On October 6th, 2022, WUCC Local 459 members received overwhelming support from the Manitoba Federation of Labour, the Winnipeg and District Labour Council, Manitoba NDP leaders: Wab Kinew, Lisa Naylor and Jamie Moses, the University of Manitoba Faculty Association, Operating Engineers Local 987, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1505, CUPE Local 2348, and Unifor Local 832 & Retirees who marched in solidarity with these Garment Manufacturing Workers during day 7 of their strike with Freed and Freed!

WUCC Local 459 members are saying NO to the Status Quo - they are striking to protect and improve what they currently have in their contract and demanding wages reasonably above the new minimum wage in Manitoba which went up to $13.50 per hour on October 1, 2022. 

If you would like to send an encouraging message to Local 459 members or join the picket line, email us at [email protected] and/or visit us on social media!

Credit: Manitoba Federation of Labour

On September 26th, LOCAL 459 - Freed and Freed GARMENT WORKERS WENT ON STRIKE! This company claims to be founded upon a legacy that refuses "to compromise an ethical workforce", while refusing to pay what we believe is a fair wage! SHAME!

Show your support to these courageous workers by sharing words of solidarity on our social media!

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"The Workers United Canada Council Executive Committee members would like to thank all applicants for their submissions to this year's Barry Fowlie Scholarship! It was truly a pleasure reading your thought-provoking essays. Congratulations to our future leaders, best wishes to everyone pursuing higher learning, and best of luck in your future endeavors! Barry would be so proud!"

The Barry Fowlie Scholarship is open to Workers United Canada Council (WUCC) members or children of WUCC members who are students entering their first-year post-secondary education - College, University, or Trades School.

The 2023 Barry Fowlie Scholarship application will re-open in July 2023 - please check out the "What's New" section on our website for an announcement.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected] with the subject line: Scholarship.

Thank you.

THE LABOR DAY PARADE IS RETURNING TO THE STREETS! 

LET'S CELEBRATE OUR ACHIEVEMENTS, DEMONSTRATE OUR STRENGTH, HONOR THOSE WE HAVE LOST, & CONTINUE TO PUSH FOR CHANGE BY SUPPORTING ONGOING STRUGGLES! - SOLIDARITY WITH TSSA WORKERS, OPSEU LOCAL 546! -  #StrikeForSafety and send a letter to TSSA (the employer), sign a petition, alert your MPP, and send support to striking OPSEU members! 

Join us on Monday, September 5th 2022 at 8:45 AM  - The parade starts at 9:30 AM SHARP!

Meet us at:

SECTION 9A: East (Blvd) Side of University Avenue North from Armoury to Dundas St. W.

Bring your family to celebrate 150 years together as members of the Labor Movement!

We will be handing out snacks, drinks, t-shirts & more! 

Congratulations Larry - Local 152, for winning first place in the Labor Day Parade Contest!

Put People Over Profit - Levi’s Must Sign the International Accord Now!

Last week, Workers United joined the Bangladesh Garment and Industrial Workers Federation, Remake, United Students Against Sweatshops, Model Alliance, Remember the Triangle Fire Coalition, the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, and other allies in a demonstration held at the Levi’s flagship store in Times Square in New York City.  

Demonstrators entered the Levi’s store and delivered a letter to the management. The demonstration continued in front of the store, where Levi’s was called on to join the International Accord for Health and Safety in the Textile and Garment Industry, which has achieved dramatic progress since 2013. 

It’s been 9 years since 1,138 workers died at Rana Plaza and nearly one year since the Accord–the most successful workplace safety program in modern fashion history–was renewed and expanded into an international agreement. Under the Accord, Bangladesh’s brutal history of garment factory deaths was halted. And even though 175 other brands, including Uniqlo, Zara, and H&M support the new International Accord agreement, Levi’s has refused to sign, threatening to undo progress. 

Click here to send a letter to Levi's and ask them to keep their workers safe!

“Levi's is dangerously behind the curve when it comes to making garment factories safe places to work. Levi's has decided to pursue a voluntary approach to factory safety, which we know from many years of experience does not work. It is well past time for Levi’s to sign the Accord and ensure the safety of their workers.” - Kalpona Akter, President of Bangladesh Garment and Industrial Workers Federation 

"Since its inception in 2013, the Accord has achieved immense progress in making garment factories in Bangladesh measurably safer, saving countless lives. As a company that prides itself on sustainability in action and living its values, Levi's has a responsibility to sign the International Accord and ensure safe workplaces for the workers in its supply chain. No worker should have to risk their life in order to go to work.” - Edgar Romney, Secretary-Treasurer, Workers United

Local 2740 - Bargaining Committee taking an Oath of Office before negotiating their upcoming contract with Monarch Industries! Welcome to the team!

Click here to apply: https://forms.gle/HhRSYpsvrQbvkfPB7

Deadline is Wednesday June 10th at 3pm

See Printable Flyer

Peel Regional Labour Council

Abs Diza, a Workers United Canada Council Union Representative in Manitoba has been chosen the winner of the 2022 Manitoba Federation of Labour Judy Cook Award, which recognizes women trade unionists who have made significant contributions to the labor movement. Congratulations Abs!!  

Yesterday, garment workers from Local 178 who work at Watson Gloves in British Columbia walked off the job to strike for better working conditions and a fair contract! See you at the picket line!