Issue 56 – 25, June 22, 2025
Congress of Union Retirees of Canada (CURC) – Convention 2025 summary.
CURC held its first in-person convention in 7 years this past week, with 109 delegates, and 3 guests in attendance.
The conventions held every 3 years, giving the members the opportunity select the leadership responsible to carry out the mandate developed through the convention and provided for in the constitution.
Leadership Elections
President- Michael MacIsaac (IAM&AW)1st
Vice-President- Louisette Hinton (UFCW/ASUR)
2nd Vice-President-Lyle Hargrove (Unifor)
Treasurer-Patty Coates (ARM/OSSTF)
Secretary-Sandra Snider (OPSEU Retirees)
Members-at-Large
Indigenous Peoples-Joanne Webb (CUPE/HBO)
People of Colour-Patrick Williams (SOAR/USW)
|Women-Janice Bernier (SURF)
Delegates supported a resolution to change the configuration of the executive, demonstrating moving forward to be more inclusive, identifying a separate position for a member at large to represent Indigenous Peoples, and a separate position for a member at large to represent People of Colour.
The other change to the executive generating over whelming supported by the delegates was adding six members representing the affiliates to the decision-making body.
Delegates expressed their appreciation for the wonderful, educational and informative presentations from variety of excellent speakers. Covering the State of the labour movement, the Canadian Economy and the challenges for the aging,
The Resistance Tour – Calling out Donald Trump and the like, Health Care and the need to protect, UN Convention on the Rights of Older People, and Affordability where governments make choices of who and what to support. Summaries of these presentations will be provided in a full report later.
Delegates debated a broad spectrum of issues, starting the convention with a resolution calling on The Congress of Union Retirees of Canada to call on all levels of government to ensure that Canada remains as the sovereign great country we know today and not under any circumstances become part of the United State of America.Delegates encouraged CURC to work with its affiliates and lobby the federal government to create a manufacturing strategy, ensuring infrastructure projects are built with Canadian materials, including clear procurement agreements. Delegates are calling on CURC to lobby the federal government to ensure that any future trade agreements enshrine the above provision and protect the jobs of Canadian workers and survival of Canadian corporations.
Clearly the delegates expressed support the existing moratorium on the closure of rural post offices, continue to oppose the ending of door-to-door mail delivery, work with CUPW to expand the services to be offered by Canada Post including postal banking, and senior check in.Lobby the federal government for a “National Seniors’ Care Strategy” with equitable, publicly funded services, including enforceable standards.
The convention delegates reaffirmed their commitment to defending union retiree rights, strengthen public healthcare, safeguard pensions, and advancing social justice. Through strategic lobbying, coalition-building, and activism, CURC aims to influence federal and provincial policies to secure a dignified and equitable future for all union retirees.
Celebrating a Big Win for Workers: Federal Anti-Scab Law Takes Effect
The Congress of Union Retirees of Canada is happy to celebrate an important victory for workers across the country.
On June 20, 2025, a new law called anti-scab legislation officially came into effect. This law stops employers in federally-regulated workplaces from hiring replacement workers—often called scabs—when workers are on strike or locked out. This is a big step toward making sure workers are treated fairly and can stand up for better wages and working conditions.
This law, known as Bill C-58, was originally passed in 2024 and now becomes law. It makes a big change to the Canada Labour Code, which is the set of rules about how workplaces and workers negotiate. For years, many unions fought to stop employers from using scabs because it made strikes last longer and made it harder for workers to get fair deals.
Thanks to the NDP and the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), Unifor, CUPE, the United Steelworkers (USW) and many other unions worked hard to make this happen. They know that when employers use replacement workers, it weakens workers’ power during disputes. The new law applies to workplaces like banks, phone and TV companies, postal services, and transportation. Its goal is to give workers a fair chance to negotiate without fear of being replaced.
Lana Payne, the leader of Unifor, said that this law gives workers more power to negotiate. “No employer should be able to replace workers during a strike,” she said. “This is a big victory for everyone who has ever gone on strike and demanded fair treatment.
”Even though this law is now in place, union leaders remind everyone that we need to stay watchful. Some employers are already trying to find ways around the law. For example, at DHL Express, union members are fighting to make sure the company follows the new rules.
Marty Warren, a leader from the USW, said, “This is a great step forward, but it’s not the end. We will keep working to make sure the law is enforced and that workers are protected.
