KITCHENER – Unifor has successfully negotiated monetary enhancements with Grand River Hospital (GRH) on behalf of nearly 1,400 health care members.
"This isn't just a win for Unifor members at Grand River Hospital; it's a triumph for workers everywhere," said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. "Today's victory sets a powerful precedent and proves that when we mobilize, we're unstoppable."
Imagine going to work every day, knowing that you may be a target of attack or that you may be killed on the job. But you’re not a soldier or a police officer. Instead, you’re armed only with pen and notepad, or perhaps a smartphone and camera.
You are on the frontlines to narrate our stories, keep the public informed, and reveal the happenings in communities and across the globe.
There’s big things happening in Little River, NB as Unifor members help The Humanity Project build 20 tiny homes to shelter unhoused people and support those dealing with mental illness and addiction.
Unifor is proud to announce that 65 workers from Sierra Supply Chain Logistics Inc. in Hamilton, Ont. will join the union following a successful organizing campaign.
The initiative to unionize began in early October 2023, leading to an electronic vote that resulted in workers democratically deciding to join Unifor on October 19.
"The best way to improve your workplace is to organize," said Unifor National President Lana Payne. "We are thrilled to welcome these dedicated warehouse workers into our union family."
On Oct. 21, just before midnight, St. Lawrence Seaway workers made the difficult decision to go on strike after negotiations failed to reach a satisfactory agreement.
Unifor National President Lana Payne expressed her disappointment in the failure of the employer to make serious movement in the past days, saying: “This impasse is extremely unfortunate, but our members remain committed to getting a fair agreement.”
A 72-hour strike notice had been filed on Oct. 18, and despite sustained negotiating efforts, no resolution was reached by the Oct. 21 at 11:59 p.m. deadline.
TORONTO – The below is a statement from Unifor following notice from the federal government that mediation between the union and the employer will take place in Toronto on Friday, October 27, 2023.
MONTREAL - On Saturday night just before midnight, St. Lawrence Seaway workers made the difficult decision to go on strike after negotiations failed to reach a satisfactory agreement.
Unifor National President Lana Payne expressed her disappointment in the failure of the employer to make serious movement in the past two days, saying: “This impasse is extremely unfortunate but our members remain committed to getting a fair agreement.”
The ninth Unifor B.C. Regional Council opened with remarks from Alec Dan from the Musqueum band. His family, the Wolf Pack dancers, performed a welcome song and Dan described the history of the territory on which the Council was being held.
MONTREAL -Unifor is willing to continue negotiations with the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation after the scheduled bargaining dates to attempt to reach an agreement before a strike would shut down all operations along the Seaway at 11:59 p.m., Saturday, October 21.
“Unifor is committed to getting a collective agreement but at this moment the employer is not,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “.” We are staring down a strike deadline and it’s time for St. Lawrence Seaway to get serious.”
VANCOUVER—Unifor members from across British Columbia will march in downtown Vancouver to demand the federal Liberal government make good on its promise to ban scabs from labour disputes.
“Scabs have no place in Canadian workplaces,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director. “In order to ensure workers can bargain for a better standard of living, we need anti-scab legislation now. Workers have waited for the Liberals long enough.”
What: March and rally to demand federal anti-scab legislation
VANCOUVER—After a four-month campaign to raise awareness about the benefits of forming a union, Unifor has started signing cards at multiple Amazon facilities in Metro Vancouver.
“Help is on the way,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “Amazon workers in Metro Vancouver can sign a union card as the next step on their journey to forming a strong union to negotiate wages, schedules, and benefits.”
The following is an interview with Early Childhood Educator Lisa Gentile about the state of child care and what motivates her in her work. Lisa is a longtime worker at Town Day Care in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia and a member of Unifor Local 4600.
Unifor thanks Lisa and every Early Childhood Educator for the work they do to care for and educate children, and to enable more parents to work outside the home.
Unifor: What has it been like for you to see the roll-out of the Federal Early Learning and Child Care plan in Nova Scotia?
The Unifor Health Care Conference took advantage of the seaside location in Halifax, N.S. to give health care workers some time to breathe, share experiences, and discuss common challenges.
KITCHENER – Unifor Local 1106, representing nearly 1,400 dedicated health care workers at Grand River Hospital, is calling on hospital management and the Board of Directors to recognize and fairly compensate its frontline heroes.
