Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour (NLFL)

08/16/2024

Sending solidarity to every worker at the St. John’s Telegram and its printing press.

Postmedia’s takeover threatens the future of local news in NL and will have far-reaching impacts for many organizations & businesses who rely on the printing press.

ST. JOHN’S—Unifor continues to advocate for its members and their work at The Telegram in St. John’s as Postmedia moves through the process to purchase most of the assets of The Telegram’s parent company, SaltWire Network, Inc.

08/14/2024

08/13/2024

More than 300 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers are gathered in St. John’s this week for their All Canada Progress Meeting. NLFL President Jessica McCormick spoke to the delegates this morning alongside Canadian Labour Congress - Congrès du travail du Canada President Bea Bruske. Newly appointed federal Minister of Labour and Seniors Steven MacKinnon was also in attendance and met with Bea and Jessica.

Congratulations to the local IBEW organizing committee and best wishes for successful meetings this week!

07/30/2024

Today, NLFL representatives met with NDP Members of Parliament Heather McPherson and Lindsay Mathyssen as well as former NLFL President and current NDP Candidate Mary Shortall to discuss McPherson’s private members bill to protect the Canada Pension Plan.

In the Spring, McPherson tabled a private member’s bill to protect Canadian workers’ pension plans. The Bill would require two thirds of Canadian provinces to agree before any province could withdraw from the federal pension program.

This is an important piece of legislation drafted in response to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s signals that they may attempt to pull out of the CPP. This move is a threat not just to Alberta’s workers but to all Canadian workers who rely on the CPP.

You can read more about the bill here: https://www.ndp.ca/news/ndps-heather-mcpherson-tables-bill-protect-canadians-pensions-conservatives

07/25/2024

Atlantic Canadians need a raise: One-third of Workers Earn Less than $20 an hour!

Workers in the Atlantic provinces bring home some of the lowest wages in the country. Data from Statistics Canada dispels common misconceptions that those who would benefit from such an increase are predominantly teenagers or students. In reality, the vast majority of these workers are not students, are over twenty, and are employed in permanent, full-time jobs.

In recent submissions to a review of minimum wage by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, CCPA-NS and the NLFL recommended a $20 minimum wage because “the existing base amount of the current minimum wage does not sufficiently reflect the cost of living as captured by living wage calculations.” A $20 minimum wage would be an important market reset to the base rate, narrowing the gap between minimum and living wages.

You can read the CCPA-NS report here:

Workers in the Atlantic provinces bring home some of the lowest wages in the country. Despite recent increases, Nova Scotia’s minimum wage remains the second lowest among all provinces in Canada. Othe

07/19/2024

If a picture paints a thousand words there are still not enough words to show how much we appreciate your bravery and your hard work. Thank you for everything you are doing to save our town. Photo Credit: Tynette Holloway

07/16/2024

Labour unions and public healthcare advocates united today outside the Premier’s meetings in Halifax to rally in support of public healthcare and universal pharmacare.

07/02/2024

You’re invited to join union members, activists and allies this Pride season as we participate in the St. John’s Pride Parade!

RSVP here: https://nlfl.nf.ca/events/march-with-unions-at-st-johns-pride/

WHEN: Sunday, July 21, 2024 at 12:00 p.m.
WHERE: Downtown St. John’s starting at City Hall

All union members are welcome to attend!

You’re invited to join union members, activists and allies this Pride season as we participate in the St. John’s Pride Parade! WHEN: Sunday, July 21, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. WHERE: Downtown St. John’s starting at City Hall All union members are welcome to attend! More details on meet-up location wi...

06/20/2024

June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day, a day of celebration that honours the heritage, resilience, and contributions of Indigenous People across Turtle Island.

We encourage you to take in events happening across the province on June 21 and join us to commit to take action on reconciliation and justice in our communities, in our workplaces, and in our unions.

NIPD events hosted by First Light are listed below.

Qalipu events can be found here: https://qalipu.ca/events/list/

Please share other NIPD events in the comments!

