Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour (NLFL)

12/04/2024

Yesterday, Labour Minister Lisa Dempster announced amendments to Labour Standards that will remove the requirement for employees to provide employers with sick notes after 3 consecutive days of sick leave.

“This is a good first step by the government on this front; one that workers and their unions, as well as the medical community, have been requesting for some time,” said NLFL President Jessica McCormick. “This change will reduce stress on our healthcare system, free up healthcare workers to focus on providing care, improve access to healthcare, and allow workers to concentrate on getting healthy before returning to work.”

“However, the full impact of this change will depend on individual employers, who will still have the ability to set their own sick note policies, even for short-term illnesses,” said McCormick. “Employers should absolutely follow the precedent set by this change – for our healthcare system and for workers – but they are not required to do so.”

Read more here:

The Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour (NLFL) welcomes the proposed changes to the Labour Standards Act that will remove the requirement for workers to provide a medical note after three consecutive days of sick leave. The policy change still allows employers to implement their own polic...

11/27/2024

Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour (NLFL) President, Jessica McCormick, is calling on the provincial and federal governments to work together and with all affected parties to confront the threat of massive trade tariffs by the incoming American Administration.

“If enacted, Trump’s proposed 25% tariff would have a devastating impact on workers, jobs, our economy, and our province as a whole,” said McCormick. “We must all work together to do whatever we can to ensure that these tariffs never materialize - there is simply too much at stake.”

The Newfoundland and Labrador economy depends greatly on exports to America. In 2022, Newfoundland and Labrador exported over $7B of goods to the United States. A tariff on this trade and of this magnitude would impact all parts of our province’s economy, not only the directly targeted sectors - people’s livelihoods, public sector funding, community funding, social programs, etc.

“We need all hands on deck to tackle this issue and workers must be involved in any strategy as it will be workers and their families who will bear the brunt of the impacts of these tariffs,” said McCormick. “Labour is ready to assist the Premier and the provincial and federal governments in the effort to stop these catastrophic tariffs from coming into existence.”

The NLFL will be meeting with the Premier and other stakeholders to discuss the proposed tariffs, their impact, and how to work together to protect Newfoundland and Labrador workers and their families.

Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour (NLFL) President, Jessica McCormick, is calling on the provincial and federal governments to work together and with all affected parties to confront the threat of massive trade tariffs by the incoming American Administration.  “If enacted, Trump’s ...

11/25/2024

Are you passionate about building a strong and effective labour movement in Newfoundland and Labrador?

The NLFL is seeking an Executive Director to join our team and advance the interests of our 70,000 members, to enhance the socio-economic wellbeing of all workers in the province, and strengthen worker and collective bargaining rights.

Join our team! Learn more about this role and how to apply here: https://nlfl.nf.ca/job-posting-executive-director/

11/20/2024

💪 A heartfelt thank you to Jessica McCormick of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour for her powerful speech at our conference today!

🗣️ Your message on the importance of labour movements staying politically active resonated deeply.

Together, we’ll drive change for workers everywhere. ✊

11/19/2024

There are more photos to come but here’s a snapshot of our 2024 Midterm Convention which wrapped up today in St. John’s.

Delegates are heading back to their locals energized and inspired to put workers’ issues front and centre for candidates and political parties in upcoming elections.

11/19/2024

Some more amazing photos from yesterday’s rally with CUPW STTP taken by CUPW Local 126 member Philip Crocker.

11/18/2024

Hundreds of union activists gathered outside Canada Post offices on Water Street today to show our solidarity and support for striking CUPW STTP members.

When postal workers, or any worker, is under attack, we unite and fight back!

Solidarity! ✊

11/18/2024

Nearly 300 Federation of Labour Convention Delegates to Join Striking Postal Workers on Picket Line

Delegates attending the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour (NLFL) 2024 Convention this week will join striking Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) at their downtown St. John’s picket line today as a show of support and solidarity.

Nearly 55,000 postal workers across the country are currently on strike after reaching an impasse at the bargaining table.

