A new NAFTA? Labour law reforms Unions celebrate three key 7 Why you should care 8 improving lives 10 wins for Canadians Labour Day 2017 A time to celebrate past accomplishments and focus on future gains for Canadian workers

A PEPPER MEDIA INITIATIVE IN CO-OPERATION WITH THE Thursday, August 31, 2017

3.5 MILLION CANADIANS CAN’T AFFORD THEIR PRESCRIPTIONS ’S UNIONS HAVE A PLAN. PAGES 2, 4, 6

This sponsored feature produced by PepperMedia.ca

Canada’s unions are working to win a universal prescription drug plan Pharmacare: A plan for everyone. that covers all Canadians regardless of income, age or where they live. Learn more at aplanforeveryone.ca

2 Thursday, August 31 , 2017 A PEPPER MEDIA INITIATIVE IN CO-OPERATION WITH THE CANADIAN LABOUR CONGRESS Labour Day 2017

Visit aplanforeveryone.ca to learn more.

OPINION Pharmacare: We need a plan for everyone

by Hassan Yussuff, Canadian Labour Congress President

here was a moment in Wind- sor, , years ago, that changed the way I look at prescription drug coverage forever. I was told about a Tworker who was hospitalized when his employer went bankrupt. Lying in his hospital bed, he was given notice that his health benefits would be terminated in 30 days. Just like that, he was plunged into A federal investment of $1 billion a year will mean Canadians save $7.3 billion a year on the medications they need, the Canadian a new insecure reality of being unable to Labour Congress says. ISTOCKPHOTO.COM afford the medications he needed. It’s the same reality 3.5 million Canadians face Canadians aren’t just for better health insurance coverage cent of their population is covered. There, today, thanks to our patchwork, ineffective for our members, but better public cover- a year’s supply of the anti-cholesterol drug prescription drug system. benefiting from the age for everyone. Lipitor costs just $15 a year. In Canada, it In Canada today, an estimated Canadians aren’t benefiting from the costs $811. 8.4 million working people do not have current system. The only current system. The only ones who do It’s time for Canada to learn from other employer-based health benefits. That ones who do benefit benefit are pharmaceutical companies, countries’ successes and join the 21st century means many Canadians are splitting pills, which can charge higher prices for com- by combining our population’s purchasing skipping days to stretch their prescrip- are pharmaceutical monly used drugs because they are selling power under one plan. An annual invest- tions, or not taking the medications they to many buyers; and private insurance ment of $1 billion by the federal government need at all, due to the unreasonable out- companies, which can companies, which charge employers, will mean Canadians save $7.3 billion a year of-pocket costs. charge higher prices for unions and workers to administer private on the medications they need. Canada is the only developed country drug insurance plans. Canadians already know this is the in the world with universal health care commonly used drugs It just isn’t working. Canadians working right move: a 2015 Angus Reid poll found that does not include prescription drugs. because they are selling to in part-time, low-wage, precarious jobs that 91 per cent of Canadians believe our Instead, our multi-payer system has re- are less likely to have employer health public health care system should include sulted in the second-highest prescription many buyers; and private benefits, which means young workers and a universal prescription drug plan. Several drug costs in the world next to the United women are less likely to be covered for national health care commissions have States. Working Canadians and their fami- insurance companies, prescription drugs. Even Canadians who recommended the same, along with the lies feel the hit every single day. which charge employers, do have coverage through work run into Canadian Medical Association, Canadian Nobody should be forced to choose trouble because of ever-increasing co-pay- Federation of Nurses Unions, Canadian between paying for groceries and paying unions and workers to ments and deductibles. Doctors for Medicare, the Federation of for their prescriptions. That’s why Canada’s This should be unacceptable in a Canadian Municipalities, and many more. unions are marking Labour Day with a administer private drug country like Canada. In our country, it’s This Labour Day, Canada’s unions are re- campaign to win a universal drug plan for insurance plans. supposed to be simple – if you’re sick, newing our commitment to public health all Canadians. you should get treatment, regardless of care by making pharmacare our top prior- Unions have worked for better health where you live or how much you make. If ity. We’re bringing together local unions care for decades because it’s an issue that you have a health card, you should have and workers with health care advocates in affects all working people. Unions were prescription drug coverage. communities across the country to launch there in the 1960s as Tommy Douglas es- Many other countries have already got our pharmacare campaign. Join us, and tablished Medicare in Saskatchewan, and it right. Look at New Zealand, where a together we can win a universal prescrip- saw it expand to the rest of Canada. Ever public authority negotiates drug prices tion drug plan for all Canadians, regardless since then, we’ve continued to push, not on behalf of the entire country — 100 per of age, geography or income. n 3.5 million Canadians can’t afford to fill their prescriptions. Many are splitting their pills or skipping days to stretch the prescriptions they do fill.