🎉 Our National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations are a go at Bannerman Park TOMORROW June 21 - we can't wait to celebrate with you!

🌞 Join us for the Sunrise Ceremony at 6 AM with a light breakfast to follow. 🎉Then, come back from 2:30 PM to 7 PM for an afternoon of powwow dancing, Inuit games, artisan markets, performances, hair braiding, and more!

06/19/2024

☀️ It's that time of year again; most of us look forward to warmer temps (especially in Newfoundland & Labrador), but when you have to work outside in the heat, it can be dangerous!

Wherever you are, and whether you are working or just enjoying the nice weather, be sure to take necessary steps to keep cool and hydrated this summer!

✅ Wear light, loose clothing
✅ Apply SPF 30+, 30 mins before exposure (reapply every 2 hours)
✅ Drink lots of water & avoid caffeinated beverages
✅ Watch for signs of heat exhaustion & heat stroke
✅ Take frequent breaks from the sun

06/04/2024

A 2022 audit obtained by CBC News has uncovered the provincial government's failure to hold employers accountable for workplace injuries and fatalities.

A lack of resources and improvements to the system resulted in 1 in 4 serious incident investigations that were not completed within the two-year statutory deadline. These systemic failures have allowed employers to avoid accountability for workplace accidents and serious injuries.

According to the audit: "In recent years there have been at least four of 16 investigations (25%) between 2017 and 2019 in which OHS investigations were not completed in sufficient time prior to expiration of the two year statutory deadline thereby precluding the option for prosecution."

Workplace investigations are an important tool to deter employers from neglecting their health and safety obligations. For years, the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour has called for stronger enforcement of health and safety laws and greater transparency to ensure employers and law makers are held to account.

Every day that passes without meaningful action is another day when workers are placed at risk. It’s time for our government to step up and take health and safety seriously to guarantee every worker returns home safe at the end of the day.

06/03/2024

Happy Pride! As we kick off Pride season across Canada this month, workers from every part of the country and from every sector of the economy are uniting in celebration and in support with q***r and trans folks everywhere.

We join in solidarity in the face of surging hate against the 2SLGBTQI+ community. Anti-2SLGBTQI+ hate is a worker issue.

Join Canada’s unions to fight for a safe, just and inclusive Canada for everyone. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

06/03/2024

💊Pharmacare Townhall💊

Member of Parliament for New Westminster-Burnaby, Peter Julian, will be in St. John’s on June 15 to host a townhall on Pharmacare. The townhall is open to any members of the public and will be an opportunity to learn more about what pharmacare will mean for you and your family.

WHAT: Pharmacare Townhall
WHEN: Saturday, June 15 at 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: Alley Room, Royal Canadian Legion Pleasantville Branch 56, 930 The Blvd, St. John’s

05/29/2024

Local child care advocates, including the NLFL, are celebrating progress made to improve working conditions for Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) with the announcement that the provincial government is committing to introduce a medical benefits plan for ECEs.

One of our Federation’s key recommendations in 2024 provincial budget consultations was a call for comprehensive benefits and pensions for ECEs. We are happy to see the government take steps to respond to the needs of ECEs and urge Minister Howell to continue this important work by introducing a dental benefit and defined benefit pension plan in line with plans announced recently in Nova Scotia.

Read more here:

Local child care advocates are celebrating progress made to improve working conditions for Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) with the announcement that the provincial government is committing to introduce a medical benefits plan for ECEs.  “There is no greater feeling than knowing you are apprecia...

05/28/2024

The NLFL was pleased to take part in the launch of a new graduate-level course, Climate Change and Sustainable Employment Relations at Memorial University today.

While bold clean energy investments are essential to the transition to a green, sustainable economy in Newfoundland and Labrador, so are good working conditions, high labour standards and harmonious labour relations established through project labour agreements, apprenticeship programs and community benefits agreements.

Our Federation is thrilled to see that Memorial is developing the training necessary to build an economy where sustainable industries are employing workers in good, sustainable, unionized jobs across the province. The kinds of good jobs that power flourishing, livable communities.

