Laval, October 21st, 2021 — The Teamsters welcome the federal government’s announcement that it is adjusting the pandemic support programs for workers. During the press conference with Prime Minister Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister Freeland, we learned that the program will be extended to workers who are still suffering the full impact of the pandemic, particularly in the hotel and restaurant sector.
I am pleased to see that the assistance program will continue for hotel workers
“I am pleased to see that the pandemic support program will continue for hotel workers,” explains Teamsters Canada President François Laporte. ” The men and women who work in this industry have suffered greatly from the consequences of the pandemic and they deseve to be supported.”
This announcement is also a great opportunity for the Trudeau government to link this financial assistance to training programs to allow workers, who wish to do so, to change jobs.
“Professional requalification in a context of labour shortage is essential,” adds the union leader. “Canadians must be able to learn a new trade in order to quickly find rewarding and lucrative work.”
Trucking, in particular, is an industry with a severe labour shortage right now.
“We have identified several issues that are affecting recruitment and retention in trucking,” says Laporte. “The general working conditions of truck drivers need to be reviewed. Women should also be given a greater role. We will continue our dialogue with the federal government and other stakeholders on this issue.”
The Teamsters Union also believes that the time has come to review the EI program.
“We should be able to improve access to EI, as well as increase the benefit rate,” concluded the president of Teamsters Canada.
The Teamsters Union represents 125,000 members in Canada. They are affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which has 1.4 million members in North America.
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For more information :
Stéphane Lacroix
Director of Communications and Public Affairs
Teamsters Canada
Cell: 514-609-5101
[email protected]