Nobody should be forced to choose between paying for groceries and paying for the medication they need.

That’s why we’re working to win a universal prescription drug plan that covers all Canadians regardless of their income, age or where they live.

Join our call for a universal prescription drug plan at aplanforeveryone.ca 4 Thursday, August 31, 2017 A PEPPER MEDIA INITIATIVE IN CO-OPERATION WITH THE CANADIAN LABOUR CONGRESS Labour Day 2017

Visit aplanforeveryone.ca to learn more.

HUMAN COSTS Health care experts weigh in on the need for prescription drug coverage

urses, physicians and other afford inhalers costing approximately $70 BY THE NUMBERS is uneven access to prescription drugs. health professionals have for three months’ treatment led to a stay in Beyond the inequities, this system is first-hand knowledge of the hospital costing about $1,000 a day.” inefficient and expensive; Canada has the human cost of not having This story is not unusual — one in The case for universal second-highest prescription drug costs in universal prescription drug 10 Canadians cannot afford to fill their drug coverage the world after the United States. Ncoverage in Canada. Every day, they see prescriptions. “If you are a young worker, if “We need federal leadership to imple- the harm that comes from patients not you are a lower-income family, you are es- ment pharmacare, and we need action being able to afford the medications they pecially vulnerable,” she says. “It shouldn’t now,” says the CFNU president. “With a uni- need. be this way. We are the only country with 8.4 million versal plan, national bulk buying to lower ESTIMATED NUMBER OF WORKING The president of the Canadian Federa- a universal public health care system that drug prices and one evidence-based drug tion of Nurses Unions (CFNU), Linda Silas, does not provide universal coverage for CANADIANS WHO HAVE NO formulary for the whole country, we can remembers hearing from one nurse about prescription medicines.” PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE save billions of dollars a year.” a family that couldn’t afford the inhalers The CFNU and other national organi- Numerous studies have put the eco- their child needed for asthma. The nurse zations, including the Canadian Labour nomics in perspective, estimating that gave them samples to get them by until Congress, are intensifying their calls for an annual investment of $1 billion by the their next appointment, but making it to a national, universal prescription drug 3.5 million federal government will mean Canadians that appointment meant missing a day’s plan for all Canadians, to complete what NUMBER OF CANADIANS save $7.3 billion a year on the medications pay, so the family didn’t get more samples. is often called “the unfinished business of WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO FILL they need. The child’s asthma got worse, resulting in Medicare.” THEIR PRESCRIPTIONS Dr. Danyaal Raza is a family physician at a days-long stay in hospital. Our country’s complex, patchwork St. Michael’s Hospital in and the “Lack of drug coverage hurts patients system of prescription drug funding, board chair of Canadian Doctors for Medi- and it hurts the entire health care system,” with widely varying levels of public and care, another organization advocating for says Silas. “For this child, not being able to private insurance coverage, means there a universal prescription drug plan. Dr. Raza points out that advances in pre- scription medications make it possible for people with chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes to live healthier AVERAGE COST OF lives. These benefits may be lost, he says, THE CHOLESTEROL DRUG if people face difficult choices because of finances. LIPITOR PER YEAR: “When I prescribe a medication to treat diabetes and keep a patient’s sugars under control, I shudder to think they may $811 $15 have to buy cheaper, less healthy food to IN CANADA IN NEW ZEALAND afford what’s been written on the prescrip- (which DOES NOT (which HAS tion pad,” Dr. Raza says. “What difference HAVE universal universal drug are we making in people’s health if we are drug coverage) coverage) asking them to sacrifice food in order to afford medication?” “It’s not every day in public policy that we’re presented with a program that includes more people and saves money 91 per cent at the same time,” he adds. “The federal government needs to hear from indi- PROPORTION OF CANADIANS vidual Canadians, labour organizations, WHO BELIEVE OUR PUBLIC non-governmental organizations and HEALTH CARE SYSTEM SHOULD private-sector employers that enough is INCLUDE A UNIVERSAL enough — Medicare has been incomplete PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN* for decades, and prescription drugs have Left: Dr. Danyaal Raza, board chair of Canadian Doctors for Medicare; Right: Linda been a big missing piece.” n * SOURCE: ANGUS REID SURVEY, 2015. Silas, president of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions. SUPPLIED NEARLY ONE MILLION CANADIAN HEALTH CARE WORKERS SUPPORT

The missing piece of our Canadian public health care system. 6 Thursday, August 31, 2017 A PEPPER MEDIA INITIATIVE IN CO-OPERATION WITH THE CANADIAN LABOUR CONGRESS Labour Day 2017

Visit aplanforeveryone.ca to learn more.

