TORONTO, Jan. 28, 2014 /CNW/ - Canada's largest union in the private sector will be meeting in Thunder Bay on Wednesday as part of its preparations for a nationwide campaign to defend the rights of Canadians in the workplace.
"Unifor is standing up for the rights of Canadians to provide for their families in safe and stable workplaces," said Unifor National President Jerry Dias, who will be attending the Thunder Bay meeting. "Unionized or not, we believe that's what all Canadian workers want."
Local and national Unifor leaders attending the meeting - at 9am on Wednesday, January 29, at the Hoito Restaurant at 314 Bay Street - will be discussing threats posed to basic labour rights, and what they can do about it.
They will then travel to Sudbury, meeting at 1pm at the Unifor Local 598 offices at 2550 Richard Lake Drive.
"Without unions and collective bargaining, it will be impossible for most Canadians to attain a decent, secure life," Dias said. "The current attack by governments across Canada on our basic labour rights will fundamentally damage our quality of life - and that's why we are determined to stop it."
The Harper government's Bill C525 would make it easier to decertify unions in the federal sector, on the basis of biased voting rules. In Ontario, Conservative Leader Tim Hudak wants to eliminate the Rand Formula, while Alberta's Conservatives have made it illegal for some unions to even talk about striking.
Media are welcome at Wednesday's meeting to get a sneak peak at Unifor's spring Rights at Work campaign and to talk to the union's top leadership and research staff about these issues. For a complete list of the meeting times and locations across the country please see below:
Unifor was founded Labour Day weekend 2013 when the Canadian Auto Workers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers unions merged. With more than 300,000 members, Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector.
Thunder Bay, Wednesday January 29, 9 am- Hoito Restaurant-314 Bay Street, Thunder Bay, ON
Sudbury, Wednesday, January 29, 1:00pm- 2550 Richard Lake Drive, Sudbury, ON
Quebec City, Tuesday/Wednesday February 11/12, (in conjunction with Quebec Council) , Hôtel Hilton à Québec, 1100, Boulevard René-Lévesque Est., Québec, QC
Ottawa, Thursday February 13, Noon- 5 Gurdwara Drive, Ottawa, ON
Vancouver, Monday February 17, 9 am- 326 - 12th Street, 2nd Floor, New Westminster, BC
Prince George, Monday February 17, 6 pm- Coast Inn of the North - Tabor Room, 770 Brunswick Street, Prince George, BC
Edmonton, Tuesday February 18, 1 pm- Commonwealth Recreation Centre, 11000 Stadium Road N.W. Edmonton, AB
Fort McMurray, Wednesday February 19, 9 am- 201-10020 Franklin Ave. Fort McMurray, AB
Saskatoon, Thursday February 20, 9 am- Delta Bessborough - William Pascoe Rm., 601 Spadina Cres. East, Saskatoon, SK
Regina, Thursday February 20, 6 pm- 3525 Pasqua St. Regina, SK
Moncton, Tuesday February 25, 1 pm- Moncton Lyon's Club, 55 Mark Ave. Moncton, NB
Halifax, Wednesday February 26, 1 pm- Delta Halifax - Baronets Ballroom, 1990 Barrington Street, Halifax, NS,
St. John's, Thursday February 27, 9 am- St. John's, St. Teresa's Parish Hall, 120 Mundy Pond Road, St. John's, NL
Media are welcome at all the meetings to find out about Rights at Work campaign and the union's response to legislative attacks on collective bargaining.
SOURCE: Unifor
For more information, please contact Unifor Communications director Shannon Devine at 416-302-1699 (cell) or [email protected] or, Unifor Communications national representative Stuart Laidlaw at 647-385-4054 (cell) or [email protected]. or Unifor Communications national representative at 416-333-8097 (cell) or [email protected].
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