Sunday, April 19, 2020

Better Together, Now More Than Ever

The world has never been as united by a common experience as it is today, and in most of our living memory, we have never been so collectively focussed on a singular objective

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By Wayne Prins, Executive Director

Several years ago, CLAC introduced a new tag line: Better Together. It was meant to capture both the essence of our union, which is that we are stronger and more secure when we join together, as well as the more nuanced message that collaborative relationships between labour and management yield better outcomes for everyone.

The tag line has been well received, and I have noticed that since we adopted the theme, many other organizations have integrated the idea of together into their slogans as well. Perhaps we were just slightly ahead of the curve in recognizing the need to refocus on humanity’s interdependence and the true value of community.

However true this might have been for the past number of years, it is hard to overstate how true it is today. The world has never been as united by a common experience as it is today, and in most of our living memory, we have never been so collectively focussed on a singular objective.

This message will reach over 40,000 CLAC members. Each and every one of you has been impacted by this pandemic.

Some of you, like me, have adjusted to a new work routine and a slower pace of life during this period of isolation. It’s still very busy with many urgent demands, but my travel schedule has been wiped clear, all my work and meetings occur by video, and my kids have never eaten so many consecutive meals with dad at the table in their entire lives.

Others of you have found your workplaces turned into the front lines in a war against this invisible virus. Your safety depends on head-to-toe PPE, and even then you are taking on great risk in performing your duties.

I salute, with deep gratitude and admiration, all the members who continue to put the needs of others before their own at this time, when the stakes have never been higher.

There are also many of you who have lost your work altogether as a result of this crisis. No amount of support from your family, union, government, past employer, or community can fully mitigate the devastating impacts of losing your job. Sometimes, it is simply better to acknowledge the incredible hardship that so many are facing then to try to sugar-coat the issue with platitudes and well wishes.

We are all in for a long journey ahead. In time, the threat of the virus will pass, and that will be very good.

But that will not be the end of the hard journey. Months, possibly years, of economic recovery and mental health challenges will follow. Through it all, CLAC will remain steadfast in our work to serve each and every one of you.

We will also strive to keep you informed of the things you need and want to know through this new digital newsletter that we are calling Your Work, Your Life. As the title suggests, we will be featuring content that we hope will help you in both your work and in your life, whether you are working on the front lines or waiting to get back to work.

I wish each of you sustained health and strength as we travel this journey together. If there is anything we can do for you, and if there is anything you think would be helpful to include in this weekly newsletter, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Better Together, Now More Than Ever

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