LABOUR MARKET TRENDS Pharmacare essential for workers in low-wage, part-time jobs

hanges in Canada’s labour market make the need for a universal prescription drug plan all the more crucial, say proponents of national pharmacare.C “We are seeing trends in the labour market that suggest that inequalities in We are seeing access to prescription drug coverage and, therefore, inequalities in access to drugs trends in themselves, are getting worse,” says Dr. Steve Morgan, professor of health policy the labour at the University of British Columbia. market that suggest that Growing numbers of Canadians are stuck in precarious jobs, working for low wages, inequalities in access to part-time, or as self-employed contractors. On top of income uncertainty, that also prescription drug coverage means being less likely to have prescription and, therefore, inequalities drug coverage. About 8.4 million working Canadians do in access to drugs not have prescription drug coverage. That “ includes almost three-quarters of people themselves, are getting who work part-time. worse.” Prescription drugs are unaffordable for many Canadians working in precarious, low- “That has a real impact on millennials wage and part-time jobs, with no employer drug coverage. ISTOCKPHOTO.COM coming into the labour market. Younger Steve Morgan, “It’s a paradox. While medications have the highest costs in the world — business- workers are very reliant on part-time jobs Professor of health policy at the University become more effective, we are less able es are saying they can no longer afford to and jobs in smaller organizations that don’t of British Columbia have benefits packages,” says Dr. Morgan. to ensure everyone who needs them has provide the kinds of benefits they have in While fewer workers have access to drug access,” he says. the past.” coverage, the importance of prescription The situation will only worsen without A government-run, single-payer system medicines to the health care system has a national, universal prescription drug is the answer, he says, because only govern- also grown, says Dr. Morgan – noting dra- plan, Dr. Morgan predicts. “Because of the ment can bring to bear the expertise and matic advances in pharmaceutical therapies extraordinary and uncontrolled costs of the buying power needed to keep prescrip- in recent decades. medicines in Canada — we have some of tion drug costs at a reasonable level. n

PERSONAL PERSPECTIVES ON THE CHALLENGE OF AFFORDING PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS

KERRI, MANITOBA DIA, ONTARIO BEN , NOVA SCOTIA Kerri is a self-employed writer in her twenties who Working for a small non-profit with no benefits plan, A recent high school graduate, Ben is saving with takes medications for asthma and ADHD. Dia needs several medications to control severe asthma. the goal of studying culinary arts at college. He was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age one. When I graduated from university, I lost My story reflects the realities of today’s labour coverage under my dad’s employer group plan. market—with many workers in a revolving door My mother works two jobs, one of which she Fortunately, Manitoba’s Pharmacare program covers of contracts and few employers offering group benefits. keeps because it provides drug coverage to most of my medication expenses, but my deductible If you are chronically ill, you are often out of luck. I am finance some of the costs of my insulin, syringes, test “is only affordable at present because I live with my “getting a biologic drug through a clinical trial but when strips and glucometer. If I enroll in college, I can remain parents and have a lower income. I am young, working that ends, I have no idea where I will get up to $36,000 a “covered by her plan until I’m 25 or just 21, if I’m not to grow my business and explore other employment year for only one of my seven medications.” in school. I face a lot of uncertainty about the future. I endeavours, but the prospect of deductibles rising want to work in the restaurant industry – a sector where with my income causes significant apprehension employer health benefits are rare.” about the financial burden of managing my health in a possible future without insurance.” Do you have a story about how lack of public universal prescription drug coverage has affected you? Visit www.facesofpharmacare.ca Labour Day 2017 A PEPPER MEDIA INITIATIVE IN CO-OPERATION WITH THE CANADIAN LABOUR CONGRESS Thursday, August 31, 2017 7

