Recommit our efforts to fight for students and high-quality publicly-funded education.

The CLC represents over three million workers and brings together Canada’s national, international and provincial unions, along with the provincial and territorial federations of labour and 107 district labour councils, whose members work in virtually all sectors of the Canadian economy, in all occupations and in all parts of Canada.

The post Statement on educational sector collective bargaining in Ontario appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

The World Day for Decent Work is a global day of action for trade unions around the world. The theme for 2019, Investing in care for gender equality, recognizes that work in the care sector remains significantly undervalued, despite a growing demand.

The majority of workers who provide care for children, sick or elderly adults or people with disabilities are women. Many care workers are racialized, new to Canada, or working here temporarily.

Canada’s low investment in care, with the expectation that women will care for loved ones, unpaid, is a huge barrier to increasing women’s workforce participation, to tackling the gender pay gap and to achieving equality between women and men at work and in society.

Care work is characterized by poor pay and bad working conditions. These jobs are often precarious, offer little to no benefits or job security, involve long hours and heavy, challenging workloads.

Workers in the care sector experience astonishingly high rates of violence and harassment, including physical and sexual violence. Many care jobs are informal, leaving workers without the protection of employment or health and safety legislation, access to employment insurance or CPP.

A task force on care work would:

• Examine paid and unpaid care work;
• Develop a federal strategy to meet the increasing demands for care;
• Reduce and redistribute women’s unpaid care work by improving access to public care services; and
• Create a labour market strategy for care jobs.

Investing in the care economy by providing universal and affordable access to care services would double down on the benefits to gender equality in Canada – by creating good jobs for women with fair compensation and safe, decent working conditions, and by making it possible for more women to get a decent job and support their families.

Without a significant investment in our already-stretched public care services, women will most likely be left to pick up the slack.

It’s time to build and grow the care sector and promote decent work for care workers.

The post Investing in care for gender equality appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

You can be forgiven if you’ve avoided thinking about the upcoming federal election all summer, but Labour Day is here. That means it’s time to return to the fall routine and start thinking about how you are going to cast your ballot.

You may have seen politicians working the barbecue circuit, vying for the support of workers and their families. They often claim to know what voters need. Let’s tell them what voters want.

After all, voting for the country we want is both a cherished right, and a significant responsibility.  And it’s under threat.

Lies, misinformation, and propaganda proliferating online are dividing and distracting people like never before.

We know that domestic and foreign actors will likely continue to foment division through contentious topics like immigration and the environment. We must remain united and focused on what truly matters: a present and future that leaves no one behind.

Not only are we facing an uncertain future, but the strides working people have made in the last four years are also in jeopardy. 

Canada’s unions are cutting through the noise with a simple message to voters: Canadians must elect a government that is committed to a fair Canada for everyone.

This is much more than a slogan but a clear call to action on five key areas that will shape the future of this country. Each of them centre on the health and well-being of Canadians.

Canada’s unions have successfully worked with governments and health experts to make universal pharmacare a ballot box issue this fall.

That’s because over 3.5 million Canadians struggle to pay for the medications they need. Private insurers and pharmaceutical companies have a vested interest in preserving a status quo that sees Canadians paying some of the highest drug prices in the world. Canada remains the only developed country with universal health care, without a universal pharmacare plan. A single-payer system would rein in drug prices and save Canadians over four billion dollars per year, according to the Parliamentary Budget Officer.

Also key to the well-being of Canadians is the assurance that they will be able to live in dignity in retirement. Following the Conservative party’s defeat in the last federal election, Canada’s unions lobbied for an expansion of public pensions and won a 50% increase to Canada Pension Plan benefits, along with top-up payments for 900,000 low-income single seniors and the restoration of Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement for those over the age of 65, down from 67.

We need a government that is committed to improving public pensions and protecting hard-earned private pensions when employers go bankrupt. 

We also need to talk about the economic health of our nation’s working people. With a rise in precarious, temporary, and low-wage work, more and more people are struggling to get by. We need to vote for a government that clearly defines what it will invest towards creating good jobs for all Canadians.