“The postal workers are striking for fair wages, safe working conditions, the right to retire with dignity, improved sick leave provisions, and the expansion of services at the public post office,” said NLFL President Jessica McCormick. “We will be sending a message loud and clear to Canada Post, to the federal government, and any employer that dares to roll back the gains we’ve made, that the workers of this country are united and a force to be reckoned with.”

The solidarity rally will take place:

Monday, November 18, 2024
12:00 p.m.
CUPW Picket Line
Canada Post Office
354 Water Street
St. John’s, NL

11/15/2024

Lots of energy and solidarity on the CUPW STTP picket line here in St. John’s. Dropped some hot coffee and donuts for the crew and I know our NLFL affiliates will be down here with more solidarity and support.

It’s CUPW member Suzanne Clarke Oliver’s birthday today. If she’s got to spend her bday on a picket line, at least she’s surrounded by a whole lot of love from her union family!

11/15/2024

More than 55,000 postal workers across Canada are now on strike.

The NLFL stands in solidarity with them in their fight for fair wages, safe working conditions, the right to retire with dignity, and the expansion of services at the public post office. ✊✊

For Immediate Release – OTTAWA – Some 55,000 postal workers represented by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) went on a nationwide strike on Friday, November 15 at 12:01am ET. After a year of bargaining with little progress, postal workers made the difficult decision to strike. Canada P...

11/12/2024

Today, NLFL President Jessica McCormick and affiliated union representatives met with PC Party of Newfoundland & Labrador leader Tony Wakeham and MHAs Lela Evans and Lin Paddock to discuss challenges facing workers who are trying to unionize in the province.

Workers are rightly demanding more balanced and fair labour laws, including bringing back single-step certification (also known as ‘card check’), and are calling for additional staffing and resources at the Labour Relations Board to immediately address delays that are undermining workers’ and Charter Rights.

The process is stacked against workers right now and they need the government to level the playing field.

11/12/2024

Solidarity with CUPW STTP!

CUPW Issues 72-Hour Strike Notices

https://www.cupw.ca/en/cupw-issues-72-hour-strike-notices-0

11/08/2024

Today, NLFL and affiliated unions joined CUPW STTP for a rally in St. John’s.

We’re calling on Canada Post to give these workers a fair deal.

Canada Post is a Crown corporation, and it should lead by example. It should not aspire to be like Amazon and Uber that rely on part-time work, low wages, high turnover, and atrocious health and safety records.

We already know what the gig economy offers workers and it’s absolutely nothing to aspire to.

CUPW is fighting to maintain good jobs and benefits, to provide a decent, healthy and safe workplace for workers and fairness and dignity for workers in retirement.

A strong public postal service is important to us all. Let’s show these workers our solidarity and support!

11/07/2024

📢 The NLFL is hiring! 📢

We are currently seeking a Worker Advisor to join our small but mighty team. This posting will fill a vacancy created by a leave of absence.

📍 Location: St. John's, NL
📅Application Deadline: November 21, 2024, 4:00pm
⏰Duration: Temporary, Full-time
💰Remuneration: Competitive salary, pension and benefits in accordance with Unifor Local 597 Collective Agreement

📌 Major Responsibilities include:
- Compile information, through investigation and research, to advocate on behalf of injured workers.
- Ongoing communication with injured workers to assist with identifying entitlement/appeal issues and researching and preparing submissions to support the resolution of issues prior to appeals.
- Provide advice and guidance in ensuring the application of the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Act and Policies.
- Preparing for and representing injured workers to WorkplaceNL and at Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Review Division.

📌 Required Knowledge, Experience and Competencies include:
- Specific knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Act/Policies and other relevant legislation.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills. Handling multiple workers’ issues while adhering to the required timelines is a key component of this role.
- A sound understanding of the labour movement, unions and workers’ rights.

Full application details here: https://nlfl.nf.ca/job-posting-worker-advisor/

📝 To apply, email your cover letter and resume to [email protected]

11/07/2024

Thank you to New Democratic Party of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL NDP) for meeting with union representatives today to discuss the challenges, obstacles and frustrations facing workers who are trying to exercise their Charter right to join a union.

We need to level the playing field.