STANDING ROOM ONLY
The OFL Building auditorium was packed to
capacity on Thursday March 6th, for the second regional meeting of the OFL's
Workers Rights provincial tour. Hundreds of Delegates, leaders and activists
turned out to hear about the danger that the Tim Hudak agenda poses to Ontario
workers, in spite of his recent manouevre claiming he won't abolish the Rand
Formula. Labour Council President gave an overview of the Workers' Rights
campaign which started with a mass meeting in Toronto last March, and has been
building since. The crowd heard from Carol Baker of the Ontario Common Front
and Walied Khogali of the Students Federation, who both outlined the importance
of unions to struggles for a just society.
OFL President Sid Ryan explained that the victory of Wayne Gates, a union leader running for the NDP in the recent Niagara by-election, triggered Hudak to announce his change of heart on Rand. Rob Fairley outlned clearly how there are many other legal tools which the Conservatives could copy from the U.S. to accomplish their goal of weakening unions. Over the course of the evening, everyone had a chance to discuss how to take the issue back into their workplaces, and bring the full resources of their union into this urgent fight.
You can download the newest campaign material at www.RightsatWork.ca
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OFL President Sid Ryan explained that the victory of Wayne Gates, a union leader running for the NDP in the recent Niagara by-election, triggered Hudak to announce his change of heart on Rand. Rob Fairley outlned clearly how there are many other legal tools which the Conservatives could copy from the U.S. to accomplish their goal of weakening unions. Over the course of the evening, everyone had a chance to discuss how to take the issue back into their workplaces, and bring the full resources of their union into this urgent fight.
You can download the newest campaign material at www.RightsatWork.ca
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Come learn how to be part of winning campaigns. Click here for the flyer. workshop choices for the conference.
10:30 Session 1 A. Campaign Manager Part 1 - Developing your message B. Inspiring Union Members Part 1 C. Campaign Organizer Part 1 - in diverse communities D. Women's Workshop E. Digital Campaigning 12:45 Session 2 A. Campaign Manager Part 2 - Developing your message B. Inspiring Union Members Part 2 C. Campaign Organizer Part 2 - Organizing phone banks D. Women's Workshop E. Digital Campaigning F. Following financial/legal rules 2:30 Session 3 A. Campaign Manager Part 3 - Developing your message B. Inspiring Union Members Part 3 C. Campaign Organizer Part 3 - Managing small campaign D. Women's Workshop E. Digital Campaigning |
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WORKERS’ RIGHTS DISCUSSION IN THE WORKPLACE Unions have a rich legacy of struggle for social justice and equity, but the dominant message in our society is that the individual is more important than collective rights. A year ago labour set out to expose the plans of Tim Hudak to import US-style legislation that would weaken unions and drive down wages. Much more remains to be done to take this conversation to members in the workplace, before a provincial election call expected this spring. For campaign material click Here.
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SAVE CANADA POST Canadians were shocked to hear of the plans of Canada Post to begin dismantling residential delivery of mail across Canada, raise prices of mail, and deeply cut its workforce. This decision will have a serious impact on working families and communities across Canada. It will particularly hurt people with disabilities and seniors.
It is clear that this action is part of the ongoing austerity agenda of the Harper Conservatives, which seeks to make workers pay for the 2008 financial melt-down caused by corporate greed and speculation. It continues the pattern of attacks on fundamental labour rights, exploitation of foreign temporary workers, and gutting of social programs such as Employment Insurance. Armine Yalnizyan’s insightful response is a must-read.
The Toronto & York Region Labour Council will extend our full support to CUPW and its local unions in our region in whatever form of fight-back the union undertakes. We support the union’s call for to preserve public postal service and improve Canada Post’s financial position by expanding parcel delivery and adding banking and financial services. Send a message to your Member of Parliament – www.cupw.ca
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It is clear that this action is part of the ongoing austerity agenda of the Harper Conservatives, which seeks to make workers pay for the 2008 financial melt-down caused by corporate greed and speculation. It continues the pattern of attacks on fundamental labour rights, exploitation of foreign temporary workers, and gutting of social programs such as Employment Insurance. Armine Yalnizyan’s insightful response is a must-read.
The Toronto & York Region Labour Council will extend our full support to CUPW and its local unions in our region in whatever form of fight-back the union undertakes. We support the union’s call for to preserve public postal service and improve Canada Post’s financial position by expanding parcel delivery and adding banking and financial services. Send a message to your Member of Parliament – www.cupw.ca
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FUND IT, FIX IT, EXPAND IT! Public transit affects us all. Over the last three decades, the failure of right-wing
politicians to address our region’s transit needs has seriously eroded the effectiveness of Toronto’s transit system. While commute times have increased to an average of 82 minutes per day (and expected to rise to 102 minutes by 2031), the health impacts are also felt in the quality of life we live and the air we breathe. The time spent in traffic congestion (for both riders and drivers) amounts to a tax on our daily lives. Read the op-ed by Labour Council's Jennifer Huang's clicking op-ed Read Labour Council’s statement Fund It, Fix It, Expand It!
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politicians to address our region’s transit needs has seriously eroded the effectiveness of Toronto’s transit system. While commute times have increased to an average of 82 minutes per day (and expected to rise to 102 minutes by 2031), the health impacts are also felt in the quality of life we live and the air we breathe. The time spent in traffic congestion (for both riders and drivers) amounts to a tax on our daily lives. Read the op-ed by Labour Council's Jennifer Huang's clicking op-ed Read Labour Council’s statement Fund It, Fix It, Expand It!
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on Prezi |
UNIONS 101
People are often asking if there is a simple presentation for schools, public forums or new member classes that answers the question “What are unions about?” Labour Council has a short digital “Prezi” presentation that combines graphics, pictures and video clips, and is suitable for all uses. Check it out, click here. |
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IS YOUR UNION READY? Attacks by employers, governments and global corporate interests have become far more aggressive in recent times. This calls for a new strengths to be developed, and Labour Council has created an
important tool for union leaders and activists to use. Titled "Achieving a State of Readiness", it outlines a comprehensive approach for unions to adopt when getting ready for difficult struggles. Download it here.
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important tool for union leaders and activists to use. Titled "Achieving a State of Readiness", it outlines a comprehensive approach for unions to adopt when getting ready for difficult struggles. Download it here.
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