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Unifor members at Marine Atlantic begin collective bargaining

The bargaining committee representing Marine Atlantic workers at Unifor Local 4285 and 4286 met with the employer from March 26-28 to begin negotiations.
Marine Atlantic members service ferry routes that traverse from North Sydney, N.S. to Port Aux Basques, N.L. and Argentia, N.L. 

Unifor calls for worker solidarity on Trans Day of Visibility

Solidarity among workers forms the backbone of progress. Standing united against transphobia and hate is not just our responsibility as a union, but a fundamental act of protecting the dignity and rights of every individual in Canada.

Unifor National President Lana Payne visits striking CN Autoport workers

Unifor National President Lana Payne was at the CN Autoport picket lines in Halifax, Nova Scotia to support Local 100 members who have been on strike for more than 4 weeks. 

CN chose to bring in scabs on day one of the strike while anti-scab legislation is welcomed federally and in some provinces. 

Lana recently spoke to the House of Commons about the urgent need for the anti-scab legislation NOW, not months from now. 

Expertech workers move towards strike action

TORONTO— The bargaining committee representing members of Expertech, a wholly owned Bell Canada Enterprises Inc. company, is gearing up for a crucial strike vote, signaling the potential for imminent strike action. Following months of negotiation and the intervention of conciliation, Bell Expertech has yet to present a substantive monetary offer or commit to limit outsourcing to third-party contractors rather than investing in its own workforce.

20th Anniversary of the Westray Law

Atlantic Regional Director Jennifer Murray pays respects to the 26 victims of the Westray Mine Disaster, at a March 26 service at Their Light Will Always Shine Memorial Park in New Glasgow, N.S.

20th Anniversary of the Westray Law

Unifor is marking the 20th anniversary of the Westray Law with a renewed call on regulators, police and government to avail of this law to bring those who grossly violate workplace health and safety to justice. 

Griffin Wheel workers strike over pension plans and forced overtime

WINNIPEG – Unifor members who work at Griffin Wheel, a foundry that manufactures train wheels in Winnipeg, went on strike this morning at 9 a.m., after the company’s latest offer would erode pensions, seniority rights and work-life balance issues.

RailLine Volume 11 – Issue 12

CN Transportation Ltd. (CNTL) Bargaining Update

As you are aware, the previous tentative memorandum of settlement (MOS) that was negotiated with CNTL on January 16, 2024, was not ratified by the membership. 

2024 B.C. Forestry Workers' Summit

On March 12, 2024, forestry workers from three unions convened for a summit to address the crisis in the industry and to develop sustainable solutions centred around job preservation. This meeting was unprecedented and signifies a new phase in the forestry workers' efforts to prevent the industry's collapse.

 

2024 Unifor National Scholarship application period now open

Embarking on a journey towards higher education comes with financial challenges. Recognizing this, Unifor takes pride in announcing the commencement of the application period for the 2024 Unifor National Scholarship program, designed to support individuals pursuing post-secondary education.

This year, we are pleased to offer 28 scholarships, each valued at $2,000. These scholarships are open to the children of Unifor members, as well as Unifor members themselves who are entering their first year of post-secondary studies.

Unifor auto sector leadership considering escalatory action amid CN’s use of scab labour at Autoport Halifax

Unifor auto sector leadership are considering escalatory actions against Autoport, as the employer and its parent company CN Rail continue the use of scab labour.

“CN is showing blatant disrespect for its workers and their fundamental right to fair and free collective bargaining” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “After convening a meeting of our auto sector leadership, CN may be about to learn a very hard lesson.”

Letter to CN Rail and Autoport

SENT VIA EMAIL

To: Tracy Robinson, CEO, Canadian National Railway
      Olivier Chouc, President, Autoport

As the elected representatives of Canada’s 20,000 auto sector members at Ford, General Motors and Stellantis, we are writing to denounce your company and its subsidiary’s decision to use scab labour at Autoport in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

On March 22, 2024, we met to discuss the situation unfolding in Nova Scotia as well as a range of potential solidarity actions in support of Unifor Local 100 members affected by this dispute.

Unifor condemns Manitoba PCs for blocking key employment bills

WINNIPEG—Manitoba workers and their families are paying the price after key legislation was blocked this week by the PC caucus.

“The Wab Kinew government has a clear mandate from voters to build an economy on good jobs and fair pay. By blocking key employment reforms, the PC caucus has reminded voters why the PCs aren’t fit to govern,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “We call on the Manitoba PCs to stop playing games and let the Premier get to work on the agenda he was democratically elected to implement.”

Lana Payne makes strong case for anti-scab legislation at Parliamentary Committee

The federal government must pass Bill C-58 without delay, Unifor National President Lana Payne urged MPs on the House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities as the federal government begins its study on the long-anticipated anti-scab labour bill.

Lana Payne testifies for the urgent passing of federal anti-scab legislation

“Bill C-58, federal anti-scab legislation, must pass and be implemented without delay,” Unifor National President Lana Payne tells MPs during her testimony before the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA).

Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA)

Opening Statement – Lana Payne, Unifor National President

Thursday, March 21, 2024, 8:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.

Honourable members of the Committee, I am here before you today as the President of Unifor, representing 315,000 workers across Canada, including almost 70,000 in the federally-regulated private sector such as air, road, rail and marine transport as well as telecommunications and media.

Unifor rallies in Ottawa to protest Bell job cuts

Unifor rallied in Ottawa on March 19 to call out Bell Canada Enterprises Inc. (BCE) for postponing a scheduled hearing before the House of Commons Heritage Committee to answer for the recent termination of 9% of BCE’s workforce.

“Last year alone, while cutting jobs, Bell paid out an all-time high of $3.7 billion to shareholders. And between 2020 and 2022, CEO compensation rose by a whopping 40%. Is it any wonder workers in this country are angry?” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

Bell terminates workers on virtual group meetings

TORONTO – Hundreds of Unifor Bell telecommunications members are being terminated on virtual group meetings today, just a day after Unifor rallied in Ottawa to call out Bell Canada Enterprises Inc. (BCE) for cutting thousands of jobs across the country while continuing to rake in profits and increase payouts to shareholders. 

Unifor calls out Bell on ducking accountability for job cuts

OTTAWA –Unifor rallied in Ottawa today to call out Bell Canada Enterprises Inc. (BCE) for postponing a scheduled hearing before the House of Commons Heritage Committee to answer for the recent termination of 9% of BCE’s workforce.