Ottawa-The re-introduction of a second tariff on Canadian softwood lumber exports pushes the industry closer to crisis, says Unifor.
“These tariffs are a slap in the face to the concept of fair trade,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “It’s President Trump’s gift to U.S. landowners and hundreds of Canadian communities will pay the price.”
Ottawa—Forestry workers welcomed the news that the U.S. is dropping Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia from the Commerce Department’s tariff investigations.
“The ad hoc exclusion of three provinces from duties confirms what we’ve stated all along: there is no legal basis for duties on Canadian softwood lumber exports,” said Scott Doherty, Executive Assistant to Unifor’s National President. “This hardship can be avoided—the federal government must get to a negotiated solution as soon as possible.”
June 22, 2017 Victoria—Despite attractive promises, the BC Throne Speech is a desperate attempt to cling to power says Unifor. “British Columbians have no reason to trust anything coming from the Christy Clark government,” said Joie Warnock, Unifor’s Western Regional Director. “The Throne Speech shows that Premier Clark will say anything—at any cost—to stay in power.” More resembling the BC NDP’s election platform than a vision from the 2001–2017 BC Liberal government, the Speech from the Throne contained promises for childcare and campaign finance reform.
The recent announcement of a Delastek expansion in Mexico demonstrates once again that this employer never intended to negotiate in good faith with workers, says Unifor. The union represents employees of Delastek, members of Local 1209, who have been on strike for more than two years.
June 19, 2017 Toronto—A diverse mix of workers, community allies, and employers held rallies in five cities across three provinces to demand a new Canada-U.S. softwood lumber agreement that protects good jobs. "Tens of thousands of jobs and the future of dozens of communities depend on fair trade in softwood lumber,” said Scott Doherty, Executive Assistant to Unifor’s National President. “All across Canada workers and employers are rallying today to tell the federal government to negotiate a fair trade agreement with the U.S.
June 19, 2017 Vancouver—Several hotels in downtown Vancouver and Victoria are in bargaining with Unifor this summer as hospitality workers seek to share in the economic success of the hotel industry. “Unifor defends workers’ rights in the hospitality sector,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “We look forward to bargaining fair wages and healthy working conditions in Vancouver and Victoria hotels.” Workers at the Hotel Vancouver, the Coast Coal Harbour, the Residence Inn, and the Hotel Grand Pacific are looking to make gains during a time of strong sales and profits.
Toronto—A diverse mix of workers, community allies, and employers held rallies in five cities across three provinces to demand a new Canada-U.S. softwood lumber agreement that protects good jobs.
"Tens of thousands of jobs and the future of dozens of communities depend on fair trade in softwood lumber,” said Scott Doherty, Executive Assistant to Unifor’s National President. “All across Canada workers and employers are rallying today to tell the federal government to negotiate a fair trade agreement with the U.S. before any more jobs are lost.”
Celebrating Indigenous peoples’ culture, history and achievements is important throughout Aboriginal History Month, but of added significance on June 21, National Aboriginal Day. As Canada marks its 150 years of Confederation we must acknowledge both the effects of this nationhood on Indigenous people and the fact that Indigenous people have lived on these lands for thousands of years.
June 16, 2017 Toronto - The union representing 12,000 Canadian journalists and media workers joined today with News Media Canada in requesting a federal fund to support Canadian news outlets. “Canadian journalism is essential to our democracy. The proposal for an expanded Canadian Periodical Fund will put journalists back on the street at a time when the advertising revenue that pays for them is being stripped away by Google and Facebook,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.
June 16, 2017 Toronto, ON – Toronto 2017 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) Host Society announced Unifor as a presenting partner for the multi-sport Games, taking place in the City of Toronto and Greater Toronto Area (GTA), this summer from July 16-23. Details of the Unifor agreement include official naming rights to the two, week-long cultural festivals on the campuses of McMaster University and York University, as well as naming rights to all medal ceremonies taking place at both the cultural festival sites and various sport venues.
June 15, 2017 TORONTO- Unifor welcomes the Heritage Committee report on Canadian media and local news. “The Heritage Committee conducted a 15-month study of Canadian media and have recommended 21st century solutions for 21st century problems,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.
June 12, 2017 Toronto – Today's child care announcement by federal and provincial and territorial ministers responsible for early childhood education on a long-awaited framework agreement falls far short of what Canadians need. "Children are missing out on early learning and development opportunities and society is missing out on the talents of workers - mostly women - who cannot afford to enter or re-enter the workforce," said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.
Toronto - Unifor is calling on the federal and provincial governments to put a halt to the practice by clinics of charging user-fees for necessary health services, as found in a ground-breaking new report by the Ontario Health Coalition.
“Health care should never be a money-making venture,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “The growth in private clinics is undermining universal accessible health care. Governments should not be so naïve to believe that the two can co-exist, without destroying our cherished public health care system.”
Joe Lucier and Cathy Baker-Wiebenga will be available at Local 127 - 405 Riverview Drive, Suite 305 Chatham, ON at the following times to answer questions and help members with their pension option statements.
The Union is still dealing with a number of issues that concern the packages that Navistar workers received from Morneau Shepell - we are in the midst of correcting these issues.
Thursday, June 1, 2017 Prince George—Pattern bargaining for Western Canada’s pulp and paper sector has concluded with a four-year tentative agreement signed by Unifor, the Public and Private Workers of Canada (PPWC), and Canfor Pulp. “The tentative agreement signed today reflects the important contributions of our members at pulp and paper workplaces across the West,” said Joie Warnock, Unifor’s Western Regional Director. Today’s tentative agreement with Canfor Pulp will set the pattern for Unifor and PPWC’s 17 other pulp and paper mills in BC and Alberta.
Ottawa—The relief package for the softwood lumber industry is welcomed by forestry workers as a good start to cushioning the blow dealt by new U.S. duties on Canadian softwood exports.
“Today the federal government has shown real leadership in protecting good resource jobs,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “This is welcome news for dozens of communities that are already feeling the pain of unfair trade sanctions.”
Monday, May 29, 2017 Victoria—The coalition announced by BC NDP Leader John Horgan and BC Green Leader Andrew Weaver reflects the will of BC’s voters and can initiate positive change, says Unifor. “This is a historic day that our members worked very hard for,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “The BC Liberals governed for their wealthy donors.
Thursday, May 25, 2017 Edmonton—Members of Unifor Local 21-A have voted to ratify a new three-year collective agreement with Imperial Oil at its Strathcona facility. “This was a tough round of negotiations but our bargaining committee persevered with a deal that they can be proud of,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. The new contract meets the intent of Unifor’s national pattern for bargaining in the energy sector and includes wage increases of 2% in year two and 2.5% in year three.
Tuesday, May 16, 2017 Nanticoke—The Unifor bargaining committee representing workers at the Nanticoke Imperial Oil facility have reached a tentative collective agreement with the employer. “I’m very proud of the skill shown by the bargaining team to get us a fair deal that matches the pattern Unifor set in the industry,” said Dan Valente, Unifor National Representative. “It was not easy but we achieved our main goals.” Unifor bargained a pattern agreement for the energy and chemical sector in 2016.
Wednesday, May 10, 2017 Vancouver—A likely BC Liberal minority government means that major pieces of legislation will require discussion, debate, and cooperation in the next legislative session. “Despite what our antiquated first past the post system produced last night, it’s clear that a majority of British Columbians want change,” said Joie Warnock, Unifor Western Regional Director.
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