TRADE A new NAFTA? Why you should care

President Donald SO WHAT SHOULD A NEW NAFTA LOOK LIKE? Trump wants to U.S. renegotiate the A new NAFTA... North American Free Trade Agree- MUST PROTECT WORKERS’ RIGHTS: to use Canada’s courts if they have an issue MUST PROTECT THE PUBLIC SERVICES ment – better known as NAFTA. But That means including explicit protections with Canada’s laws or regulations. CANADIANS RELY ON: why should we care? for workers in the main text of the deal and A new NAFTA must protect public services Journalist Linda McQuaig says making sure Canada can, when necessary, NAFTA MUST PROTECT CANADIAN we rely on, like health care. It must also there’s a lot at stake. enforce fair labour standards and wages and CULTURAL PRODUCTION AND CONTENT: safeguard our governments’ right to “NAFTA actually weakens the po- other workers’ rights with trade sanctions. Donald Trump wants to change NAFTA to introduce new public services, such as sition of workers, making them com- take away our right to protect and promote a universal prescription drug plan for all pete against American and Mexican CAN’T TRUMP CANADIAN LAWS AND Canadian and French language cultural Canadians. workers who – particularly in the case REGULATIONS: content and production. But cultural of Mexicans – are paid much less and The old NAFTA circumvented Canada’s production can't be treated like a commodity MUST PROTECT LOCAL PRODUCERS have fewer benefits than Canadian courts with what’s called “investor-state - it is part of our identity. This is especially AND FOOD SAFETY: workers,” she said. dispute mechanisms” allowing foreign true in Quebec, where French content is A new NAFTA must ensure Canadians McQuaig says the Canadian gov- companies and investors to sue provincial forced to compete with an overwhelming maintain the access we have to safe, high- ernment has a responsibility to ensure or federal governments if, for example, an influx of North-American English content. The quality, locally produced food. A new deal any new NAFTA is explicit about environmental regulation got in the way of new NAFTA cannot allow U.S. companies or must also safeguard our right to support protecting and strengthening workers’ profits. That’s left Canada the most frequently the U.S. government itself to sue Canada or local and small family farms and rural rights. Right now, the only mention of sued country under NAFTA. A new NAFTA Quebec for protecting the French language communities. workers’ rights is in a side deal that has must force foreign companies and investors or cultural production. been almost impossible to enforce. n

Working people deserve better

#ABetterNAFTA .org/NAFTA 8 Thursday, August 31 , 2017 A PEPPER MEDIA INITIATIVE IN CO-OPERATION WITH THE CANADIAN LABOUR CONGRESS Labour Day 2017

FAIRNESS A tale of two provinces: How Ontario and Alberta are improving workers’ lives

he Ontario and Alberta hopes even more will be done to safe- PERSONAL PERSPECTIVES ON LABOUR LAW REFORM governments are bringing guard decent work for future generations. outdated labour laws into “In Bill 148, the government has shown the 21st century and en- its commitment to updating laws that are THE ALBERTA GOVERNMENT IS PROVIDING “DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LEAVE” hancing protections for the far behind the times,” said OFL president – A NEW UNPAID, JOB-PROTECTED LEAVE UP TO 10 DAYS FOR EMPLOYEES Tgrowing number of workers in part-time, Chris Buckley. “We appreciate the steps ADDRESSING A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SITUATION. temporary and low-wage jobs. the government has taken, but we encour- Canada’s unions are celebrating the age them to go further.” changes as a great start, and say they The OFL points out that too many It’s critical that an employee dealing with abuse doesn’t have to fear hope other provinces will follow suit. workers are still exempt from certain legal losing their job if they ask for time off. Not all employers recognize that Ontario’s Bill 148 raises the minimum protections, and it calls for fairer standards women leaving an abusive partner need time, for example, to sort out legal wage to $15 an hour by 2019, prevents and unionization rights for every working issues, find shelter and get counselling for themselves and their children. pay discrimination against part-time and Ontarian. “ Many more protections are needed — the dynamics of temporary workers, and proposes penal- “Workers have a constitutional right to domestic violence affect all workplaces.” ties for employers who change workers’ organize, engage in collective bargaining schedules without adequate notice. It also and strike. If the government is serious JAN REIMER, introduces two paid emergency days for about fair workplaces and better jobs, it Executive Director, Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters all workers and increases vacation entitle- will also extend card-based certification to ments to a minimum of three weeks. all workers in all workplaces,” he says. The Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) Under card-based certification, workers ONTARIO’S UNIONS ARE PRESSING FOR REFORMS TO SUPPORT ALL WORK- can apply for union certification after a ERS’ RIGHTS TO JOIN A UNION, INCLUDING ELIMINATION OF TWO-STAGED required percentage sign a union card. Most workers in Ontario are required to CERTIFICATION. use a vote-based system, where cards are signed and, one week later, a unionization At our workplace, 60 per cent of employees signed union cards, but vote is held. During that period, workers we had to wait for the official vote. During that week, we lost half are vulnerable to employer influence to our support because of employer intimidation and threats of discipline. vote “no.” We have appealed to the labour board, but if we had card certification, Alberta will move to a $15 an hour “ with one stage, we would already have a union and a minimum wage by 2018. And in Bill 17, strong voice.” it introduces labour law reforms that strengthen standards for workers and ERNESTO J. ESPINOZA, bring in a new “hybrid” union certification an Ontario worker organizing with Unite Here 75 process. A union that has 65 per support from workers will be certified; if the sup- port is less but still above 40 per cent, a THE ONTARIO GOVERNMENT WILL RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE IN THE vote will be held. “We are happy the government ac- PROVINCE TO $15 AN HOUR BY 2019. knowledges that the current system for union certification is flawed and tips the A $15 minimum wage will not afford me a life of luxury, but it will scale against workers who try to join a reduce the pressure on me to juggle multiple jobs, give me some union”, says Alberta Federation of Labour much-needed breathing room and a bit more time to spend with my family. president Gil McGowan. “However, a more We have already waited far too long for government to end sub-poverty democratic model would be automatic “ wages. These changes can’t come soon enough.” card certification at a 50 per cent thresh- Workers in Ontario and Alberta see old.” ERENDIRA BRAVO, higher minimum wages and expanded The Alberta bill also guarantees a worker with first-hand experience in low-wage jobs, and labour rights and benefits through job-protected leaves for workers who are organizer with the $15 and Fairness campaign provincial government reforms. sick, caring for a family member or fleeing ISTOCKPHOTO.COM domestic violence. n Labour Day 2017 A PEPPER MEDIA INITIATIVE IN CO-OPERATION WITH THE CANADIAN LABOUR CONGRESS Thursday, August 31, 2017 9