It’s also time for bold action that tackles our climate emergency while creating economic opportunities in green industries. We deserve a government that is committed to clean air and water, invests in public transportation, and supports workers and communities transitioning to a greener economy.

With hardline Conservative governments now running the majority of the provinces, we cannot forget what a decade of Stephen Harper’s Conservatives did to working people and their families and risk the rollback of hard-won social gains and the rewriting of the Canadian constitution.

Can Canadians afford a government that cares more about private corporations and tax cuts for the super-rich than it does about everyday working people? Can we risk electing a government that refuses to address the climate catastrophe? Can we accept a government that is prepared to exploit people’s fear and insecurity to fuel racism and intolerance?

This Labour Day, let’s recommit to standing together for an inclusive Canada where everyone prospers.

Hassan Yussuff is the President of the Canadian Labour Congress. Follow him on Twitter @Hassan_Yussuff.

The post Working families have a lot at stake this election appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

That means unions will be calling on Canadian workers to vote for candidates who support universal pharmacare, retirement security, climate action, equity and inclusion, and good jobs for everyone.

“Over the last four years, our work has resulted in impressive gains: expanding public pensions, protecting victims of domestic violence, investing billions in infrastructure projects, banning asbestos, and making pay equity the law,” said Hassan Yussuff, President of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC).

“While these have been substantial victories, we are only getting started. Low wages, precarious work and underemployment continue to hurt too many Canadians; fear and insecurity are fueling racism and intolerance, and climate change threatens the survival of our planet.”

“We will do our part to mobilize Canadians to choose candidates who will make Canada more fair for workers and their families,” said Yussuff.

“We will be urging every candidate to commit to creating good jobs. We will be pushing the political parties for climate action for a sustainable planet. We will be challenging hate and divisiveness with equity and inclusion.”

By launching a national campaign, “A Fair Canada for Everyone”, the CLC will be working with labour councils, federations of labour and unions across the country to advance the issues at stake for workers and their families.

“Labour Day is a national reminder that workers can come together to improve workplaces and communities, so it is a fitting time to launch our election campaign for a fair Canada for everyone,” adds Yussuff.

To read details about what unions are calling for in this election, visit faircanadaforeveryone.ca

The post Labour Day 2019: Unions seek to put fairness on the ballot appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

The ban was imposed after Chinese customs inspectors detected a prohibited feed additive in a batch of pork shipments labelled as Canadian. The Canada Food and Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed the certificates were fraudulent and an investigation is currently underway.

“The Canadian meat industry is one of Canada’s core economic sectors, employing hundreds of thousands of workers across the country. The ban will affect not only those workers directly employed in the industry, but will be felt all along the value chain by workers in supporting industries,” said CLC President Hassan Yussuff.

In the first four months of 2019, beef and veal exports to China accounted for 6.1 per cent of Canada’s total, an increase of 344 per cent year over year. Pork exports to China accounted for 22.7 per cent of the total, an increase of 80 per cent. China was the fifth-largest destination for Canadian beef and veal and the third-largest destination for Canadian pork.

“We urge the federal government and the CFIA to work closely with the Chinese government to address their concerns around the meat export supervision system and to bring the matter to a swift resolution,” said Yussuff.

Canada’s unions are also calling on the government to introduce a robust and sustainable mechanism to protect workers in industries affected by global trade volatility. The ban on Canada’s meat exports comes on the heels of stricter inspections at Chinese ports and selective bans on farm exporters, which have seen canola, pea and soybean exports to China plummet.

“In this context of increasingly unpredictable trade tensions, workers need to feel confident that their livelihoods are protected. Moving forward, the government must work with the labour movement to establish a concrete plan for safeguarding jobs and incomes in Canada’s export industries,” Yussuff added.

The post Federal government must protect workers following export ban appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

After over a year of negotiations with governments, employers, and workers, the Centenary International Labour Conference adopted the new framework at its convention in Geneva.

