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Unifor available to comment on federal budget

April 18, 2020 TORONTO–Unifor National President Jerry Dias is available to comment on the federal budget, to be delivered on April 19, 2021. “This federal budget comes during a time of crisis, it needs to include both immediate health and economic measures to address COVID-19, but it also must look to the future. This budget is an opportunity to fix the systemic issues that this pandemic has laid bare, so we can build back a stronger economy that delivers decent paying full-time jobs and a stronger social safety net,” said Dias.

Unifor virtual news conference on new paid sick day poll

April 15, 2020 TORONTO–Unifor will hold a news conference to reveal the results of a new poll on support for Ontario to mandate paid sick days for workers. “This poll clearly shows that the people of Ontario want and need paid sick days,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “The time has come for Premier Ford to admit the error of taking away paid sick days from workers and to recognize that his government is out of excuses to continue to deny workers this right.

Unifor welcomes Air Canada relief package

New federal measures aimed at bolstering Air Canada will help protect good jobs and is an important step on the road to economic recovery, says Unifor.

Today’s announcement by the federal government is a recognition that aviation workers are pivotal to the Canadian economy,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “The relief package provides a good balance of certainty for communities large and small, the company, and its workers.”

Unifor welcomes Air Canada relief package

TORONTO—New federal measures aimed at bolstering Air Canada will help protect good jobs and is an important step on the road to economic recovery, says Unifor.

Thunder Bay paramedics ratify new collective agreement

April 12, 2021 THUNDER BAY–Unifor Local 39-11 Superior North Emergency Medical Services paramedics have voted 97.5% in favour to ratify a new collective agreement with the City of Thunder Bay. “Narrowing the compensation gap between paramedics and other city emergency responders is an important gain in this new contract,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.

Strike averted as Thunder Bay paramedics reach tentative agreement

April 10, 2021 THUNDER BAY–Unifor Local 39-11 Superior North Emergency Medical Services paramedics and the City of Thunder Bay have reached a tentative collective agreement, avoiding strike action. “These members have been on the frontline since day one of this pandemic and their skillset, education, and training are second to none in terms of first responders,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.

Unifor calls on City of Thunder Bay to break impasse to avoid paramedic strike

April 10, 202 THUNDER BAY–Unifor is calling on the City of Thunder Bay to break the impasse in contract negotiations to avoid a paramedic strike just hours away at midnight. “Our bargaining committee believes that an agreement is within reach but city negotiators are refusing to drop a demand for frontline paramedics to cover supervisor managerial work, taking them away from patient duties and leaving citizens vulnerable with fewer available ambulances,” said Rob Moquin, Unit Chair for Unifor Local 39-11 City Paramedics.

Budget must provide amnesty to low-income earners hit by CERB tax

April 9, 2021

TORONTO—Unifor is calling on the federal government to provide amnesty in next week’s budget to low-wage workers facing a major tax hit on Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) payments during a tax season that coincides with the financial fallout of wave three of COVID-19.

National Update #2

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

We hope all members had an opportunity for family time over the Easter weekend even if it was virtually, as most communities in Canada had travel restrictions in place for Covid-19 protocols.

Your provincial bargaining committees over the last two months have proceeded with virtual negotiations with Loomis Express. We have struggled to get many things accomplished due primarily to the difficulty of having any meaningful dialogue with the company on our proposals. 

Air transportation recovery must focus on social sustainability and good jobs

It’s been more than a year since the coronavirus pandemic took hold and air transportation was severely restricted.

Statistics Canada released the latest economic statistics on air travel this week. Unsurprisingly the numbers paint a troubling picture.

Large Canadian airlines carried less than 800,000 people in January. That’s nearly 90% less than the number of passengers the same airlines carried in January 2020.Operating revenues are down 85% compared to January 2020. GDP created by the industry fell even further, to just 11% of pre-COVID levels.

Four Unifor members die in matter of days

Four Unifor members in Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick passed away in less than a week, with at least three of the deaths work related and two due

Pallister picks ideology over pandemic needs in provincial budget

WINNIPEG—Tax cut gimmicks and a manufactured crisis in education will not protect Manitobans and build the economy, says Unifor.

“It is a dangerous move to reduce the government’s fiscal capacity when it has so much important and life-saving work to do,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Manitobans need strong public services and Crown corporations, not an experiment in conservative ideology.”

Nova Scotia’s budget should aim higher

Linda MacNeil, Unifor Atlantic Regional Director

Last week’s budget made some important, headline-making investments, but when you consider the details, these broad announcements still do not cover the gaps that Nova Scotia’s workers need filled.

The budget announced that funding for continuing care, including long-term care and home care would increase by 13% over the 2020 budget plan, topping the $1 billion mark for the first time.