Historic snowfall and freezing rain in mid-April mark upbeat Filipino Workers 2nd Conference in Toronto

By Edwin Cordero Mercurio
Toronto, Canada
April 16, 2018




Snow and freezing rain and over 550 road accidents in the Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) suburbs due to slippery road conditions did not deter 160 participants from attending the Filipino Workers Conference of 2018 this cold Saturday of April 14, 2018.


Uniting Filipino Workers for Good Jobs, Fairness & Justice is the theme of this year’s 2nd Workers Conference.



Labour leaders from across North America, praised the contribution of Filipino workers but cautioned and warned that labour unions working for workers rights  are under attack due to capitalism’s greed for profits. Organizing, joining  fighting for our rights and union solidarity are vitally important during these crucial times.   However, “if we fight for our rights, we will win”  they added.



“With close to 900,000 Filipino immigrants to Canada and many working in the health care and service sectors, the Filipino Workers Network serves as a collective voice for workers joining together as a union for better wages, benefits and safer workplaces.”



When we stick together in a union,  we all know that we benefit as a community and as a society.”

Toronto Workers Network started with 20 members a few years ago and now  has 500 members coming from different unions and labour organizations.

Ben Corpuz co-Chair of FWN expressed optimism that by following the vision and aspirations of the members and their affiliated labour organizations during the conference FWN can raise their ranks to a new high.



The Asian community with its various ethnic mix, origins and culture are getting more attention and believed to be a deciding factor in the forthcoming elections.



The City of Toronto has recently passed a legislation that designates June as Filipino Heritage month starting this year.

The conference participants are optimistic that their FWN numbers will increase.



But, in order to succeed, according to Union leaders we must educate our members and learn from mistakes, organize and consolidate our ranks, mobilize and add new recruits. “ More importantly,  when workers rights are under attack, we must step up to the challenge and fight back.”