Ontario Regional Council brings awareness to intimate partner violence, mental health, defending Canadian jobs during the age of Trump

December 12, 2024

The push for the Ontario government to declare IPV an epidemic

The opening day of Unifor’s 2024 Ontario Regional Council coincided with December 6—the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Canada.

The two-day ORC opened with an Indigenous welcome by Elder Gilbert Sunday and the All Nations Junior Drummers.

In her address, Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi committed to carving a path forward for all workers to thrive.

Samia also spoke to delegates about Unifor’s campaign to get Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) declared an epidemic in the province.

“Legislation leads to awareness, awareness leads to action, and action leads to saving lives and protecting people from violence,” said Hashi.

Delegates witnessed 60 roses placed on a candlelit table as a symbol of memorium and support for victims of IPV.

Keynote speaker Fartumo Kusow, a tireless advocate against gender-based violence, shared her story of loss after the tragic murder of her 36-year-old daughter, Sahra Bulle in May 2023.

‘Team Canada’ needed in wake of Trump

Unifor National President Lana Payne urged delegates for solidarity to protect against corporations rolling the clock back on collective bargaining rights and to prepare for some challenging times ahead as incoming U.S. President Donald Trump makes his way back into the White House.

“We can be the shining democracy the world needs right now. This union can be that. Canada can be that.”

Payne championed Unifor’s organizing wins at Amazon and Walmart in Canada, but also warned Walmart, the giant big box retailer, that the union has filed unfair labour practices complaints for the corporation’s response to give everyone in the company a pay raise except the ones who joined Unifor.

ORC draws awareness to suicide prevention and mental health of first responders

Members of the Unifor Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) Standing Committee held a tribute for National Representative Mike Kemp, who died by suicide earlier this year.

Unifor Local 302 member and active front line paramedic Shaun Taylor told delegates in his keynote speech that he co-founded #IveGotYourBack911 a decade ago – a campaign to raise awareness of First Responder mental health issues, including PTSD and other mental stress injuries experienced on the job.

“The average person in North America sees between three to five traumas in their lifetime,” said Taylor. “The average first responder sees an average of 300 to 500 traumas during their career.”

Unifor’s global impact

Unifor National Secretary-Treasurer Len Poirier shared the importance of the international work the union does, including representation at the International Transport Workers Federation Congress in Morocco.

“Never was the need for workers to come together for international solidarity greater, when so many of our sectors – especially in transportation are controlled by multi-national corporations that control the wealth and have such influence on governments and regulations around the world,” said Poirier.

ORC shows support for striking workers

ORC Chair Shinade Allder told delegates at the council that this year that when we stand together, we are unstoppable.

“Division may try to break us, but with unity and solidarity, we only grow stronger. And let me be clear—we will not back down,” she said. “As long as it takes, we will stand, we will fight, and we will win!”

The Council honoured striking workers, including at Clear Meadow Imaging in Windsor, which last week, workers rejected the company’s “final offer” by 96%. The strike began Oct. 25, 2024, over wage disparities and inequitable treatment of administrative and clinical staff.

Members from cancer-treating medical device maker Best Theratronics in Kanata, which have been on strike since May after their boss refused to give anything but 0% increases over a two-year proposed contract, came on stage to share their story.

“Local 1541 is tired, but not tired enough to quit,” said Unifor Local 1541 strike captain Dale Roth.

The ORC gave striking workers $5,000 to support striking workers, with around $45,000 from other individuals and locals, while the national union made a $50,000 donation.

Action Centre bridges uncertainty during layoffs and closures

Delegates heard how workers can navigate layoffs and find empowerment through Unifor Action Centres.

Unifor Action Centres helps union members on layoff different resources, including resume building, assisting members with job interview skills and other peer-led support to help guide them to their next job.

Election welcomes fresh faces

During the ORC’s elections,Jon Binns was elected to Workers Compensation Standing Committee, Tony Sisti for the Retired Workers Member-at-Large position, Saúl Santiago for the LGBT Committee, Max Ramsey to the Young Workers Committee and Carrie Smith was appointed to the EFAP Standing Committee.

Read the full day one ORC story

Read the full day two ORC story

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