Canada’s unions: Negligent employers on notice with 3-year prison sentence
September 14, 2023
In a direct message to employers who fail to ensure the health and safety of workers, a supervisor has been handed a three-year prison sentence for his failure to follow the law. In June of this year, the Court of King’s Bench found Jason King of New Brunswick-based Springhill Construction guilty of criminal negligence – “wonton and reckless disregard” –…
Canada’s unions are celebrating Canada’s ratification of International Labour Organization Convention 190
January 30, 2023
Bruske: Workers deserve a safe workplace. This historic convention will establish the right to a world of work free from violence and harassment OTTAWA––C-190 is the first global treaty that acknowledges the universal right to a world of work free from violence and harassment, and establishes a clear framework for ending it. Once ratified, governments are accountable for preventing and…
International Migrants Day: Canada must do more to help undocumented people secure their rights
December 18, 2022
Canada’s unions are urging the federal government to be ambitious in developing an inclusive and comprehensive regularization program for undocumented people that includes protections to ensure their safety. 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…
Canada’s unions are marking International Domestic Workers’ Day by calling on the federal government to recognize the critical role of domestic workers in Canada and protect their rights. Canada’s unions have long called for the federal government to ratify and implement ILO Convention 189 Concerning Decent Work for Domestic Workers (C-189) and ILO Convention 190 on Violence and Harassment (C-190).…
IDAHOTB: Canada’s unions call for an end to violence and harassment
May 17, 2022
Canada’s unions are marking the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOTB) by calling for meaningful action to end violence and harassment against 2SLGBTQI people in Canada. “Across the globe, we are seeing unprecedented attacks on the rights of 2SLGBTQI people,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC). “In 2022 alone, we’ve witnessed the introduction of…
May 9, 2022 marks the 30th anniversary of the Westray mine explosion that killed 26 miners in Pictou County, Nova Scotia. The fatal explosion was caused by a buildup of methane gas and coal dust. In the ensuing public inquiry, Justice Peter K. Richard uncovered “a complex mosaic of actions, omissions, mistakes, incompetence, apathy, cynicism, stupidity, and neglect.” Despite years…
Making Global Supply Chains Safe for Workers: Nine Years after the Rana Plaza Collapse
April 24, 2022
April 24th marks the anniversary of one of the world’s worst and avoidable industrial accidents. Rana Plaza, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, was home to garment factories supplying international garment brands. When it collapsed, more than 1,100 garment workers were killed and another 2,500 workers were seriously injured. This tragedy has drawn global attention to the exploitation and dangerous health and safety conditions…
Canada’s unions call on federal government to ratify and implement C-190
November 24, 2021
Canada’s unions are marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women by urging the federal government to live up to its commitments and finally ratify and implement International Labour Organization Convention no. 190 (C-190) on Violence and Harassment. November 25 marks the beginning of the internationally commemorated 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. Gender-based violence and…
Canada’s unions release ad reminding working Canadians Erin O’Toole is dangerous
August 31, 2021
OTTAWA − Canada’s unions are pushing back against Erin O’Toole’s claims around supporting working Canadians with a video containing hard-hitting truths about O’Toole’s real record of letting down workers. “We have seen his rhetoric around supporting working people. But when you look at his record, you start seeing the real O’Toole,’ said Bea Bruske, president of the Canadian Labour Congress.…
Canada’s unions call for urgent action to address hate crimes against 2SLGBTQI people
May 17, 2021
Canada’s unions are marking the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOTB) by urging the federal government to address the rise in hate crimes against 2SLGBTQI communities in Canada. “There is no place for homophobic, transphobic or biphobic violence in our communities,” said Larry Rousseau, Executive Vice-President of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC). “Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans…