All News

Goodbye, Don Cherry, and good riddance

Every era must come to an end, and thankfully the end has come for Don Cherry’s.

In a long overdue move, Sportsnet finally cut ties with the host of Coach’s Corner this week. 

It should have happened a long time ago. 

Years of racist and misogynist comments, uninformed opinions on issues such as climate change and advocating a hard-hitting style of hockey that, frankly, put the health of players at risk, finally made his continued employment untenable.

Requiring streaming giants to invest in CanCon isn’t complicated: it’s the law

Jerry Dias, National President of Unifor and Daniel Bernhard, Executive Director of Friends of Canadian Broadcasting

Today, the Disney+ streaming service becomes available in Canada, hot on the heels of Apple+, which launched on November 1st. Many are celebrating their arrival as a boon for Canadian viewers: hundreds of new programs, available anytime, anywhere, for less than $9 per month.

VIA Rail Bargaining Update # 2

Unifor Council 4000 and Local 100 met with VIA Rail in Montreal this week to continue bargaining.

Both committees continued to resolve outstanding grievances.

We then proceeded to exchange proposals with the Company and discussed work rules. We will
continue to work diligently to secure a fair contract for all members.

We reiterate that members identified a number of key issues in this contract negotiation, including a
strengthened pension plan, an end to contracting out, made-in-Canada fleet sourcing, part time and
work/rest rules.

Unifor calls on Coast Mountain to negotiate to end the transit strike

Unifor will return to the bargaining table to negotiate in good faith with Coast Mountain Bus Company, but warns that more inaction from the employer will cause further transit disruptions by the end of the week.

“We’ve been bargaining for months. Transit workers in Metro Vancouver have been very patient with the employer,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “But ultimately our members have a legal right to withdraw their services if the disrespect from Translink and CMBC continues and a contract cannot be achieved through bargaining alone.”

Unifor growing in hospitality sector

Unifor continues to grow in the hospitality sector, with more than 150 workers at two hotels in the Toronto area voting to join the union in just two

Unifor proud of its role during the federal election

We aren’t a shy bunch at Unifor - and that was certainly proved true during last month’s federal election.

In fact, we did exactly what we said we’d do - play an active role in ensuring that Andrew Scheer’s Conservatives never form government and never get the chance to turn the clock back on progressive policies this country needs.

We reached out to our members in key ridings across Canada, making sure they were aware of what was at stake in the election if the Conservatives won.

Free Anne Krueger and all jailed Filipino labour organizers

TORONTO - Unifor strongly condemns the arrest and detention of 57 members of labour and civil society organizations in the Philippines.

“I call upon the Filipino government to immediately drop the trumped-up charges against Anne Krueger and all detained labour organizers. The sudden, widespread arrest of nearly 60 activists is a reprehensible fear tactic, clearly aimed at suppressing a growing movement for workers’ rights,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.

Contract talks break off with Coast Mountain Bus Company

October 31, 2019

VANCOUVER—Coast Mountain Bus Company’s refusal to make any significant offers over the last 48 hours have forced Unifor Locals 111 and 2200 negotiators to call off talks.

“We have not had a serious offer from the company since we served strike notice,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “In other words, the company feels very comfortable with system-wide job action.”

Submission to Nova Scotia Environment Re: Northern Pulp Replacement Effluent Treatment Facility Project Focus Report

[Submitted online at: https://www.novascotia.ca/nse/ea]

October 31, 2019

Environmental Assessment Branch
Nova Scotia Environment
Halifax, NS

Re: Northern Pulp Replacement Effluent Treatment Facility Project Focus Report

Greetings,

We are pleased to have an opportunity to provide comments regarding the Focus Report for the Northern Pulp Replacement Effluent Treatment Facility Project, an essential development for the future of forestry in Nova Scotia.

Transit strike would start with uniform and overtime ban

VANCOUVER—As negotiations continue, transit workers have announced that, should a tentative agreement not be reached by 8 a.m. on Friday, November 1, strike action will begin with a uniform ban by transit operators and an overtime ban by maintenance workers.

VIA Rail Bargaining Update # 1

Unifor Council 4000 and Local 100 opened bargaining with VIA Rail in Montreal on October 25-26 as contracts near expiration for more than 2,000 members.

The opening included introductions and an exchange of proposals, and significant progress in the resolution of outstanding grievances. Your bargaining committees will continue to work diligently to secure a fair contract for all members.

Contract talks break off with Coast Mountain Bus Company

Coast Mountain Bus Company’s refusal to make any significant offers over the last 48 hours have forced Unifor Locals 111 and 2200 negotiators to call off talks.

“We have not had a serious offer from the company since we served strike notice,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “In other words, the company feels very comfortable with system-wide job action.”

Unifor negotiators say that there has been no progress on working conditions, benefits, or wages—contrary to a statement issued on Thursday by Coast Mountain Bus Company president Michael McDaniel.

Metro Vancouver transit operators serve strike notice

October 28, 2019

VANCOUVER—The failure of Coast Mountain Bus Company (CMBC) to meaningfully address workers’ concerns about working conditions, wages, and benefits during this round of negotiations has led Unifor Local 111 and 2200 to serve 72-hour notice of job action.

“It’s not hard to understand what is happening here. The company is showing little respect for the difficult working conditions that our members must face every day,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.