ROLE OF UNIONS Canada’s unions fighting for members’ rights and fairness for all workers

workplace injury dealt Alin on modified duties in an administrative says Muthi. “I don’t know who else would works to negotiate Muthi a serious setback in job. have helped me. My union is standing up retirement plans and other benefits for October 2013, and he has “I was in chronic pain and I couldn’t be for me and has taken a real burden off my members. It has a program for female been trying to get his life at a desk for eight hours without strong chest.” members with cancer and recently back in balance ever since. medication,” says Muthi. “The medication Coming to the aid of members in launched a campaign on mental health in AHe’s doing it with the support of his made me drowsy and dizzy, and one day disputes with employers is one of unions’ the workplace. union, the Teamsters. I fainted.” important roles, which go well beyond Unions are also strong advocates for On the dock of his employer, Muthi His employer told him his conduct was negotiating good contracts, says Team- continuous enhancements to labour laws, stepped from his forklift truck and was unprofessional and his medication use at sters Canada president François Laporte. employment insurance, and workplace accidentally pinned against it by another work violated company policy. Muthi was “We can represent workers in health health and safety regulations, adds vehicle. He was left with a fractured pelvis backed into a corner — he couldn’t handle and safety matters, and also ensure the Laporte. and back injuries. During close to three working without the medication, so had to day-to-day application of their collective “A union is an agent for social change. months of recovery, he received coverage take 11 months off without pay. agreement. Employers sometimes try to It makes sure that everyone is treated from the Workplace Safety Insurance He turned to his local union represen- find loopholes in work contracts at the fairly and with respect. Many changes in Board (WSIB). tative, and now his case is going before a expense of workers. This is where we workers’ rights legislation that we have In January 2014, a WSIB physician con- WSIB tribunal. come in. We make sure our members’ seen over the past 100 years are the result cluded that Muthi could return to work “I am very grateful to the Teamsters,” rights are respected,” he says. of union battles." n 10 Thursday, August 31, 2017 A PEPPER MEDIA INITIATIVE IN CO-OPERATION WITH THE CANADIAN LABOUR CONGRESS Labour Day 2017

MILESTONES Three victories that impact all Canadians This Labour Day, Canada’s unions will celebrate major victories won over the last year that will improve the day-to-day lives of all Canadians.

STRONGER PUBLIC the benefits for today’s young workers in unions will continue to press for stronger 1) PENSIONS FOR ALL WORKERS particular, who struggle to save at a time regulations on asbestos disposal and Last November, our government passed when good, secure jobs with private pen- remediation, and to urge governments to legislation that strengthened the Canada sion plans are so hard to come by. work with First Nations to address high Pension Plan, something that has been a levels of asbestos in on-reserve housing. priority for Canada’s unions for decades. A CANADIAN BAN ON While most union members have pension 2) ASBESTOS CRIMINAL ACCOUNTABILITY plans at work, more than 60 per cent of On December 14, 2016, the federal gov- 3) FOR WORKPLACE DEATHS working Canadians do not. The passage of ernment announced it was finally banning AND INJURIES Bill C-26 was the first expansion of the CPP the import, export and use of asbestos This year on April 27, the federal gov- in the plan’s history, and unions lauded — capping decades of advocacy for safer, ernment announced its commitment to and their union, the , healthier workplaces and public spaces. ensure enforcement of the Westray Law had won new Criminal Code provisions in Canada’s unions, survivors and health ad- — a law that makes it possible to prose- 2004, but enforcement proved difficult. vocates have long worked to raise aware- cute employers for negligence that puts The federal government has now commit- ness about the terrible toll of asbestos workers at risk of death or serious injury. ted to working with the Canadian Labour exposure. An estimated 150,000 Canadi- The announcement came just days before Congress and its members, with employ- ans are exposed to asbestos at work, and the 25th anniversary of the May 9, 1992, ers, and with provincial and territorial every year, more than 2,000 Canadians die Westray Mine explosion that claimed the partners to finally help ensure the Westray from asbestos-related diseases. Canada’s lives of 26 miners. The miners’ families law is effectively enforced.n

