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SMS Equipment layoffs grow to 99 workers in Fort McMurray

FORT MCMURRAY—Dozens of members of Unifor Local 707A working at SMS Equipment have been laid off as the global oil price slump continues to impact the Wood Buffalo economy.

“Canada’s oil and gas companies and their workers are suffering. It is causing real hardship in communities across Alberta and across the country,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Alberta’s energy industry needs investment now so it can be a key part of the economic recovery.”

We need to be ready when the aviation industry comes back

The aviation industry will come back. 

People will travel again, for business, for pleasure, to see family or to new job opportunities in another city or even another country. This is well understood by all levels of government.

It won’t happen tomorrow, of course, but it will happen, and we need to be ready.

The first thing, of course, is to make sure that the industry has what it needs to reopen. There is a growing consensus that ensuring Canada has an aviation industry in the future will require the federal government playing a greater role.

President’s Message: We need to be ready when the aviation industry comes back

The aviation industry will come back. People will travel again, for business, for pleasure, to see family or to new job opportunities in another city or even another country. This is well understood by all levels of government. The first thing, of course, is to make sure that the industry has what it needs to reopen. There is a growing consensus that ensuring Canada has an aviation industry in the future will require the federal government playing a greater role.

READ THE FULL PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Bargaining Update #9

Unifor members,

On October 19, members at Fiat Chrysler concluded their ratification process, voting 78 per cent in favour of a new three-year collective agreement. The economic terms of the new deal follow the pattern established earlier, in negotiations at Ford Motor Company. Like at Ford, the FCA deal includes strong investment commitments of up to $1.58 billion that not only secure work at Unifor facilities in Brampton and Etobicoke, but also lands future work with new electric vehicle investments at Windsor.

Striking Dominion workers threatened with arrest at peaceful picket

October 27, 2020 ST. JOHN’S–Striking Dominion workers are being threatened with arrest by the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) while conducting a peaceful picket at the Weston's Bakery in Mount Pearl, NF. “It’s outrageous that the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary is intimidating peaceful picketers with police doing the bidding of Loblaw Companies Limited,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.

We need a Canadian model to save Canadian journalism

Just when Canadians need strong news outlets to guide them through the pandemic’s second wave, those same outlets are facing extinction. 

The sharp revenue drop resulting from COVID-19 comes after years of Google and Facebook, cornering the market on consumer data and digital advertising, bleeding much-needed revenue away from newspapers, magazines and TV and radio.

Long-term care unions urge government to listen to experts on minimum care standards and pass Bill 13

October 27, 2020

TORONTO, ON – CUPE Ontario, SEIU Healthcare and Unifor held a joint press conference on Tuesday morning, calling on the Ontario government to legislate a minimum care standard of four hours of hands-on care in long-term care homes by immediately passing Bill 13, the Time to Care Act.
Based on the latest pre-pandemic calculations by the Ontario Health Coalition, Ontario’s long-term care homes average about 2.7 hours of daily care. The calculation is based on worked hours of care, as opposed to paid hours.

Unifor commits to protecting Sask Crowns and workers’ rights after provincial election

REGINA—Canada’s largest union in the private sector will continue to fight for good jobs and workers’ rights in Saskatchewan, after Scott Moe’s Sask Party was elected to another term.

“Crown corporations help make life more affordable for Saskatchewan families and they provide thousands of good jobs,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “Unifor is committed to standing up for Crowns and Crown workers against Sask Party politicians who can’t wait to privatize cherished public services.”

Alberta’s workers have had enough of Jason Kenney

October 26, 2020

EDMONTON—Unifor supports the wildcat actions carried out by Alberta Union of Public Employees (AUPE) members in response to Premier Jason Kenney’s relentless attacks on the province’s public services.

“From education workers and frontline health care staff to the Albertans who rely on them, few workers have escaped Kenney’s heartless cuts and attacks on basic workplace rights,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “We salute the workers at AUPE who are taking direct action today.”

CUPE Ontario, Unifor and SEIU Healthcare to hold a press conference calling on the government to pass the Time to Care Act

CUPE Ontario, Unifor and SEIU Healthcare are calling on the Ontario Legislative Assembly to take a critical step in addressing the long-term care crisis by passing Bill 13, the Time to Care Act.

The private member’s bill, introduced by NDP MPP Teresa Armstrong, will legislate a minimum care standard of four hours of daily hands-on care averaged across residents, requiring higher staffing levels, in line with expert recommendations. The legislation will be debated at second reading on Wednesday, October 28.

Striking Dominion workers relocate secondary picket to Weston’s Bakery

October 26, 2020 ST. JOHN’S–Striking Dominion workers have relocated their secondary picket line from the Loblaw Distribution Centre to Weston's Bakery, located at 17 Bruce St., Mount Pearl. The bakery is owned by George Weston Ltd., which also operates Dominion’s parent company Loblaw Companies Limited. “Strike activity will continue to escalate as long as Loblaw Co. refuses to come to the negotiating table in good faith,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.

Unifor welcomes B.C. election results

VANCOUVER—Unifor members are celebrating the provincial election results in B.C. as expectations remain high for the BCNDP’s second term.

“Unifor members worked very hard for a BCNDP majority government,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Electing John Horgan’s team is the means to an end. There is still a lot of work to be done to undo the damage from 16 years of B.C. Liberal cuts.”

Bargaining Update: Local 100 VIA Rail

Dear members,
 
Your bargaining committee has bargained all day during 8 of the last 10 days, and we’re pleased to report significant progress with the company. 
 
The committee has been focussed on Rules and VIA Rail’s corridor fleet replacement program.

Court ruling on secondary picket reserved until October 26

After hearing from Unifor and Loblaw Companies Limited legal representatives today in the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Honourable Valerie L. Marshall has reserved her decision on the injunction application against striking Dominion workers secondary picket at the Loblaw distribution centre in St. John’s.