The Sunshine Coast Labour Council is urging Unifor and the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) to mend the rift that saw Unifor quit the CLC earlier this year.
Unifor announced in January that it was leaving the CLC, citing ongoing tensions over the role of U.S.-based unions in decisions by Canadian locals.
In a letter to the CLC and Unifor national headquarters, copied to Coast Reporter, Sunshine Coast Labour Council president Edward Erickson of the Hospital Employees Union urges both sides to come to an agreement that would see Unifor rejoin the congress as soon as possible.
“We also want you to know of the distress this has caused to members and the subsequent impact on our community as well as the entire Canadian labour movement,” the letter said. “Since the creation of the Sunshine Coast Labour Council in 1986, Unifor (or its predecessor Canadian Energy and Paper Workers) has not only been the largest union represented at our Labour Council, but has organized, planned and participated in many events and activities we have undertaken.”
In an update for members at the time of the split with the CLC, Unifor said it would “remain affiliated and continue to participate in and support the federations of labour and labour councils and our collaborative campaign work.”
But Erickson said this week that the Sunshine Coast Labour Council’s constitution limits participation by union locals who are not CLC members, and they’re worried it could have an impact on events like the upcoming National Day of Mourning and the Labour Day picnic.
Erickson said the relationship between Unifor and the broader labour movement on the Coast is still solid, and they feel caught up in the dispute between the two national organizations.
Don Rheaume, president of Unifor local 1119, which represents workers at Howe Sound Pulp and Paper, said in an email to Coast Reporter that he agrees with “the general thrust” of the Labour Council letter’s call for unity.
“I can assure the Sunshine Coast Labour Council and the community that the outstanding work and support that Unifor has done will continue,” Rheaume said. “Unifor 1119 activists on the Sunshine Coast will continue their struggle for working families regardless of any affiliations we may or may not have – it’s just too important to be sidetracked.”
Planning is already well underway for the National Day of Mourning ceremonies which will be held at the memorial in Dougall Park in Gibsons and, for the first time this year, in Sechelt at Spirit Square, April 28 at 11 a.m.