WHY CHILD CARE MATTERS $865 CHILD CARE. 3X THE COSTS FOR CHILD CARE NATIONAL AVERAGE MONTHLY HAVE RISEN AT THREE TIMES THE 1 CHILD CARE FEE FOR ALL. RATE OF INFLATION 3 32% 1 IN 4 AMOUNT OF INCOME SINGLE LICENSED CHILD CARE IS AVAILABLE PARENTS IN CANADA SPEND FOR ONLY 24% OF 0-5 YEAR OLDS 4 ON CHILD CARE 2

1 International Monetary Fund “Women are Key to Future Growth: Evidence from Canada” 2 OECD “Babies and Bosses Report” 3 Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives 4 Government of Canada’s Child Care Spaces Initiative This Labour Day, Canada’s unions will celebrate major victories won over the last year that will improve the day-to-day lives of all Canadians. Aren’t they worth it?

Canadian families spend almost one-quarter of their income on child care. Enough is enough. We need affordable, accessible, quality child care for all. 12 Thursday, August 31, 2017 A PEPPER MEDIA INITIATIVE IN CO-OPERATION WITH THE CANADIAN LABOUR CONGRESS Labour Day 2017

Visit aplanforeveryone.ca to learn more about how unions support all Canadians.

SEIU HEALTHCARE My Union. My Community. My Voice.

n the surface, SEIU Healthcare By having a greater platform to advocate Healthcare’s executive board as the LGBTQ is your typical union, represent- for the communities they represent, SEIU representative. “SEIU Healthcare has shown ing more than 58,000 health Healthcare’s executive board members have that community-specific issues, both inside care workers in Ontario. But been able to make a difference in their work- and outside of the workplace, are extremely if you look a little closer, it places, with community-specific language important and need to be addressed.” Obecomes clear that they’re more than that; being implemented into recent collective While it will always be the role of a union they’re a community. agreements, such as gender-neutral lan- to upgrade the working conditions of its In 2015, SEIU Healthcare restructured their guage being added into a recently negotiat- members, in today’s society, these issues are executive board, dedicating seats to ensuring ed agreement with a Toronto-based hospital. just one part of the equation. Unions in the equity in the workplace. These positions are They’ve also hosted many awareness-rais- 21st century must continue to address social occupied by representatives from specific ing community events related specifically issues as well, including bringing equity to communities: Aboriginal/Indigenous, LGBTQ, to the equity seats they occupy. The work the workplace. Persons with Disability, Retirees, Women, they’ve accomplished has empowered others “As a member of SEIU Healthcare, no Workers of Colour and Young Workers. to get involved, further amplifying the voices matter who you are, what you look like or “It was a trailblazing idea that I think not of these communities. what you believe in, you have a voice and only other unions, but other organizations “Traditionally, individuals who belong to the support of a community of more than in general will look at using in the future,” these communities often feel excluded or 58,000 health care workers,” said Spence. “It’s said Ainsworth Spence, who sits on SEIU SEIU Healthcare members take their intimidated because they don’t see them- empowering to know that when I am faced Healthcare’s executive board as the Workers of passion to the streets during the 2016 selves represented in leadership positions,” with an issue or fighting for a cause, I am not Colour representative. Labour Day Parade in Toronto. SUPPLIED said Sebastian Trujillo, who sits on SEIU just Ainsworth; I am SEIU Healthcare.” n

YOU ARE

DEDICATED. COMPASSIONATE. PROFESSIONAL.