“It is a historic day,” said CLC’s Secretary-Treasurer Marie Clarke Walker, who served as Worker Vice-Chair for the negotiations. “We set out to draft a standard that would stand the test of time, that would carry us forward into the next century of the ILO, and would meet the challenges of the future world of work.”

The ILO is a United Nations agency whose mandate is to advance social justice and promote decent work by setting international labour standards.

The ILO Convention and Recommendation set out clear policies, grounded in social dialogue and requiring an integrated, gender-responsive approach to the prevention and elimination of violence and harassment in the world of work. The Convention is legally binding, while the Recommendation provides advice.

“I truly believe what you have before you today are texts that we can all be proud of – instruments that are both ground-breaking and visionary, but also practical and actionable,” said Clarke Walker in a speech to delegates at the conference.

“Having a global minimum standard to prevent and address violence and harassment in the world of work will bring hope to millions of workers – hope that a world of work free from violence and harassment is possible,” she added.

Canada’s unions congratulate Clarke Walker and all of the participants in the standard-setting process.

“This is a great achievement,” said Hassan Yussuff, CLC President. “Now that we have secured this ground-breaking convention, we urge Canada to be among the first countries to ratify. We stand ready to ensure its effective implementation, so everyone can fully enjoy the right to work free from violence and harassment.”

Read the full text of the new Convention and Recommendation here.

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One thousand members of USW have been locked out of their workplace at an aluminum smelter in Bécancour, Quebec for the past 17 months.

Over the spring of 2019, Quebec’s Premier François Legault made numerous public statements favouring ABI, the employer, and undermining the union representing ABI workers.

The USW lodged a formal complaint with the International Labour Organization (ILO), a United Nations agency whose mandate is to advance social justice and promote decent work by setting international labour standards. Canada has been a signatory to ILO Convention 87 – Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise – for over 45 years and, in 2017, Canada ratified ILO Convention 98 on the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining.

In a letter to the ILO sent on June 19, 2019, CLC’s President Hassan Yussuff writes that, “The CLC supports the USW position that the Government of Quebec, through the public statements made by its leader and official representative, Premier François Legault, interfered in negotiations in the 17-month lockout at the aluminum smelter in Bécancour, co-owned by multi-national aluminum giants Alcoa and Rio Tinto.”

Click here to read the CLC’s full letter.

The post Canada’s unions stand with locked out steelworkers in Quebec appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

“The Task Force worked to put people and communities at the heart of climate policy by developing ten practical and concrete recommendations on how to support affected workers and communities through the transition away from coal-fired electricity, with worker involvement and local decision making at the centre,” said Hassan Yussuff, President of the Canadian Labour Congress.

Co-chaired by Yussuff, the Task Force’s mandate was to provide the federal government with recommendations for how to support a just and fair transition for Canadian coal workers and communities, as Canada meets its commitment to transition away from coal-powered electricity by 2030. It has been working since April 2018 and included strong representation from labour, as well as a former employer in the coal-power sector, a councillor from an affected municipality, and experts in workforce transitions and sustainable development.

“I want to thank the workers and community members who met with the Task Force. Learning about their jobs and their communities and hear directly about what they need to make this transition away from coal-fired power a just transition was key to crafting these recommendations,” said Yussuff.

The task force met with workers and federal, provincial and municipal governments and other stakeholders in communities with coal power facilities across the four affected provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.

“It has been an honour to serve as a co-chair for this task force and look forward to working with the government to ensure meaningful action on implementing these much needed recommendations,” said Yussuff. “Canada’s unions will be watching next week’s federal budget for signs that the government will support workers and their communities as Canada works to address climate change.”

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In the four years since the release of the first-ever pan-Canadian study on the impact of domestic violence at work, unions, employers and governments have embarked on a remarkable joint project to help protect jobs and promote workplace safety.

We now have a common understanding of the magnitude of this problem and we must work together to support workers, mostly but not exclusively women, who are experiencing domestic violence. The evidence is clear. Domestic violence affects attendance, productivity, and retention. It follows people to work and puts jobs and safety at risk.