05/27/2024

Huge victory for the union movement and all working class people in this country.

The House of Commons voted unanimously today to ban the use of scabs for all federally regulated employers.

The legislation will cover nearly 1 million workers across the country.

This action levels the playing field for collective bargaining and job actions.

Now, it’s time to put the pressure on the government of Newfoundland and Labrador to follow suit and enact legislation in this province.

Let’s do this, Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour (NLFL) !

(Full story on CTV news website)

05/17/2024

May 17 is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. To mark this day, and to conclude Society of Q***r Momentum Rainbow Week of Action, advocates and allies gathered in St. John’s to write letters to our elected officials calling on them to reject hate and take action for rainbow equality - and a more free and equal Canada for everyone. Thank you to everyone who joined us! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️
YWCA St. John's Quadrangle NL No Space for Hate

05/13/2024

On behalf of the 70,000 members of the NLFL, we'd like to wish Perry Feltham a happy retirement and thank him for his years of service as a champion for improved health and safety in the workplace.

Perry has worked at the Come by Chance refinery, USW Local 9316, for the past 33 years and has 37 years in the fire service. Through his work with the United Steel Workers, Perry has co-chaired his local Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee, supported the creation of the provincial manufacturing and processing safety sector, Made Safe NL, and has been a member of the NLFL Occupational Health and Safety Committee for a number of terms.

Today marked Perry's last meeting with the NLFL OH&S Committee and we wish him a happy, healthy, and safe retirement!

05/09/2024

Workers in early learning and child care do essential work. They help guide our children’s learning and development, but they also enable parents to fully participate in the growth of our communities.

To solve the workforce crisis in early learning and child care, we need to improve working conditions. And to do that, we need to recognize the expertise of the people who do this important work and acknowledge their vital contribution to our communities.

CUPE SCFP is asking parents, children and workers to share personal stories that celebrate early learning and child care.

https://cupe.ca/lets-shine-light-early-learning-and-childcare

ABCs & ECEs NL Child Care Now

Workers in early learning and child care do essential work. They help guide our children’s learning and development, but they also enable parents to fully participate in the growth of our communities. To solve the workforce crisis in early learning and child care, we need to improve working condit...

05/08/2024

TOMORROW IN ST. JOHN'S AND ONLINE!

Please join us for an engaging session on Labour Market Policy Challenges in Newfoundland and Labrador. This evening panel discussion is co-hosted by the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour and the Harris Centre.

WHEN: Thursday, May 9, 6:30PM to 8:00PM
WHERE: MUNL Signal Hill Campus

Register here: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/2aab5300e8fe469894b98706e6b7d9a1?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3dtYNVTzPwF0o9AAgrX_A1qxRQ_-mVrykWaSXpk6Sbknrzp0J5-aflzhQ_aem_AYaUI7CFeQQRL_017hj7BOozEre2DzUYICm7d4ttDelKjmKw6Cm2iMVMvcqeO-p41F1fi0jWLJCDiAyf2vG6oeFn

Please join us for an engaging session on Labour Market Policy Challenges in Newfoundland and Labrador. This evening panel discussion is co-hosted by the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour and the Harris Centre.

WHEN: Thursday, May 9, 6:30PM to 8:00PM
WHERE: MUNL Signal Hill Campus

Our province is facing a multitude of challenges when it comes to the future of our local labour market. Join us for a panel discussion as we unpack NL’s unique challenges and explore possible solutions and policy approaches covering topics such as access to affordable childcare, low wage work, international workers, and the energy transition.

This is a free event. Register here: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/2aab5300e8fe469894b98706e6b7d9a1

Moderator: Jessica McCormick, President, Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour
Panelists:
Christine Saulnier, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
Maria Dussan, Anti-Racism Coalition of Newfoundland and Labrador
Patrice Gordon, Child Care Now NL
Angela Carter, Political Science, Memorial University
Russell Williams, Political Science, Memorial University

Please share with your networks. We look forward to seeing you there on May 9!