@SEIUHealthcare @SEIUHealthCan @SEIU Healthcare SEIUHEALTHCARE.ca Labour Day 2017 A PEPPER MEDIA INITIATIVE IN CO-OPERATION WITH THE CANADIAN LABOUR CONGRESS Thursday, August 31, 2017 13

YOUNG FAMILIES My Union. My Community. My Voice. Child-care gains are a source of pride for Canada’s unions

ara Langlois is a Vancouver for significant funding increases over the teacher, her husband is an ar- next 10 years.” chitect, and yet, when their sec- The Liberals campaigned on a promise ond child is born in February, it to strike child-care agreements with all of will actually cost them money the provinces and territories. The frame- toS both stay at work. They now pay $1,500 work for those agreements was announced a month for one daughter’s child care, in June. So far, only Ontario has signed, but and having to pay $3,000 a month for two other agreements are imminent. would exceed Langlois' take-home pay. “We want to ensure the bilateral Even so, they consider themselves lucky agreements allow for significant progress – because they’re happy with their child care making more care available, increasing its at the YWCA. quality and making it more affordable and “I don’t know what other people do,” she inclusive,” Ballantyne says. says. “Price is a problem, but it’s also lack of The B.C. government’s commitment is spaces.” to create a child-care program that costs She knows single parents who’ve had to parents $10 a day. Households earning less stop working because they couldn’t afford than $40,000 a year will get free child care. Access to affordable child care is expanding in Canada, with federal funding and child care and couples now working differ- “The good news is that we have a provincial initiatives, and ongoing advocacy from Canada's unions. ISTOCKPHOTO.COM ent shifts - one daytime; one nighttime - to government committed to a comprehen- avoid the expense. Langlois says they’ll be sive program, which would lower costs, “Our plan here made a difference,” she was one of the top three election issues.” using savings and asking their parents for substantially increase the number of spac- says. “The Coalition, along with our part- Meanwhile, Alberta’s NDP government help if they both keep working when their es and increase pay for early childhood ners—parents, grandparents, child-care has launched a $25-a-day public child-care second child is born. education workers,” Gregson says. The new providers, businesses, labour groups, con- pilot at 18 early-learning child-care centres. The situation is what Sharon Greg- government also appointed a secretary of cerned citizens — made this happen. We Premier Rachel Notley has said her govern- son describes as “child-care chaos.” The state responsible for child care, signalling it released our plan in 2011 and built support ment will add more $25-a-day child-care spokeswoman for the Coalition of Child means business. for it across the province so child care really services as finances permit. n Care Advocates of B.C. hopes it’ll soon be addressed there, thanks to the NDP gov- BY THE NUMBERS ernment’s promise for $10-a-day child care. The dilemma facing Langlois is the same for many parents across Canada, but The growing cost and diminishing availability of child care in Canada advocates say there’s hope. They haven’t quite succeeded in their goal to secure high-quality universal child care for all, but they’re making progress thanks to a 2016 federal government that has pledged new 2014 funding. “We’re really happy it’s on the agenda,” says Morna Ballantyne, executive director of the Child Care Advocacy Association of Canada. “Canada’s unions, working with child-care advocates and those involved +8 per cent $36,000/year 70 per cent in child-care service delivery, have been FEES FOR REGULATED CHILD CARE A MIDDLE-INCOME FAMILY IN TORONTO WAIT LISTS ARE A COMMON FEATURE working hard, and there’s no question it’s IN CANADA’S 28 LARGEST CITIES WITH AN INFANT AND A TODDLER OF CENTRE-BASED CARE - WITH on the agenda in a big way.” INCREASED AN AVERAGE OF OVER 8 WOULD PAY $36,000 A YEAR FOR ALMOST ALL CITIES SURVEYED Ballantyne says that the 2017 federal PER CENT FROM 2014 TO 2016 - THREE REGULATED CHILD CARE - MORE THAN REPORTING THAT AT LEAST 70 PER CENT budget’s long-term funding commit- ment for child care was a significant step TIMES FASTER THAN INFLATION THE COST OF UNIVERSITY TUITION OF CENTRES MAINTAIN A WAIT LIST forward, but more money is needed and there’s still much to do. * SOURCE: A GROWING CONCERN: 2016 CHILD CARE FEES IN CANADA’S BIG CITIES, CANADIAN CENTRE FOR POLICY ALTERNATIVES “It’s a start,” she says. “We’ll be pushing

