The well-being of our members is a top priority for UNITE HERE Local 75. We are following the spread of a novel (new) coronavirus (COVID-19) that was identified as the cause of an outbreak of pneumonia originating in Wuhan, China.
There are currently a limited number of cases of coronavirus COVID-19 in Canada and the risk of contracting the virus in the GTA remains low.
However, due to the nature of their work, our members come in contact with people from around the world, so it is advised that they practice extra diligence throughout this outbreak.
We will continue to monitor and advise our members when there are any significant changes. For the most up-to-date information, visit Health Canada’s website frequently.
What is a coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that originate in animals but are known to cause respiratory illness in humans, particularly during the fall and winter months. Other novel coronaviruses have included Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV).
A number of coronaviruses infect humans every year, and there are four in particular that cause the common cold. The symptoms of the coronavirus are similar to the cold or flu.
The situation is rapidly evolving and Public Health Ontario, along with the Ministry of Health, is closely monitoring the outbreak, conducting surveillance and appropriate laboratory testing, and providing public health and infection control guidance.
What are the symptoms of the virus?
Symptoms are usually mild to moderate and can include:
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Full-body rash
- Diarrhea
Having one or more of these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have the virus. Monitor your symptoms and contact your healthcare provider if they worsen.
You should stay home from work if you are experiencing these symptoms AND have travelled to any of the following impacted areas:
- China
- Hong Kong
- Iran
- Italy
- Japan
- Singapore
- South Korea
How to prevent contracting a virus
Most respiratory viruses, like the flu or the coronavirus, are transmitted by droplets (primarily coughing and sneezing). There are simple things you can do to prevent transmitting it to others:
- clean your hands
- avoid touching your face
- stay home if you feel like you’re getting sick
- and cover your cough/sneeze with a tissue or your sleeve, rather than your hands
General Membership Meeting Postponed
General membership meeting – April 14, 2020 – POSTPONED
Canada Emergency Response Benefit Portal is Now Online
As of this morning (Monday April 6, 2020), the reporting portal for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) is now live. If you qualify for EI but have not yet applied, you must go through the CERB portal. Your application will be processed there, where it will be determined whether you qualify for EI or CERB. You will be automatically redirected to the benefit you qualify for. For more information on CERB and EI, check out our FAQ page.
Due to the high volume of Canadians like currently reporting, the Federal Government as advised applicants to log into the portal according to the following guidelines:
CERB is a $2,000 benefit distributed once a month for 4 months. The benefit is taxable – recipients will need to report any payments received on next year’s tax filing. An information slip for the 2020 tax year will be posted on the CRA portal, in My Account under Tax Information Slips (T4 and more).
Be sure to visit our COVID-19 Resource Centre for information and updates.
UNITE HERE! Canada Responds to COVID-19 Crisis
Yesterday, UNITE HERE Leadership from across Canada held a press conference to discuss with major news organizations the unprecedented economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis on workers nationwide in a recorded tele-press conference. For coverage, see below
CTV News Toronto: Nearly 90 per cent of hospitality workers will lose jobs because of COVID-19 pandemic, union predicts
Global News: Hospitality union offers help as hotels considered as makeshift hospitals
Canadian Press (as seen in National Post): Hospitality workers hit ‘first and hit hardest’, says union seeking more support
CTV Vancouver: Hospitality workers call for financial support in face of mass layoffs
CBC: Hospitality workers’ union says 90% of members have lost their jobs in past 2 weeks
To listen to a complete recording of the UNITE HERE Canada press conference, click here.
To see the letter Local 75 sent to Premier Ford, click here..
Resources for members impacted by COVID-19
Please visit Ontario.ca/coronavirus and Toronto.ca/covid-19 for the up to date information on the virus and government guidelines on isolation.
Please call the Toll-Free Local 75 Hotline at 1 877-354-1616 between 8:30-4:30 pm Monday-Friday for additional questions and assistance.
**Starting April 6, there is one single portal for applying for the Canada Emergency Relief Benefit (CERB), available to all who qualify for unemployment payments (EI) and to many who do not. Click here to learn more.
The situation with regard to available assistance is changing. This page offers resources for you that are current as of the time of writing. To the most up-to-date info, please sign up for text alerts by clicking here or call the hotline.
For resources on health & safety at work during COVID-19, click here.
While everyone is doing their part to minimize the impact of COVID-19, we recognize our members have been some of the first and worst hit by this crisis, and will be working hard to connect Union members to all available resources and benefits to weather this storm. See the below links for more information:
Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) & Employment Insurance (EI)
Provincial Support for Families
Other Federal Relief Programs (GSTC benefit, Canada Child Benefit, delayed tax filing, student loans).
Budgeting & Dealing with Creditors
Mortgage or Rent
Utilities & Other Bills
Food Assistance
Health & Medical Resources
Mental Health
We also want to reassure you that there will be no loss of benefits during the COVID-19 crisis. Click here to read more.
For more information about federal, provincial, and GTA relief efforts, visit this page from the Toronto & York Area Labour Council.
If you require assistance accessing services including EI and CERB, a Service Canada agent will be able to contact you within two business days, visit this page to learn more.
An important message to Prime Minister Trudeau on COVID-19
On March 17, 2020, your UNITE HERE Local 75 Executive Leadership sent a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Chairs of the Cabinet Committee. In the letter, Local 75 leadership asks for key enhancements so our members don’t bear the brunt of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Read the letter here.