05/05/2024

Today, on , we remember and honour Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S).

Join us in standing in solidarity and committing to action to end violence against MMIWG2S. Take time today to read the Calls for Justice from the National Inquiry into MMIWG2S https://mmiwg-ffada.ca

Today is Red Dress Day, a day devoted to remembering, honouring, and advocating on behalf of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQ+ people. Inspired by Jamie Black, a Métis artist from Manitoba who hung hundreds of red dresses in public to represent MMIWG2S+, this day raises awareness about the disproportionate violence that Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people face in Canada.

Five years after the final report on MMIWG, the crisis persists. On Red Dress Day and beyond, let’s stand in solidarity, honour the lives lost, and demand action. Together, we can create a safe future for all Indigenous people.

If you want to learn more about this crisis, visit Safe Passage, our initiative that monitors and provides resources on MMIWG2S+: https://bit.ly/3wp27Xt

05/04/2024

Join us today for a May Day Labour March for Palestine. Starting at 2PM at the Bannerman Park gazebo. Bring your union flag!

05/03/2024

📣Statement in Solidarity with Tent City Resident Protestors📣

The ongoing eviction of encampment residents of Tent City in St. John's is a disturbing display of our government’s lack of empathy, respect and basic understanding of human rights, including the right to housing.

The fight for housing justice is also a fight for racial and economic justice. It’s a fight for equity. These are all key pillars of our work in the labour movement.

The housing and homelessness crisis in our province affects us all. We cannot sit on the sidelines. The folks experiencing these vulnerable situations are our neighbours, co-workers, friends, former classmates, family; above all, they are humans who deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.

In times of crisis, we must remember and act on the working class solidarity that is at the heart of the labour movement. We leave no one behind.

Many of us who are privileged enough to have a roof over our head and a warm, safe, healthy place to live, are only one pay cheque, one setback away from being housing insecure.

Housing is a human right. Public money should be spent on the public good, not on displacing unhoused people or on enriching private corporations.

We call on the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to uphold the human rights of Tent City Resident Protestors and take all steps immediately necessary to assist resident protestors in securing safe, long-term, secure housing.

05/01/2024

Please join us for an engaging session on Labour Market Policy Challenges in Newfoundland and Labrador. This evening panel discussion is co-hosted by the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour and the Harris Centre.

WHEN: Thursday, May 9, 6:30PM to 8:00PM
WHERE: MUNL Signal Hill Campus

Our province is facing a multitude of challenges when it comes to the future of our local labour market. Join us for a panel discussion as we unpack NL’s unique challenges and explore possible solutions and policy approaches covering topics such as access to affordable childcare, low wage work, international workers, and the energy transition.

This is a free event. Register here: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/2aab5300e8fe469894b98706e6b7d9a1

Moderator: Jessica McCormick, President, Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour
Panelists:
Christine Saulnier, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
Maria Dussan, Anti-Racism Coalition of Newfoundland and Labrador
Patrice Gordon, Child Care Now NL
Angela Carter, Political Science, Memorial University
Russell Williams, Political Science, Memorial University

Please share with your networks. We look forward to seeing you there on May 9!

05/01/2024

Happy May Day!

The history of International Workers’ Day dates back to the late 1800s when workers held general strikes and won the 8-hour work day.

More than 150 years later, workers are still fighting for dignity and respect.

As long as workers continue to struggle against exploitation and oppression under capitalism, as long as our demands for a more fair and just society aren’t met, then we must continue to mark May Day, and organize together in solidarity for a better world.

04/30/2024

Due to tomorrow’s forecasted weather, the May Day Organizing Committee has decided to postpone the May Day Rally that was scheduled to take place at 12:00 PM.

The Committee’s theme for May Day this year was “Labour and Peace.” With this in mind, the Organizing Committee is encouraging everyone to join in on the Labour March for Palestine scheduled for Saturday, May 4 at 2PM at Bannerman Park.