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Over 40 NDP Members of Parliament recently met with leaders from UFCW Canada and the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) at an event in Ottawa hosted by the two leading unions.  

The reception brought together local and national union leaders with Parliament’s most progressive voices to discuss the crucial issues facing union members, and to focus on different ways that UFCW Canada and NUPGE can work with the NDP to stop Stephen Harper’s attack on working families.

“Canadians want change in Ottawa,” says UFCW Canada National President Wayne Hanley. “Ever since the Harper government took power in 2011, it has mismanaged the economy and done everything it can to undermine the rights of workers and their unions. By raising the age of eligibility for OAS benefits, failing to increase the CPP, planning to stop transfer payments for health care, and forcing through a budget that does nothing for the creation of good jobs for the future, this government is not working for the best interests of Canadians.”

Tom Mulcair, Leader of the NDP and Canada’s Official Opposition, led the large group of NDP MPs to the event, where he reinforced the important message he brought to the UFCW Canada National Council Convention about putting the public interest first the essential role that workers need to play in the political process. The NDP Leader also made a point of once again thanking UFCW Canada for its full support, while pledging to bring forth the issues that are important to UFCW Canada members.

The Ottawa reception follows a number of key initiatives by the National Office and the National Political Action Committee and Department – including the National Political Action Conference – to strengthen the union’s ability to lead political change by fully mobilizing more than 250,000 UFCW Canada members in every region of the country, and at every level of government.

“As we gear up for the next federal election in 2015, we are working very hard to stop the Harper agenda, and UFCW Canada activists are looking forward to combining their voices, volunteering, and campaigning for politicians who will put the interests of working families first with a positive, progressive plan for our country and communities,” adds Brother Hanley.

For more on UFCW Canada Political Action, click here.