Canada’s unions call for the immediate release of trade union leaders jailed in Hong Kong
April 20, 2021
Canada’s unions strongly condemn the prosecution of trade union leaders and pro‑democracy activists in Hong Kong. On April 16, Lee Cheuk Yan, General Secretary of the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions, was sentenced to 18 months in jail for participating in a pro-democracy protest organized by trade unions nearly two years ago. Four other democracy defenders also received prison…
Protect the women who make our clothes: Canada’s unions and civil society organizations call for action
April 24, 2020
Seven years after the tragic Rana Plaza building collapse, Bangladesh garment sector workers now confront even more risk and vulnerability in the fight against COVID-19. Canada’s unions and civil society organizations are calling for immediate relief for workers and protection of rights in global supply chains. The coalition says that concerns for workers cannot stop at Canada’s borders and the…
Canadian unions condemn the use of excessive force against democracy protestors in Hong Kong. In the last two months, hundreds of thousands of Hong Kong citizens have protested against an extradition law with China, perceived to undermine Hong Kong’s independence and restrict basic freedoms. These demonstrations have been met with an escalation in police violence, tear gas and rubber…
Federal government must protect workers following export ban
June 28, 2019
Canada’s unions are calling on the federal government to ensure Canadian workers are protected from job and income loss following China’s recent ban on Canadian beef and pork exports. 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…
International trade is a vital part of the Canadian economy. International trade agreements must promote economic equality, encourage the creation of good jobs, support the interests of working people, and ensure ecological sustainability.
Along with key gains in the USMCA, Canada’s unions raise concern
October 1, 2018
Canada’s unions say the new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) represents some points of progress, but are raising concern over protections for some Canadian workers. “Workers across the country will be happy to learn that NAFTA’s Chapter 11 has finally been eliminated from this trade agreement,” said Canadian Labour Congress President, Hassan Yussuff. “Decades of unfairness have cost Canada over $300…
Canadian and European trade unions: EU not following through with promises on CETA review
September 25, 2018
Upcoming meeting in Montreal provides an opportunity to address growing concerns On the first anniversary of CETA’s implementation, trade unions on both sides of the Atlantic are warning that the trade deal is not a ‘model’ agreement and say it is time for an immediate review. The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) and the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) are calling…
CLC – ETUC joint statement on the trade and sustainable development chapter in CETA
September 11, 2018
Trade unions in the EU and Canada are united in our call for progressive trade deals that promote decent jobs, protect and enhance labour rights, protect public services and lead to fair distribution of wealth. We worked together throughout negotiations on CETA to call for the deal to respect these objectives. CETA has been provisionally applied since September 2017. Both…
Canada’s unions applaud counter-tariffs, welcome support for steel and aluminum workers
June 29, 2018
Canada’s unions are pleased with strong counter-measures announced today by the federal government in support of workers in the steel and aluminum sectors. The counter-measures come in direct response to the illegal, unjustified and unwarranted tariffs on steel and aluminum recently imposed by the U.S. “We support the federal government’s counter-tariffs as a retaliation to the American bullying tactics. Trump’s…
Canada’s unions support Canadian retaliation against American steel and aluminum tariffs
June 1, 2018
Canada’s unions today applauded the Canadian Government’s retaliation against the unjustified and unwarranted American tariffs on steel and aluminum. “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…