While it’s not the role of employers or unions to eliminate such a complex societal problem, workplaces can have an effect on how a worker is able to respond. The money a woman earns through employment can help her from becoming trapped and isolated in violent relationships, and ensures she can support herself and her children should she decide to leave.

And while not every abusive relationship will escalate to serious injury or death, it happens to women far too frequently – and workplace safety is at risk for her and potentially for her colleagues, as an abuser may look for their target at work.

That’s why, together, governments, employers and unions are taking action. The first step was passing Bill C-65, which clearly recognizes harassment and violence as a workplace hazard. The federal government has provided workers with job-protected, paid domestic violence leave. Employers and unions have negotiated additional paid leave and other workplace supports and accommodations. Unions have built a series of educational tools to better equip union representatives and promote awareness among members.

Our next step is to develop strong regulations on workplace violence that clearly lay out the steps that workplaces should take to respond to domestic violence at work, to manage and reduce risk, and to support workers who are affected. This work should build on positive steps that have already been taken across many organizations.

We are embarking now on a collective effort to promote awareness and ensure that workplaces are prepared.

With support from the Government of Canada, FETCO and the Canadian Labour Congress have partnered with the Centre for Research & Education on Violence against Women & Children at Western University to provide practical, workplace solutions including policies, tools and training materials that clearly delineate employer responsibilities related to domestic violence in the new harassment and violence regulations.

By promoting greater awareness about domestic violence, we hope to challenge the stigma and break the silence that enables the violence to continue – and which can put everyone at the workplace at risk if an abuser’s behaviour escalates.

Abusers seek control over the woman in their life, and isolation is a tool to keep the woman separate from others. People stay silent when they witness or suspect that someone close to them may be experiencing abuse for many reasons. Sometimes it’s uncertainty about whether what is happening is actually abuse. Maybe it’s not understanding how risky a situation really is. It might be that we don’t want to embarrass our co-worker by putting her on the spot, or we think the person is capable of handling it. Or maybe we just aren’t sure what we can do to help.

Breaking the silence is the critical first step for a woman to end the abuse she is experiencing. By giving workers, managers, human resource staff and union representatives tools they need to recognize the warning signs of domestic violence, we can better support and empower people experiencing abuse to safely speak with their friends and co-workers.

Clear workplace policies will be essential to helping manage risk and respond to specific situations. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to addressing domestic violence at work. Each worker will need different supports, and their situation and risk may change over time. But with better awareness and access to training and other resources, we are confident that workplaces will be better prepared to respond, keeping everyone safer, healthier and more productive.

Hassan Yussuff is the President of the Canadian Labour Congress, Derrick Hynes is the President and CEO of the Federally Regulated Employers – Transportation and Communications (FETCO), and the Honourable Patty Hajdu is the Federal Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour.

The post When government, employers & unions take domestic violence seriously appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

Mike Harris’ plan to overhaul Ontario’s education system did not entirely go as planned. Introduced as the Education Quality Improvement Act, Bill 160 was a massive, 226 page plan to radically centralize power in the hands of the Minister of Education and the Cabinet, and then impose standards that had previously been set in the collective agreements negotiated by school boards with their local teachers and their unions. It imposed more work, with less time to do it as the government secretly planned to slash education spending.

Ontario’s teachers walked out in protest.

At the time, the protest was the largest work action by teachers in North American history, involving 126,000 teachers. Picket lines were set up across the province. Demonstrations took place at schools, on the streets, and at the offices of Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs). Teachers and their unions organized mass rallies, including one on the front lawn of the legislature at Queen’s Park that drew thousands.

The government responded with a propaganda campaign, spending millions on television ads in an attempt to label the protest as an “illegal strike” and teacher unions as selfish “special interests” – but people were not buying it. One week into the protest, a poll found 63% of Ontarians wanted the government to scrap its reforms.

Harris’ attempt to have the protest declared an illegal strike by the courts also struck‑out when judges ruled that the teachers’ action was a legitimate protest. He responded by threatening back-to-work legislation to silence and punish the teachers instead.

After two weeks away from work, many teachers felt they had made their point and voted to end the strike.

