TORONTO–With less than a month until a scheduled return to the classroom, woefully inadequate school bus health and safety protocols put students and drivers at risk Unifor says.
On behalf of the over 2,500 Ontario school bus drivers represented by Unifor, we are asking that the provincial government take immediate action in developing a comprehensive plan to protect the health and safety of school bus drivers and students when schools reopen this September.
Unifor opened formal contract talks with Fiat Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors in Toronto today telling automakers the theme of these talks is The Future is Made in Canada.
VANCOUVER—Members of Unifor Local 433 voted 96 per cent in favour of a new four-year contract that improves the recall notice for laid off workers.
“The hospitality industry has struggled during the pandemic, but Unifor members have worked hard to fight for their rights to be recalled fairly,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Unifor collective agreements help ensure income security and lead the hospitality industry.”
August 11, 2020 TORONTO– Unifor will begin formal contract talks with the Detroit Three automakers, Fiat Chrysler, Ford and General Motors, to reach collective agreements for nearly 20 thousand members on August 12, 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, strict safety protocols will be in place for the duration of the negotiations to ensure compliance with Ontario health directives. Unifor will make every effort to provide media with all necessary materials to allow for safe, remote coverage.
HALIFAX—Northern Pulp workers and their families have been betrayed by the McNeil government with its refusal to allow the company to use third-party financing to pay severance.
TORONTO– Unifor will begin formal contract talks with the Detroit Three automakers, Fiat Chrysler, Ford and General Motors, to reach collective agreements for nearly 20 thousand members on August 12, 2020.
"These are significant negotiations at a time when the auto sector needs new investment to rebuild our economy with more Made in Canada manufacturing,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “Our union is committed to negotiating a solid agreement that makes progress on wages and working conditions for our members."
TORONTO—The re-imposition of punitive tariffs on Canadian aluminum exports by the U.S. Department of Commerce warrants a swift and aggressive trade reaction from the Trudeau government, says Unifor.
“A policy designed for Russian and Chinese exports has been recklessly applied to Canadian producers,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Prime Minister Trudeau must respond with severe countermeasures.”
Jerry Dias, Unifor National President & Renaud Gagné, Unifor Quebec Director
Against any semblance of good judgement, the United States is on the verge of yet another trade war with Canada by slapping a new round of tariffs on Canadian aluminum.
Sadly, this is the culmination of the current US administration’s stubborn refusal to understand just how important Canadian aluminum is to the US and its willingness to sacrifice jobs in both countries on behalf of special interests.
VICTORIA—The new requirement for transit passengers to wear masks onboard buses is a welcome change that will help protect both other passengers and transit operators, says Unifor.
“With the proper precautions, we can have great public transit that minimizes public health risks,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “We have the upmost confidence in the Provincial Health Officer.”
The explosion this week in Beirut was startling to watch, and the images of the aftermath and the dreadful toll of the blast have been absolutely heartbreaking.
This terrible tragedy has struck a city still recovering from a devastating civil war and still dealing with the health and economic impacts of COVID-19. Closer to home, Lebanese Canadians are suffering and in need of our support and comfort. Like all of us, they can only watch their screens and hope for any good news they can find.
HALIFAX—The union representing the majority of workers at Northwood Manor willingly participated in the government-led review of long-term care facilities’ response to COVID-19, knowing fast action may help save lives as the pandemic continues.
Chantal Kreviazuk, The Sheepdogs, Basia Bulat, Born Ruffians, and Tokyo Police Club latest to support the growing campaign to reform Ontario’s long-term care system
July 31, 2020 ST. JOHN’S–Unifor Local 597 and Loblaw Companies Limited have reached a tentative collective agreement, avoiding strike action at Dominion stores across Newfoundland. “These members have shown their character on the frontline of the pandemic and throughout the bargaining process as they united to improve working standards,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “Unifor has and will continue the fight to raise the bar for essential retail workers.” Details of the collective agreement will not be released prior to ratification.
TORONTO — Unions that represent front-line healthcare workers across the long-term care sector issued the below joint statement following the release of Ontario’s long-term care staffing study, attributed to Sharleen Stewart, President, SEIU Healthcare, Candace Rennick, Secretary-Treasurer, CUPE Ontario, and Jerry Dias, National President, Unifor:
ST. JOHN’S–Negotiations to renew the collective agreement between Unifor and Loblaw Companies Limited are coming down to the wire as a strike deadline that will affect all 11 Dominion stores in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador looms.
“This is not the outcome we want. However, as the hours pass it becomes clearer that strike action may be inevitable,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.
Harassment, assault, and murder committed by police in the United States and Canada are unjust and unacceptable.
Unifor acknowledges the systemic racism, rooted in White Supremacy, that leads to violence perpetuated against Black, Indigenous and people of colour globally, resulting in individual and community pain, incarceration, and death.
TORONTO — SEIU Healthcare, CUPE Ontario, and Unifor, unions that represent healthcare workers across the long-term care sector, released the following joint statement in response to Ontario’s newly-announced commission into long-term care:
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.”
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.”
TORONTO – Women journalists are reporting an increase in gender inequality during the COVID-19 pandemic, as more than half say they have personally experienced an escalation in a new International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) survey released today.
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