UFCW Canada and the Agriculture Workers Alliance (AWA) are the recipients of this year’s prestigious Bob Borch Human Rights Award, which the OFL presents at each convention to organizations or individuals who display an extraordinary commitment to furthering the rights of workers in Ontario.
“The tireless efforts of UFCW Canada and the AWA on behalf of [...]

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Delegates today marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women with a minute of silence and renewed commitment to address the growing problem.
OFL secretary-treasurer Irene Harris made solemn reference to the upcoming 20th anniversary of the Montreal Massacre, when gunman Marc Lepine murdered 14 women at the Ecole Polytechnique. Two [...]

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It wasn’t really a debate, since no one spoke against the resolution. But it was a lively half hour of commentary that grabbed the attention of the convention.
Delegates were being asked to support a resolution to put a stop to internal conflicts, and they did. It directs the OFL and leaders of affiliated unions [...]

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The OFL’s Youth Booster Award goes this year to Debora De Angelis, a union activist who was a founding member of the OFL Youth Committee in 1997. Then a member of UNITE, DeAngelis is now a training and education representative for UFCW Canada.
De Angelis received the award for her initiative, enthusiasm and “never-take-no-for-an-answer” attitude, said [...]

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Unions have to keep defending workers’ rights and elect political leaders who will do the same, CLC executive vice-president Barb Byers told delegates this morning.
As job losses continue to mount, and private sector workers struggle with unemployment and lost pensions, corporate leaders “are setting their sights” on the public sector.
“If they can silence us, they [...]

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In his parting address to convention delegates, OFL president Wayne Samuelson focused on the economic crisis, unresponsive governments, and the pressing need for the labour movement to lead working people to better days.
Business and government leaders are blaming the crisis for fallout that’s actually caused by their own actions, and using it as an excuse [...]

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