Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke to Unifor this week in an effort to repair and renew a relationship with the country’s largest private sector union.
He said labour is a solution, not a problem, adding the labour movement has been essential to building a stronger economy.
“You hold employers to account, and that includes the federal government,” says Trudeau. “You fight for the interests of the middle class, and you demonstrate a sense of community in everything you do.”
Trudeau added Unifor has taken tremendous strides in achieving fairness for women, LGBTQ workers, Indigenous workers, and those with disabilities.
Thank you for speaking at #Unifor2016, @JustinTrudeau. We look forward to future discussions.
— Unifor Canada (@UniforTheUnion) August 24, 2016
Trudeau said unions and the government share common ground on efforts to make a strong middle class.
He added Budget 2016 outlined their plan to spend $120 billion on infrastructure projects over the next decade.
“This investment means better, well paying jobs for union members, and more livable communities for Canadian families, we invested more than $85 million in union based apprenticeship training,” says Trudeau.
He says they also reduced the EI waiting period from two weeks down to one effective January 2017.
Trudeau stated if all goes according to plan, this fall, the Liberals will repeal anti-union legislation put in place by the previous Conservative government.
The full video of Trudeau’s speech to Unifor can be found on CPAC HERE