MONTREAL-Unifor members working for the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation are ready to strike as of midnight on Saturday, October 21, 2023, which would effectively shut down transit through the Seaway. This drastic decision follows the issuance of a 72-hour strike warning to the employer, underscoring the depth of dissatisfaction and the imperative for a swift resolution to the ongoing disputes.
WINNIPEG—Stronger employment law to level the playing field between workers and their employers must be an important part of Premier Wab Kinew’s legislative agenda, says Unifor.
“Working families lost ground under the Pallister and Stefanson government. The Wab Kinew government should take swift action to restore balance in labour law,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “When working people have robust rights at work, good jobs flourish.”
Unifor extends a warm welcome to 38 new Porter Airlines employees based out of Ottawa International Airport (YOW).
“At a time when Canada’s aviation sector needs more workers, not fewer, I am thrilled to have Unifor fighting on behalf of these new members,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President.
“These workers are concerned about job security, wages, and decent work – the same issues in aviation Unifor has been consistently vocal about. We are ready to fight for them.”
A total of 220 Unifor members representing Local 6000 and 6001 in Quebec and Local 6007 in Ontario have voted in favour of a new collective agreement. This marks the conclusion of months of rigorous negotiations with Bell.
Negotiations commenced in the autumn of 2022 and reached an impasse, necessitating the support of a federal conciliation officer. The result of this mediation was a tentative agreement, which members voted to ratify on October 11, 2023.
Canada’s industries are undoubtedly facing transformations. Working people stand on the front lines of many changes to come, as this country determines how to address the challenges posed by climate change.
Our union has been calling for a vision that transforms all of Canada’s industries while leaving no worker behind. Achieving our vision for economic development and good jobs that puts working people at the centre will not come easy: it will require bold action from governments at all levels, as well as employers.
Unifor joins the international community in expressing profound grief at the mounting loss of life in Israel and Gaza and are urgently calling for an end to violence. To date thousands have been killed – including an increasing number of children -- and many more are wounded.
On October 17th, Unifor will observe the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty—a day when we stand in solidarity with all those affected by the scourge of poverty and income inequality.
TORONTO— Unifor members at General Motors (GM) have voted to ratify the pattern agreement by 80.5%.
“I am proud of our members at General Motors for their solidarity throughout their brief but decisive strike action and for ratifying this contract that contains life-changing improvements,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “This agreement reflects true collective bargaining. Our goal was to bring more fairness and equity to auto workplaces and to lift everyone up. We did that.”
MONTREAL- Members of Unifor Local 4212 and Local 4323 in Ontario and 4320 in Quebec working for the St. Lawrence Seaway Corporation voted 99% in favour of a strike should negotiations not result in a deal by the October 21, 2023 strike deadline.
Unifor celebrated the inauguration of its new union office in the town of Bécancour on October 5. The strategic location was chosen to reinforce Unifor's presence close to the future GM-POSCO and Ford battery production plants, which will be built in the Bécancour industrial park and is anticipated to start production in 2025.
TORONTO— Unifor and General Motors have reached a tentative agreement following strike action at Oshawa Assembly Plant, St. Catharines Powertrain Plant and Woodstock Parts Distribution Centre.
TORONTO—Unifor members began strike action at General Motors at midnight.
“This strike is about General Motors stubbornly refusing to meet the pattern agreement. The company knows our members will never let GM break our pattern: not today, not ever,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “The company continues to fall short on our pension demands, income supports for retired workers, and meaningful steps to transition temporary workers into permanent, full-time jobs.”
TORONTO – Unifor has released its own Air Transportation Workers’ Charter of Rights asserting that the actions taken by the federal government and airport authorities to solve travel chaos are not enough to solve the root of the problem— inadequate working conditions.
“Our members’ working conditions are the public’s travel conditions,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
Op-ed originally published in the Toronto Star on Oct. 4, 2023
Lana Payne and Rob Wildeboer
The Bank of Canada has raised the interest rate 10 times in 18 months. It’s the steepest rate hiking campaign in modern history. It’s time to hold fire.
The fact is inflation has come down quite dramatically in that time period from 8.1% in June of last year to 4% this August. Remove mortgage interest and volatile energy costs from the data and recent inflation is tracking at about 2.3% - let’s face it, the battle is pretty much over.
Accessibility
Documents can be requested in alternative/accessible formats by emailing communications@unifor.org