No, they had not stopped the government’s plans to shift power away from local school boards, but they had won over public opinion. Talking with students, parents and media, the teachers and their unions exposed hidden aspects of the government’s agenda – plans to lay off teachers and cut education budgets that Harris himself had denied during the election campaign.

The solidarity shown by Ontario’s unions in support of the teachers and their protest also planted the seeds of future resistance to the ideologically driven austerity agenda that was at the heart of the Harris CSR.

Canada’s unions have a long history of standing up to the unfairness of government austerity, especially the ferocious and cult-like austerity seen in the 1990s under conservative-minded governments lead by Mike Harris in Ontario, Ralph Klein in Alberta and more recently under Liberal governments in British Columbia and Nova Scotia.

Funding tax cuts for wealthy investors and powerful interests by slashing public spending on health care, education, public infrastructure and social programs is an old corporate trick. So is undermining the unions, journalists, public institutions and social movements that stand up against them.

The 1997 Ontario teachers’ protest was a moment when people stood up and said enough. While it did not stop the government, it made them blink and it woke people up.

The post After 2 weeks in the streets, Ontario teachers end their historic mass protest. appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

Introducing a new Pay Equity Act will bring in long-awaited legislation requiring federally-regulated employers to create proactive pay equity plans that will begin to address Canada’s gender wage gap. The government also announced the establishment of a Pay Equity Commissioner to independently oversee implementation and hold employers accountable.

“Canada’s unions have been fighting for proactive pay equity legislation for over a decade and we’re glad to see the government take meaningful action to close Canada’s shameful gender pay gap,” said CLC President, Hassan Yussuff.

For all federally-regulated employers with ten or more workers, the new legislation will adapt existing compliance frameworks to include pay equity, and set out specific timelines for implementation and compulsory maintenance reviews.

Changes to Part III of the Canada Labour Code were also included in the omnibus bill, and are being heralded by Canada’s unions as an important modernization of federal labour standards in Canada. These changes will restrict exploitation by prohibiting employers from misclassifying workers and paying them less, simply because they work for a temp agency or on a part-time, casual or term basis.

Canada’s unions were also pleased with new measures that will prevent employers from using contract flipping as a means of undermining the wages, benefits, and job security of workers.

“The Canada Labour Code used to be upheld as the gold standard across the Country but federal labour standards were significantly eroded over a decade by the Harper government,” said Yussuff. “Providing additional vacation time and leave provisions, as well as new scheduling notice protections, are important steps that will lift employment standards for Canadian workers,” said Yussuff.

After an intensive campaign by Canada’s unions, survivors of domestic violence working in the federal sector will now receive five days of paid leave. This will help to set a national standard as many provinces move to allow people experiencing violence at home to seek the support and services they need to help keep themselves and their children safe.

“Canada’s unions will continue to push to elevate labour standards for everyone working in Canada,” said Yussuff. “Along with this week’s announcements, immediate action to establish a $15 federal minimum wage would raise the bar across the country.”

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“We support the federal government’s counter-tariffs as a retaliation to the American bullying tactics. Trump’s tariffs will be damaging to workers on both sides of the border. Unions welcome the Canadian government’s rapid response in defense of Canadian workers as an important first step in protecting workers and communities who will be adversely affected by this misguided attack on Canadian industry,” said CLC President Hassan Yussuff.

In particular, the CLC welcomes the following steps announced today:

• Measures that aim to reduce lay-offs by extending the maximum period for Work-Sharing agreements from 38 weeks to 76 weeks;
• Expanded access to retraining and skills development programs to help workers transition to new jobs;
• Federal loans and loan guarantees from the Business Development Bank of Canada and Export Development Canada to help companies in the short and medium term; and
• Investments to diversify export markets overseas and promote the diversification of the steel and aluminum products sectors in Canada.

“The steel and aluminum industries are vital suppliers to the Canadian manufacturing, energy, automotive and construction sectors. Today’s announcement is a good first step to counter the impact of unreasonable U.S. trade demands on workers in Canada. We look forward to working closely with the government to implement further supports for workers as needed,” said Yussuff.