COVID-19 and your benefits, pay and EI – what you need to know
Click here to read an important COVID-19 update from your UNITE HERE Local 75 Executive Leadership. The update provides an overview of how the Local is fighting to for your benefits, sick days and pay through the COVID-19 outbreak.
Local 75 has also created resources for you and your colleagues. Please download the posters below and share them with your teams.
Hand Washing Guide
What is the Coronavirus?
Protecting yourself during the coronavirus outbreak
The well-being of our members is a top priority for UNITE HERE Local 75. We are following the spread of a novel (new) coronavirus (COVID-19) that was identified as the cause of an outbreak of pneumonia originating in Wuhan, China.
There are currently a limited number of cases of coronavirus COVID-19 in Canada and the risk of contracting the virus in the GTA remains low.
However, due to the nature of their work, our members come in contact with people from around the world, so it is advised that they practice extra diligence throughout this outbreak.
We will continue to monitor and advise our members when there are any significant changes. For the most up-to-date information, visit Health Canada’s website frequently.
What is a coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that originate in animals but are known to cause respiratory illness in humans, particularly during the fall and winter months. Other novel coronaviruses have included Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV).
A number of coronaviruses infect humans every year, and there are four in particular that cause the common cold. The symptoms of the coronavirus are similar to the cold or flu.
The situation is rapidly evolving and Public Health Ontario, along with the Ministry of Health, is closely monitoring the outbreak, conducting surveillance and appropriate laboratory testing, and providing public health and infection control guidance.
What are the symptoms of the virus?
Symptoms are usually mild to moderate and can include:
Having one or more of these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have the virus. Monitor your symptoms and contact your healthcare provider if they worsen.
You should stay home from work if you are experiencing these symptoms AND have travelled to any of the following impacted areas:
How to prevent contracting a virus
Most respiratory viruses, like the flu or the coronavirus, are transmitted by droplets (primarily coughing and sneezing). There are simple things you can do to prevent transmitting it to others:
UNITE HERE Local 75 Membership Update
2019 was indeed a banner year for UNITE HERE Local 75. It was a flurry of activity and change, and we are happy to provide you this brief update on the year. We hope you are proud of the gains we have made – we could not have done it without the steadfast support of our 8000 members.
Click here to read to read the update to our members.
We look forward to an even better 2020! Together, we will continue to lead the way as the GTA’s largest hospitality union.
UNITE HERE Local 75 Ends Trusteeship, Elects New Local Leadership
On March 29th hospitality workers with UNITE HERE Local 75 elected a new leadership. More than 1/3rd of our membership participated in the election, the highest voter turnout in our local’s history. Our new leadership was elected with a decisive 83% of the vote. The election marks our local’s transition out of trusteeship as we welcome a diverse new set of local leaders.
During the trusteeship, our membership successfully defeated Unifor Canada’s attempt to raid our local. In this period thousands of hospitality workers have sent a strong message to both the labour movement and employers as we continue to secure some of the strongest collective agreements our sector has seen in the last two decades.
“Our members have sent a clear message to employers across the GTA by securing such strong contracts,” said President Nuredin Bulle. “We’re looking forward to continuing this work and expanding our organizing efforts under new local leadership.”
“We are a local of immigrants, women and people of colour and I’m proud to be part of a team that truly reflects our membership,” said Secretary Treasurer Shelli Sareen.
UNITE HERE Local 75 is organizing an event to welcome the new leadership and celebrate the local’s victories in contract negotiations the evening of April 24th at the Sheraton Centre Toronto at 123 Queen Street West, Toronto ON.
UNITE HERE Local 75 represents nearly 8,000 hospitality workers across the GTA. We celebrate our diversity as a union of immigrants, people of colour and women in the sector, leading the struggle for social justice in our local labour movement.
Media Contact:
Ellie Ade Kur
647.819.1447
[email protected]
A Message to Our Labour Movement Sisters and Brothers
Unifor continues its raiding against our union in Toronto. On February 28, 2019 Unifor’s National Office submitted an application to raid our membership at Marriott’s St. Regis Toronto. This is merely the latest development in Unifor’s 14-month raiding effort.
Despite the millions of dollars Unifor has spent, that effort has failed. UNITE HERE Local 75 members have successfully fought off Unifor’s campaign to undermine our local, sending a decisive message at 45 hotels by choosing to remain with our union. Instead of allowing us to focus fully on winning industry-leading contracts and empowering workers across our sector, Unifor continues in their attempt to divide our union. Despite Unifor’s efforts, our negotiating committees continue to secure historic contracts, raising the bar for hospitality workers across the GTA with unprecedented wage increases, health benefits, and protections.
Hotel workers have spoken and Unifor Canada must seriously consider the implications of wasting more workers’ dues to wage this attack on our union. As GM threatens thousands of jobs in Oshawa and Ontario’s provincial government attacks workers’ rights, our labour movement is at a critical juncture. Unions everywhere must work together to fight corporate greed and austerity measures, not waste resources attacking other unions. We stand in solidarity with the rank and file members of Unifor mobilizing against General Motors’ corporate greed in Oshawa. Unifor’s leadership must prioritize these workers instead of sending Unifor staff to raid our union.
UNITE HERE Local 75 members have won significant improvements in the last year as part of the strongest hotel workers union in North America. Last year alone UNITE HERE took on Marriott, the largest hotel company in the world, and won historic contracts through strikes at 23 hotels. We believe that our labour movement is strongest when unions stand united in building the power of working people. We insist that Unifor end the raids and recommit to our shared struggle. It’s time for all unions to work together as we build a better future for workers in the Toronto region and beyond.