Why health workers are supporting the #MetroStrike

Today marks the 14th day that thousands of Unifor Local 414 workers at 27 Metro grocery store locations across the GTA have been on strike for decent pay and better working conditions. As health workers, we know that poor pay and working conditions seriously impact people’s physical and mental health, and by extension, the wellbeing of their loved ones and families. 

Alongside Justice for Workers, health workers have already joined two solidarity picket lines and will continue to play an important role in this fight by expressing solidarity and drawing attention to the links between labour and health care issues (see below for what you can do to support). 

This is an important moment – our support for Metro workers demonstrates to all workers that health providers understand the impact of working conditions on health, and will back workers in their fight for decent work and livable wages. 

Metro has no excuse for declining to pay their workers better. Just this week, the grocery giant announced that their net profits skyrocketed by 26% compared to last year -- from $275 million to $346.7 million. Meanwhile, Metro workers have seen none of these gains and are struggling to make ends meet. Windfall profits are unpaid wages. Metro’s refusal to offer their workers a fair deal is nothing short of obscene. 

What you can do:

1. Show Metro workers and the public that health workers support the Metro workers’ fight by posting a solidarity selfie to Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter with the hashtags #SupportMetroWorkers #MetroStrike #Justice4Workers #DecentWork4BetterHealth
   
   Download the sign here
   
   
2. Attend the next Justice for Workers province-wide organizing meeting on Tuesday August 29th at 7pm ET (Click here to RSVP) to strategize around how health workers can join this fight and other decent work campaigns! If you are in Toronto, please consider joining the next Justice for Workers in-person organizing meeting on Tuesday August 15that 6pm ET (Click here to RSVP).
   
   
3. Put up posters around a Metro grocery store or a busy transit stop to show our public support for striking Metro workers. If you are in Toronto, come to our office to pick up posters and signs (or pick them up when you come to our next meeting). If you are outside of Toronto, you can download and print the poster from here. 

REMINDER: Status For All Rally - Join the Health Worker Contingent

As a reminder: health workers will be joining the Status For All cross-country day of action on September 17, 2023. The fight for regularization and status for all is inseparable from the struggle for decent work, housing, climate justice, and healthy communities.

In Toronto, we will start our march at 2pm from Yonge and Bloor. There will be a health worker contingent and we’d love to see you there. Let us know that you are coming here. 

There are actions happening across the country - find an action near you. 

Hope to see many of you on a picket line, at a meeting, or on the streets soon!

In solidarity,

Maddie 

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Maddie Ritts, MSW RSW
Decent Work and Health Network Organizer