TORONTO – Amid hurried negotiations to meet an artificial deadline Unifor warns that a rushed North American Free Trade Agreement will put workers in peril.
“Canada must not be pushed into a hasty NAFTA deal that will impact workers and jobs for a generation to come,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “There is no reason to sign on to half-baked trade policies simply to meet foreign political agendas.”
MONCTON – Workers at Moncton Honda have given their bargaining committee a strike mandate after negotiations between Unifor Local 4501 and the dealership reached an impasse.
“This is incredibly disappointing as the bargaining committee has given Moncton Honda every opportunity to reach a deal,” said Christian Laforge, Unit Chair, Unifor Local 4501. “Our members have been working without a contract since December 31, 2017 and yet the dealership is continuing to drag this out by refusing to address key issues.”
For more than 470 days, workers at the DJ Composites aerospace facility in Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador, members of Unifor local 597, have been locked out by their American-based employer.
These workers earn modest wages, by any standard and certainly by aerospace industry standards.
WINNIPEG—The union at one of Canada’s largest heavy-duty transit manufacturers has reached a tentative agreement with their employer, New Flyer Industries.
“I commend the bargaining committee for holding the line on their defined benefit pension plan,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “These Unifor members have earned their defined benefits plans, and it’s an issue worth fighting for.”
HALIFAX-Failing to make domestic violence leave paid leave allows a major barrier to remain for Nova Scotia women who need to flee violent homes says Unifor.
“Protected leave is important so women do not lose their jobs for missing work. but we know that economic security is critical when a woman decides to escape a violent situation and today’s legislation misses this critical fact,” said Lana Payne, Atlantic Regional Director.
TORONTO- The Ontario budget’s investments in public services show continued momentum towards social justice and the effectiveness of political activism.
OTTAWA – Unifor National President Jerry Dias will host NAFTA: A Worker’s View Roundtable, featuring Mexican and Canadian labour leaders, Canada’s Chief NAFTA negotiator Steve Verheul and members of Canadian civil society groups.
“This is a critical time for the voices of workers to be heard on the true impact of NAFTA in both nations,” said Dias. “There is real danger that the sudden push by the U.S. for a rush deal could lead to a further deterioration of living standards for workers.”
OTTAWA – Unifor National President Jerry Dias will host NAFTA: A Worker’s View Roundtable, featuring Mexican and Canadian labour leaders, Canada’s Chief NAFTA negotiator Steve Verheul and members of Canadian civil society groups.
“This is a critical time for the voices of workers to be heard on the true impact of NAFTA in both nations,” said Dias. “There is real danger that the sudden push by the U.S. for a rush deal could lead to a further deterioration of living standards for workers.”
TORONTO- Unifor representatives will be available to comment following the release of the 2018 Ontario provincial budget.
“The Liberals’ announcement of free public childcare for preschool children shows the pressure that workers are putting on this government is being felt,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.
March 27, 2018
TORONTO -Three of Canada’s largest unions today announced an alliance that kicks off an escalating campaign of membership mobilization to push Ontario hospitals to return to bargaining and treat their staff with respect.
The Nova Scotia Council of Health Care Unions (Unifor, NSGEU, CUPE and NSNU) today requested that the Nova Scotia Labour Board settle the outstanding issues and finalize an Essential Services plan for the IWK. The Labour Board has 30 days to hear submissions from both the Employer and the Council of Unions and reach a conclusion on the remaining issues.
At the end of this process the IWK will have an Essential Services plan.
March 26, 2018 TORONTO- The Ontario Liberals' last budget before the June 2018 provincial election must address inequality and the crisis in care, says Unifor.
OTTAWA – Unifor and Mexican labour leaders join together this week to warn MPs about the dangers of negotiating a NAFTA deal that fails to protect workers in both countries.
“The old NAFTA model was built on exploitation, as Canadian manufacturing jobs migrated to Mexico where multinationals are permitted to pay workers poverty wages,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “If a new NAFTA does not address low wages and labour rights in Mexico then both Canadian and Mexican workers will continue to pay the price.”
OTTAWA – Unifor and Mexican labour leaders join together this week to warn MPs about the dangers of negotiating a NAFTA deal that fails to protect workers in both countries.
“The old NAFTA model was built on exploitation, as Canadian manufacturing jobs migrated to Mexico where multinationals are permitted to pay workers poverty wages,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “If a new NAFTA does not address low wages and labour rights in Mexico then both Canadian and Mexican workers will continue to pay the price.”
TORONTO – School bus drivers at First Student Canada and Parkview Transit, members of Unifor locals 4268 and 1285, have voted to accept new collective agreements.
“Unifor worked diligently to achieve significant gains in these two contracts as part of the union’s ongoing work to raise standards for school bus drivers across Ontario’s student transportation sector,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.
Unifor Local 4268 and First Student Bowmanville have reached a tentative agreement, bringing an end to a three day school bus strike.
“The drivers took a firm stand and as a result were able to reach a deal with First Student that better reflects their true value,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “While this negotiation highlighted the issue of unpaid work the practice remains common in the student transportation sector. Unifor will continue to lead the fight to fix unfair pay structures and other systemic problems in Ontario’s school bus industry.”
Today the company publicly released its final monetary offer, which was refused by your bargaining committee last night. First Student failed to tell the whole story truthfully. This should shock no one.
We are writing today to clarify why your bargaining committee rejected this offer.
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