”Unions also want all provinces to follow the federal government and pass similar laws. Some provinces, like Quebec, British Columbia, and Manitoba, already have anti-scab laws, but more work is needed to make sure workers everywhere are protected.
This law shows what workers and unions can do when they work together. It helps create a fairer system where workers can negotiate without employers using unfair tactics. This benefits not only workers but also the economy because it encourages better working conditions and fair wages.
As retired union members, we are proud of this victory. We believe it’s important to keep fighting for a future where all workers are treated with respect and fairness. We stand with current workers and future generations to make sure workplaces are fair and just for everyone.
Mark Carney’s Legislation: Not a Friend of Workers, the Environment, or Indigenous Peoples
The House of Commons has passed a new law called the One Canadian Economy Act, with the support of every member of the Conservative Caucus, “let that sink in”. Many people believe this law is not good for workers, the environment, or Indigenous communities. Instead, it seems to favor big businesses and the government’s own interests.
The law tries to make it easier to build big projects like pipelines, mines, ports, and electricity grids and highways. It promises to speed up approvals so projects can start faster. The government says this will help grow the economy and create jobs.
However, the law also gives the government too much power. It allows the cabinet (a small group of ministers) to decide if a project is in the “national interest” without full review or public input. This means the government can approve projects without properly consulting Indigenous peoples or protecting the environment.
The government pushed this law very quickly, even though many groups are concerned. Indigenous groups, Labour groups, environmental organizations, NDP and Block politicians say the process was too rushed. They believe the government is not listening to the people who will be most affected.
Many experts including the NDP and Block parties say the law is too powerful and not transparent. It could lead to corruption and unfair decisions. They warn that giving so much power to the cabinet without proper oversight is dangerous for democracy.
Carney’s law also lets the government decide which projects are most important. This means some companies or industries could get special treatment, while others are left out. This “picking winners and losers” can lead to unfair advantages and corruption.
Many Indigenous leaders are upset. They say the government did not properly consult with them before making this law. Indigenous communities want to be involved in decisions that affect their land and rights. But the law gives the government the power to ignore their concerns or only talk to them if their rights might be affected “adversely,” which is vague and unfair.
Indigenous Leader, Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) regional chief emphasized, “The government must listen to Indigenous communities, not push projects through without us. Our land and rights matter.”
“We only learned about this legislation after a surprise letter from the government. We weren’t involved early enough, and that’s not fair.” She emphasizes that Indigenous communities want to be involved in decisions about projects on their land, but the law only requires consultation if their rights might be “adversely affected,” which is a vague and weak standard.
Indigenous leaders have criticized the law because it could override their own land agreements and treaties.
The law allows the government to approve big projects, like pipelines or mines, without fully reviewing how they will affect communities, wildlife or water sources. Environmental groups like Ecojustice warn that this law could throw out rules meant to protect or communities, wildlife, water sources, or endangered species.
Projects like oil pipelines could be approved even if they increase carbon emissions and go against Canada’s climate goals. Climate activist and environmental lawyer Charles Hatt states, “This law could set back Canada’s efforts to fight climate change by allowing dirty energy projects to go ahead without proper scrutiny.”
Critics say this puts profits over protecting the planet.Because the law promotes quick approvals for big projects, companies might start work and then delay or cancel other projects. This causes uncertainty for workers who rely on stable jobs. Workers could find themselves laid off if projects get delayed or halted suddenly. Many community leaders fear that rushing approvals will lead to boom-and-bust cycles, hurting workers and local economies.
The legislation could limit workers’ ability to organize and join unions, which help them negotiate better wages and conditions.
The law recognizes provincial safety rules as equal to national standards, even if some provinces have weaker protections. For example, a mining company operating in a province with less strict safety laws could be allowed to ignore federal standards designed to prevent accidents. This puts workers at higher risk of injuries or fatalities.
The Liberal / Conservative “One Canadian Economy Act” may seem helpful at first, but it risks harming workers, damaging the environment, and ignoring Indigenous rights. It was rushed through Parliament without proper consultation or oversight. Instead of rushing to approve big projects, the government should listen to the people. Only then can Canada truly be a fair and sustainable country.
Read more - MPs pass internal trade, major projects bill before House rises for summer - National | Globalnews.ca
...