Such additional supports could include an extension of Employment Insurance benefits, wage insurance or “targeted earnings supplements” for workers who find new jobs that pay less, and enhanced mobility assistance, to help workers who have to move or extend their commute to work.

Yussuff also expressed his continued support of immediate action on anti-dumping measures, and advised that the federal government work closely with their provincial and territorial counterparts to develop more robust and targeted training options.

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“I am pleased to see Canada respond so quickly and decisively to defend Canadian workers and industry against President Trump’s bullying tactics. Canada cannot waver in its defence of balanced trade,” said CLC President Hassan Yussuff.

Today, Canada announced plans to stand up to sweeping American tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Canada. Canada’s plans include new surtaxes and other targeted measures on steel, aluminum and other imports from the U.S. amounting to $16.6 billion, the value of total Canadian exports of steel and aluminum to the U.S. in 2017. These surtaxes are set to take effect on July 1^st, 2018 and will remain in place until U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs are dropped.

“Trump’s aggressive trade provocations against Canada are a totally unjustified and unwarranted sanction against a fair-trading ally,” said Yussuff. “The implications of Trump’s tariffs will be felt on both sides of the border, but in Canada, it will impact the lives of more than 20,000 workers directly employed by the industry, and another 100,000 indirectly employed workers.”

Every year, Canada exports $6 billion worth of steel products to the U.S., and, because of the integrated nature of the North American steel industry, imports steel products of the same value from the U.S. Last year, Canada exported $9.3 billion worth of aluminum products to the United States. Canada’s steel industry is also responsible for millions of dollars worth of research and development throughout the economy.

“Unfair and one-sided trade tactics cannot be allowed to undermine Canadian workers and industry,” said Yussuff. “In the days and weeks ahead, Canada’s unions will be calling on the Canadian and provincial governments to assist Canadian workers and steel and aluminum manufacturers who will need support to maintain their livelihoods and stay in business until this dispute can be resolved.”

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Unions exist to help working people get organized and stand together to win a better deal for their families and their communities. Workers know that fairness is won through unity – with one another in their union local and with other locals in their union. They also need to support workers in other unions through solidarity. Often this means respecting and joining picket lines, boycotts and other actions aimed at pressuring employers. But sometimes it means joining the strike.

The origins of the Common Front can be traced back to the 1971 La Presse strike. In response to draconian anti-worker measures on the part of the Quebec government and Paul Desmarais, the new owner of La Presse, workers from several different unions joined in solidarity with the striking La Presse workers. A march of 12,000 demonstrators in support of the strikers was brutally suppressed by police, leading to riots that wounded many and resulted in the killing of Michele Gauthier, a student activist. The shared experience of the police riot created common ground for the coming together of normally competitive and divided unions.

The Common Front of 1972 was an alliance between the Confederation of National Trade Unions, the Quebec Federation of Labour, and the Quebec Teachers Corporation, as well as several smaller unions to present a united set of demands during negotiations with the provincial government. It represented 210,000 out of 250,000 public employees (84%) and demanded: an 8% increase in wages, job security, increased control over working conditions to better service provision, and a $100 per week minimum wage regardless of race, sex, religion, or job sector. When the government was unwilling to cede to these demands, the Common Front struck, and on April 11, 1972, 210 000 workers walked off the job.

The government of Robert Bourassa had ridden the swelling wave of change that was sweeping Quebec society to win power in the 1970 election. Faced with economic turmoil and the new political threat of the nationalist Parti Québecois, Bourassa’s Liberals (and the political establishment they represented) feared being scuttled. The wave needed breaking.

The province targeted its hospital workers, obtaining 61 injunctions, which the workers ignored. The response was harsh: 13 low-paid workers were jailed for 6 months and fined $5000 each (about a year’s pay) and their union was fined $70,600. Overall, 103 workers were sentenced to a total of 24 years and fined half a million dollars during a few days.

