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On Wednesday, September 11, 2019, the writ was dropped in the 2019 Federal Election. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau went to the Governor General’s residence and asked for Parliament to be dissolved, walking back out as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada.
At that same time, in cities and towns across the country, Unifor member organizers were already out knocking on doors, talking with fellow workers about the importance of the federal election.
Unifor launched its member-to-member campaign on September 4. On that day, approximately 120 member organizers knocked on the doors of 2,500 Unifor members, bringing information about the issues that matter to Canada’s workers, and a reminder to vote on October 21.
“Our goal with this campaign is to ask all Unifor members to stand strong, and elect a government that has a real plan for workers,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “We’ve heard from members that it’s getting harder to afford a decent standard of living in this country. In order to change that, we need to elect a progressive government that puts workers’ rights first, to raise wages and stop putting profits before people.”
At the Unifor Convention in August of 2019, members voted to adopt a bold advertising campaign to Stop Conservative leader Andrew Scheer.
Unifor Assistant to the National President Katha Fortier presented that vision to delegates, highlighting the division of the federal Conservative message that seeks to pit workers against each other, scapegoating immigrants and refugees, and falsely asserting that we must choose between addressing the climate crisis or growing good jobs.
“Dividing Canada’s workers, and blaming oppressed people will never solve the problems that we face. We can only win when we turn to stand against those who hold the power head on, together,” Fortier said in her address.
All members are encouraged to directly participate in the campaign. Organizing meetings are scheduled across the country in the coming weeks. Find one in your region here.
“Canvassing is a great way to learn about the union and get to know Unifor members in my community. What I’ve found, knocking on doors in the lead up to the election, is that Unifor members are tired of being squeezed by Ford’s conservative cuts in Ontario. They’re looking for relief, for a government that will put worker’s priorities first,” said Nancy Brissett, Unifor Kitchener-Waterloo member organizer.
Over the campaign, tens of thousands of conversations will occur between Unifor members as the union continues to deliver a message to vote for workers’ rights in the federal election.
For more information visit StopScheer.ca
