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Unifor vows to continue fighting Kenney's anti-worker law

EDMONTON—Unifor members have resolved to continue to defend their rights at work after the all-night session of the legislature eased the passage of Bill 32.

“Bill 32 is a blatant attack on workers’ constitutional rights. There is absolutely no way we will comply with it,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Jason Kenny is turning back the clock on workers’ rights to benefit his wealthiest corporate donors.”

Unifor members ratify major gains at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

VANCOUVER—Members of Unifor Local 4275 overwhelmingly ratified a three-year contract that offers greater job protection during uncertain times in the hospitality industry.

“Unifor is a union for hospitality workers,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “The protections brokered in this collective agreement give greater income security to workers that have been so deeply affected by the pandemic.”

Dominion store workers deliver overwhelming strike mandate

July 24, 2020

ST. JOHN’S – Unifor members at Dominion grocery stores across Newfoundland have delivered an overwhelming 94% strike mandate, after negotiations with Loblaw Companies Limited have failed to produce a new collective agreement.

“These frontline workers have stepped up to serve their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic but Dominion continues to deny them full-time jobs and fair pay,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.

The union has set a strike deadline a week from today at 12:01 a.m. Friday July 31, 2020.

BC Court should ensure Northern Pulp financing protects workers and the forestry sector

July 23, 2020

VANCOUVER—Unifor is urging the British Columbia court overseeing creditor protection hearings for Northern Pulp to ensure the ridiculous squabble between Paper Excellence and the Nova Scotia government doesn’t destroy the forest industry in Nova Scotia. A financing agreement that is good for workers, protects the environment, and supports the continuation of the forestry sector in Nova Scotia must be achieved.

End profit in long-term care, reinvest in more residents’ supports and staffing, urge advocates in new “CARE NOT PROFITS” campaign

July 23, 2020

TORONTO — Ontarians are being urged to join a growing call for profound changes to the province’s long-term care system that would end profit-making in the provision of residential care. Today, SEIU Healthcare, CUPE, and Unifor, unions that represent workers across the long-term care sector, invited families to demand reforms from Premier Doug Ford so money goes to better care for seniors, not profits for corporate shareholders.

Long-term care workers’ unions launch public push to end for-profit care

July 22, 2020

TORONTO – Tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., SEIU Healthcare, CUPE Ontario, and Unifor, unions that represent healthcare workers across the long-term care sector, will unveil the next stage of their joint advocacy, calling for profound change to improve the conditions of work and care through an end to for-profit care.

Funding package for priorities to restart Canada’s economy reveal start of path for longer-term recovery

July 17, 2020

TORONTO – The short-term federal funding package for provinces lays the groundwork for recovery, but still misses bigger picture economic needs, says Unifor.

“The federal government has come through with a first step for economic recovery, but it is just a start,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Now it’s up to Premiers and the federal government to continue this collaboration, make these changes permanent, and create a long-term plan that puts working families first.”

Joint letter to Prime Minister Trudeau and Premiers across Canada

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, governments have necessarily taken public health seriously. To protect the public, we shut down businesses and stayed indoors. For the travel and tourism sector, this has resulted in serious impacts to their ongoing viability, and more specifically to the jobs that many Canadian families rely on. As our economy begins to reopen, it becomes more important than ever that governments focus on balancing public health and labour market considerations.

Bulletin #5

Sisters/brothers/colleagues,

Local 7 and BellMTS reach Tentative Agreement

Today we reached a tentative agreement with Bell. Your Unifor Local 7 bargaining committee unanimously recommends acceptance.

Details of the deal will be available once we have set up the ratification process. Bargaining was prolonged by the pandemic and was unique because of the video conferencing. That will be true of the ratification meetings and online voting we will need to do.

Cultural center workers join Unifor

Workers at a London, Ont. agency that helps immigrants to Canada and refugees settle in the community have voted overwhelmingly to join Unifor.

Unifor warns action needed for wheels to turn on school buses in September

As Ontario’s leading school bus driver union, Unifor warns that urgent action is needed for wheels to turn on school buses in September. The health and safety of students and school bus drivers must be a key priority as the Ontario government and school boards work to develop plans to return to an in-school setting.

GTAA layoffs point to urgent need for aviation sector strategy

July 14, 2020

TORONTO—Widespread layoffs at Pearson International Airport may have been unavoidable at this stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, but they expose the Government of Canada’s lagging response to safeguard the future of the aviation industry, says Unifor.

Grocery heads fail grocery workers, again

TORONTO - Today the heads of Canada’s largest grocery store chains faced sharp questions from MPs about their treatment of frontline workers during the pandemic, but industry must make lasting changes to correct declining working conditions in the retail sector. “It’s not that complicated. Workers are supporting these grocery chains through a pandemic that still isn’t over,” Dias said. “As President of Loblaw, Sarah Davis took home $6.7 million and her company is making record profits.

Unifor meets with Minister Garneau to review air transportation sector priorities

TORONTO—Unifor leadership representing air transportation workers met with federal Minister of Transportation Marc Garneau and representatives from his office today via videoconference to discuss the importance of ensuring the airline industry is able to weather the storm until Canada is able to return to successful travel and tourism after COVID-19.

Strike ends at Croven Crystals

Unifor Local 1090 members at Croven Crystals have ratified a new three year collective agreement, ending the strike that began on began...