Unifor said it is encouraged by new federal government support measures for the forestry and steel industries, both of which have been hard-hit by the ongoing U.S. trade war.
The union welcomed funding to expand the use of Canadian softwood lumber in housing and prioritizing projects that can begin within 12 months, saying the measures will sustain forestry jobs while contributing to solutions to the affordable housing crisis.
“Our forestry and steel communities have been pushed to the brink by the trade war. These new measures are a welcome step, but they must translate into immediate supports that stabilize jobs today while preparing our industries for the future,” said Lana Payne, Unifor national president.
Work-sharing enhancement welcomed, broader reforms needed
The union welcomed the increase to the Work-Sharing replacement rate as an important start but called for the measure to be extended to broader Employment Insurance reforms. Unifor is calling for increasing the income replacement rate to 75 per cent, raising the ceiling on insurable earnings and eliminating harsh disqualification rules.
Unifor said it expects the newly announced Canadian Forest Sector Transformation Task Force to include labour representation to advocate for worker-forward policies that protect unionized jobs and help grow the sector.
“The creation of a forestry sector transformation task force and enhanced Work-Sharing income replacement are both measures that Unifor has long sought to support forestry workers across Quebec and Canada,” said Daniel Cloutier, Unifor Quebec director.
Union calls for lower threshold on Buy Canadian Policy
Unifor said it supports the implementation of a Buy Canadian Policy but called for a lower threshold to more effectively support jobs across multiple industries. The union also urged corporate Canada to invest in and support Canadian jobs.
The reduction of freight rates to move steel and lumber across the country will strengthen domestic supply chains by making it more affordable to utilize rail and expand east-west trade, according to the union.
In the steel sector, the union said it applauds added protections, including reduced tariff-rate quota levels, stronger border measures to prevent foreign steel dumping and a global 25 per cent tariff on imported derivative products.
“Tightening quotas and enforcing tougher penalties are needed actions to make clear that our steel sector is not up for grabs,” said Payne. “If the U.S. wants to keep escalating this trade war, then Canada must be prepared to respond just as forcefully to safeguard our jobs, our resources and our industries.”
Unifor represents 320,000 workers in the private sector across Canada.
