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Unifor welcomes new report on Metro Vancouver container trucking sector

VANCOUVER—A new report published by the B.C. Container Trucking Commissioner will help close many loopholes and improve the standard of living for truckers, says Unifor.

“Container truckers’ concerns about enforcement and fairness have been heard,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “The move to hourly rates makes sense and the ministry must ensure that no truck driver loses out when this system is fully implemented.”

COVID heroes locked out

Reliance Home Comfort, a multi-billion-dollar HVAC company, has locked out its COVID heroes just as the weather starts to warm for spring.

New funding secures jobs at Alstom Thunder Bay

After months of lobbying, Unifor members are relieved with today’s funding announcement by federal and provincial ministers, the Mayors of Toronto and Thunder Bay, and transit officials to purchase sixty additional streetcars and refurbish bi-level coaches that will secure jobs for Unifor Local 1075 members at the Alstom plant in Thunder Bay.

Unifor welcomes Canada’s intervention on eve of line 5 closure

Unifor is relieved the federal Minister of Natural Resources is intervening on the eve of tomorrow’s deadline for Enbridge to shut down a key artery in the energy infrastructure between Canada and the U.S., providing vital energy needs for four provinces and four states.​

Ford government must act to reduce unacceptable surgical and test backlog

May 10, 2021 The Ontario government must act immediately to reduce the unacceptable surgical and diagnostic test backlog says Unifor. “The Ford government failed to quickly enact measures to protect Ontarians from the spread of COVID-19, such as paid sick days and priority vaccination access for essential workers,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.

Unifor warns of possible disruptions for Reliance Comfort customers

TORONTO—A refusal by the owners of Reliance Home Comfort to make meaningful proposals at the bargaining table could force job action this week at the Ontario-based HVAC, plumbing, and electrical provider, says Unifor.

“Unifor members serve Reliance customers with pride, but without movement on key issues from the employer this week, customer service will grind to a halt if we’re on a picket line,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.

Brian Pallister continues to underachieve on paid sick leave

WINNIPEG—A new provincial so-called sick leave program strictly limited to COVID-19 is woefully inadequate, says Unifor.

“Brian Pallister doesn’t get it. Manitobans don’t need the absolute bare minimum, they need robust public health policies that keep them and their families safe,” said Jerry Dias Unifor National President. “Brian Pallister has failed Manitobans yet again.”

Greene Report ‘reset’ will hurt workers and impede economic recovery

May 6, 2021

ST. JOHN’S —The slash-and-burn reset’ recommendations in the Greene Report would hurt Newfoundland and Labrador workers, cut vital social services and impede a post-pandemic economic recovery if implemented. 

“Greene’s Big Reset is a Big Failure, lacking imagination or a vision for the future that includes good jobs and strong public services,” said Unifor Regional Director Linda MacNeil. “A framework that starts with balancing the budget and ends with privatization is not a reset, it’s a step backwards.”

Ocean Concrete locks out workers to force concessions

VICTORIA—Members of Unifor Local 114 working at Ocean Concrete in Victoria have been locked out of their workplace by an employer seeking concessions at the bargaining table, Unifor says.

“Shame on Ocean Concrete for locking out workers during a pandemic,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Ocean Concrete has no excuse for these aggressive tactics.”  

Nestlé workers on strike in Toronto

May 1, 2021
TORONTO – More than 470 workers went on strike at a Nestlé Canada manufacturing plant in Toronto at midnight Saturday after contract negotiations between Unifor Local 252 and the chocolate company broke down.
"It’s a sad state of affairs," said Eamonn Clarke, President of Unifor Local 252. "We’ve opened the door to precarious work and the company has taken advantage of it, using it to line their own pockets, make more profits and they don’t want to share anything with the workers."

Unifor calls Loblaw ‘appreciation bonus’ an insult to frontline workers

April 30, 2021

Toronto - The announcement of a chump change employee ‘appreciation bonus’ by Loblaw Companies Limited is an insult to workers says Unifor, especially given its departing President took home more than $6 million dollars last year.

“The unmitigated greed of Canada’s largest grocery retailer knows no limits,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “This paltry payment to frontline grocery workers, who are keeping us fed throughout this pandemic, is nothing short of a disgrace.”

Ontario government PSW regulation short on details raises more questions than answers and absent urgent support workers need today

Unions representing 175,000 workers serving on the frontlines of this pandemic re-iterate demand that the Ford government support workers

TORONTO, ON – Today, SEIU Healthcare, Unifor, and CUPE, unions representing 175,000 healthcare workers across Ontario, are concerned that the Ford government in Ontario has introduced a Bill to regulate personal support workers (PSWs) without also providing the urgent supports they need right now as they continue to fight the pandemic.

Brian Pallister stands alone as last paid vaccination leave holdout in the west

WINNIPEG—Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister’s refusal to ensure workers can get vaccinated at no cost to them is callous and endangers the province’s most vulnerable, says Unifor.

“It makes no sense for Brian Pallister to drag his feet on vaccinating Manitobans,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Paid vaccination leave should be considered the bare minimum and Brian Pallister won’t even do that.”