Investing in Ontario’s Nuclear Fleet Means Lower Costs and GHG Emissions, More Jobs and Better Energy Security and reliance on natural gas generation. Ontario Power Generation (OPG) Station refurbishment sustains more GHG reductions from the exchange are Pickering Nuclear units to the end of than 2,000 operations and maintenance estimated to be relatively small at about 2022 and four units to the end of 2024. jobs and creates over 5,000 additional a million tonnes a year. That’s because Pickering produces 3,100 MW of safe, construction jobs to 2025. The 180 plus today, Ontario rarely uses its existing low-cost, low-carbon electricity. A 2017 nuclear supply chain companies located natural gas generation and much of it is study by Strapolec, an independent energy in communities across the province are under long-term contracts. As Quebec’s market analyst, concluded the extended also major beneficiaries. generation is limited in winter, Ontario operations would avoid 18 million tonnes Electricity trading between Ontario is committed to supply 500 MW to of GHG emissions, sustain 40,000 person and Quebec has been a long-standing Quebec at those times. years of employment, save electricity practice and when well-structured, This 2016 arrangement is purported customers over $600 million, and curtail can be mutually beneficial. Going to save Ontario ratepayers $70 million spending billions of ratepayers’ dollars for forward, Ontario’s key challenge By Mel Hyatt over the 7-year agreement. In the winter, out-of-province energy imports. remains negotiating arrangements that President Quebec will effectively store the 500 MW Ontario announced the refurbishment best support our province’s electricity Power Workers’ Union and sell it back to Ontario in summer of the 4-unit Darlington Nuclear Station consumers and economy while achieving instead of Ontarians paying U.S. states to in early 2016 securing 3,500 MWs of real reductions in GHGs. Ontario’s On August 8th, Montreal’s La Presse accept our province’s electricity surplus. low-cost, low-carbon electricity to 2055. nuclear workhorse does just that. newspaper, reported that Hydro-Québec Under the latest offer, Ontario would and Ontario were finalizing a historic pay the Quebec Crown Corporation 20-year power exchange agreement. significantly more - 6.12 cents per kWh Ontario’s Ministry of Energy subsequently plus an annual increase of 2% in the Ontario’s Nuclear issued a statement describing the report sale price over the 20 years. Effectively, as inaccurate and incompatible with Quebec would store more of Ontario’s Ontario’s core objectives. surplus, importing it “free of charge” Workhorse Delivers Ontario’s Energy Minister requires that and then selling it back to Ontario when future agreements with Quebec meet needed and available. Benefits Today 3 principles. Any proposal must be cost The 8 TWh proposal would not supply effective and cost less than other supply secure baseload electricity, nor could and Tomorrow options. It must include firm capacity that it compete on price with Ontario’s meets Ontario’s resource requirements. low-cost, GHG-free, nuclear and Extending the safe operations of the Pickering Nuclear Station to 2024 and refurbishing Finally, it must validate the provinces’ hydroelectric production. Ontario the Darlington and Bruce Nuclear Stations are smart, “good-for-Ontario” decisions. shared goal of reducing greenhouse gas already has one of the lowest-cost, Ontarians benefit in many ways: (GHG) emissions, particularly from lowest-GHG emission electricity • Abundant, affordable and reliable, low-carbon electricity 24/7 for decades to come domestic natural gas generation. systems in the world. • Lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions Under the 2017 Quebec offer, an Fortunately, Ontario has already • Tens of thousands of existing and new jobs expansion of last fall’s 7-year energy made smart, “good-for-the-province” • A vibrant, successful, world-leading, multi-billion dollar a year nuclear industry exchange agreement, Hydro-Québec • Tens of millions of dollars to fund world-leading Research and Development decisions by securing the low-cost, low- at Ontario colleges, universities, hospitals and laboratories would sell 8 terawatt hours (TWh) per carbon nuclear baseload generation that year to Ontario’s Independent Electricity • Production of valuable isotopes crucial for medical imaging will help reliably power the province’s • Energy security that is not dependent on energy imports System Operator (IESO) for 20 years. economy for decades to come. This is 4 times more electricity annually • Exports of low-carbon electricity and high value products and services that than Quebec provides to Ontario today, In the fall of 2015, the Ontario government reduce GHG emissions beyond Ontario representing about 6% of our province’s announced an agreement with Bruce Ontario’s nuclear advantage is a low-carbon energy workhorse in Ontario’s economy. electricity consumption. Power to refurbish the 8-unit station. This For more information please go to www.pwu.ca secured 6,300 MW of low-cost, low- The 2016 deal provides 500 megawatts carbon, 24/7 electricity to the 2060s. The FROM THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO HELP KEEP THE LIGHTS ON. (MW) of surplus power annually at agreement also supports tens of thousands a fixed, above market price (average of good, existing Ontario jobs, while export price of 4.8 cents/kilowatt-hour creating tens of thousands of new ones. (kWh)) when available from Quebec. The deal states that these imports are In December 2015, Ontario committed to reduce Ontario’s GHG emissions to the continued operation of two Donald Trump has failed the test of moral leadership, but we must not.

“Every local, regional and national labour leader, political leader, business and community leader has a responsibility to ensure that today’s fascists are denied the support they need to survive. We must all commit to challenging the racism that is still too prevalent in our homes, workplaces and communities. And we must all publicly and unconditionally condemn fascism, and those who refuse to condemn it.

Because what happened in Charlottesville can happen anywhere.”

Hassan Yussuff President of the Canadian Labour Congress