On April 21, the provincial government passed Bill 19. The new law forced unionized workers back to work and banned all fundamental trade union rights for two years. When the leaders of the Common Front – Louis Laberge, Marcel Pépin and Yvon Charbonneau – urged workers to defy the law, they were arrested, and each was sentenced to a year in jail.

“That’s the justice system,” said Brother Laberge, “while big corporations are fined $75 or $500 for polluting our rivers, killing people or breaking the law, we – the criminals – must got to jail for exercising a right – the right to strike.”

The profound unfairness of sending the three men to jail triggered popular outrage across Quebec’s working class. Over the month of May, work stoppages broke out across the province in public and private workplaces – construction and metal workers, miners, machinists, auto and textile workers, salespeople, print-shop employees, the staff of major news media, teachers and some hospital workers.

In towns like Sept-Îles, Thedford, Sorel and Joliette, the strike was profound, with people talking about the strikers “occupying” and “being in control of” workplaces. Radio and television stations were occupied by the union members, who broadcast their messages.

The massive scale of the public revolt forced the government to back down. The labour leaders were released from jail after serving four months and many of the Common Front’s demands were agreed to during negotiations. Employers across Quebec had also heard the message from their workers loud and clear and were reserved in their demands for years to come. This solidarity among Quebec’s working class would last for a generation and is one reason why union density in that province remains among the highest in the country.

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U.S. President Trump released his finalized steel and aluminum tariff package today, with temporary exemptions for Canada and Mexico.

Despite these exemptions, today’s announcement will mean that Canadian producers will be competing with the excess supply of steel and aluminum diverted from the U.S. market.

“The steel and aluminum sectors are one of Canada’s key economic drivers and employers, directly and indirectly supporting good jobs in nearly every region in Canada,” said CLC President Hassan Yussuff.

“Canadian steel and aluminum should have a permanent exemption from American tariffs. Canada and the U.S. have an integrated economy that has yielded economic benefits for both countries, but this move jeopardizes the future of that relationship,” said Yussuff.

The steel sector supports 22,000 direct jobs across Canada and the aluminum sector supports nearly 10,000 direct jobs mostly in BC and Quebec, with supply chains and related industries affecting more than 100,000 additional workers.

“The Canadian government must take immediate action to prevent foreign steel and aluminum dumping in the Canadian market. The federal and provincial governments must also be prepared to assist Canadian workers and steel manufacturers who will need support to maintain their livelihoods and stay in business,” said Yussuff.

Yussuff also underscored that this announcement should not impact ongoing NAFTA negotiations.

The Canadian Labour Congress is asking for the federal government to put together a rapid response working group with industry and worker representatives to develop a package to support workers, businesses, and communities.

Elements of a package could include:

• Action by Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to address any trade diversion caused by US measures;
• Additional resources devoted to border agents and inspections to ensure Canadian market isn’t flooded with dumped products;
• Policy measures that prioritize the use of Canadian made steel and aluminum for energy projects within Canada. This would enable the government to meet its stated aim of developing Canada’s energy resources in an environmentally responsible way.

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The call comes after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose duties of up to 25% on steel imports, and 10% on aluminum imports. Key details, such as whether fair-trading allies such as Canada will be excluded from duties, have yet to be disclosed.

“The steel sector is one of Canada’s key economic drivers and employers, directly and indirectly supporting good jobs in nearly every region in Canada,” said CLC President Hassan Yussuff.

“If Canada were included in this aggressive trade action, it would affect workers and businesses on both sides of the border. It would decimate Canada’s steel industry and impact the lives of 22,000 workers directly employed by the industry, and another 100,000 indirectly employed workers,” he added.

Every year, Canada exports $6 billion worth of steel products to the U.S., and, because of the integrated nature of the North American steel industry, imports steel products of the same value from the U.S. Last year, Canada exported $9.3 billion worth of aluminum products to the United States.

Canada’s steel industry is also responsible for millions of dollars worth of research and development throughout the economy.

“Federal and provincial governments must vigorously defend the interests of Canadian workers and businesses by demanding that U.S. president Trump exclude fair-trading allies such as Canada,” said Yussuff.

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