November 8, 2022
Dear Fellow Members,
As unionized workers in Canada we collectively work towards fair, safe, and equitable working conditions for each other and for workers across Canada. Unions have been the impetus for the benefits that workers take for granted in Canada such as pensions, the 40-hour work week, parental leave, unemployment insurance, and the right to safe workplaces. These benefits are the direct result of the collective bargaining process. Ontario Premier Ford is threatening these collective bargaining rights.
As workers we have no choice but to challenge the proposed actions of Premier Ford. Attached please find the letter the Federation of Post-Secondary Educators (FPSE) sent to Premier Ford last week speaking out against the government’s willingness to invoke the Charter of Rights and Freedoms’ “notwithstanding clause”, to bypass the collective bargaining process, in an effort to prevent the Province’s CUPE education sector workers from striking and explaining the important role of collective bargaining in Canada’s economy.
FPSE also donated $2,000 to CUPE 3912 for Strike Support at Dalhousie University, Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU), and Saint Mary’s University (SMU). We are grateful to be a part of strong labour partnerships in Canada and see maintaining them as part of the broader approach to protecting your local workplace rights as well.
You can add your name to this petition to the Ford government in support of Workers’ Rights: https://ofl.ca/action/email-hands-off/
For additional information, here is the OFL’s statement: https://ofl.ca/new-legislation-attacks-basic-labour-freedoms/
In Solidarity,
Rod Hayward
UFV-FSA President
University of the Fraser Valley
Faculty & Staff Association
33844 King Road
Abbotsford, BC V2S 7M8
Building B | Room 377
Direct Tel: 604-854-4530
Toll-Free: 1-888-504-7441 local 4530
Fax: 604-853-9540
[email protected]
www.ufv-fsa.ca