All News

Governments must protect Aviation workers as Sunwing suspends operations

March 17, 2020

TORONTO —Today Sunwing Airlines announced it will suspend operations after March 23, 2020 and all pilots, approximately 470 in total, will be laid off on April 8, 2020.

“We will not accept any situation where workers are left to fend for themselves, not at Sunwing, not anywhere,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “That’s why we’ve called on all levels of government to confront this unprecedented pandemic with unprecedented action to protect the livelihoods of workers affected by this crisis.”

Doug Ford’s COVID-19 strategy fails to protect Ontarians

March 16, 2020

TORONTO— The Government of Ontario’s legislative response to the COVID-19 pandemic fails to institute paid sick days that will enable workers to protect themselves and others from exposure to the virus.

Unifor calls for income and benefit protection during casino shutdown

TORONTO – Unifor calls for bold and immediate action from government and employers to protect casino workers impacted by today’s announcement from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation to temporarily shut down all Ontario casinos in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Government and employers are acting now to protect the health and safety of casino workers and patrons,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “The result of that decision cannot leave workers vulnerable to the economic impact that this will have on their lives.” 

Do’s and Don’ts for employers during COVID-19 pandemic

March 13, 2020

TORONTO – Unifor is urging employers across every sector of the Canadian economy to protect workers from COVID-19 exposure and assist in slowing the spread of the pandemic to ease the impact on the health care system.

Air Navigation Specialists ratify collective agreement

March 13, 2020

OTTAWA— Unifor Local 1016 members who work as Canadian Air Navigation Specialists have voted 97 per cent in favour of ratifying a new four-year collective agreement with Nav Canada.

Empress hotel workers reach tentative agreement

VICTORIA—The bargaining committee for Fairmont Empress hotel workers have reached a tentative agreement with the employer.

“Unifor is a union for hotel workers,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “I’m proud of the work accomplished by Local 4276 to lead the hospitality sector in British Columbia.”

Empress Hotel workers serve notice of job action

VICTORIA—The Empress Hotel management’s push for concessions at the bargaining table has forced members of Unifor Local 4276 to serve strike notice for 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 7.

“The Empress’ owner needs to think again if he thinks we’re going to let him degrade working conditions,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “You can’t have a first-class hotel without first-class service and first-class working conditions.”

Alberta budget a disappointment for workers

EDMONTON—The Kenney government’s continued pursuit of a balanced budget at any cost will continue to harm workers and their families, says Unifor, Canada’s largest private sector union. 

“The speed at which Jason Kenney wants to balance the budget is purely ideological and will do significant harm to Alberta’s most vulnerable,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “There is simply no economic reason whatsoever to cut funding to schools and hospitals as Premier Kenney insists.”

FCA shift cut will eliminate 1,500 jobs at Windsor Assembly Plant

February 27, 2020 WINDSOR– The decision by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) to cut the third shift at the Windsor Assembly Plant will eliminate approximately 1,500 direct jobs, lead to significant job loss in the parts supply chain, and inflict damage to both the local and national economy. “Unifor is very disappointed that FCA was unable to find a solution that would have avoided job losses,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.

Province appoints special mediator in Co-op Refinery dispute

February 12, 2020

REGINA—Unifor welcomes the appointment of renowned mediator Vince Ready by Saskatchewan Labour Minister Don Morgan to assist in reaching a collective agreement with Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) to end the 69-day lockout at the refinery.

Unifor outraged at Regina Police denial of lawful picket

February 07, 2020 REGINA – Unifor is outraged at the actions of the Regina Police Service to deny lawful picketing by locked-out workers at Co-op Refinery. “Regina Police blocking access to picket locations at the bidding of Co-op Refinery is a clear violation of Charter rights,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. This morning Regina Police blocked access on Ninth Avenue North between McDonald and Winnipeg streets to all picketers while escorting Co-op trucks through to the refinery as uniformed officers checked the trucker’s names off lists at the barriers.

Schlegel long-term care workers speak about breakdown in negotiations

February 7, 2020

WINDSOR– Members of Unifor Local 2458 at Schlegel long-term care facilities will be available to speak to media with details on the breakdown in negotiations with the employer.

“The success of these negotiations must be the dignified care of long-term care residents through proper respect paid to the workers who provide them hands-on care each and every day – anything less than that is unacceptable,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. 

Members of the media are invited to attend the media availability:

Unifor 594 outlines plan to go back to work Monday

REGINA –Today Unifor outlined a path to immediately end the lockout at the Co-op Refinery and return Local 594 members back to work as early as Monday.

“The decision by Co-op Refinery to lock out its employees is hurting not just the workers but the people of Saskatchewan and Co-op could easily end it today,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.

Unifor is calling for the Saskatchewan government to agree to the appointment of a mediator with the power to implement a binding settlement. 

The path to end the lockout includes:

Talks break off between Unifor and Co-op

REGINA—Federated Co-operatives Limited’s newest refusal to bargain in good faith demonstrates a new level of company dishonesty, says Unifor.

“Saskatchewan workers have the right to stand up to greedy employers like this one— but Co-op continues to add new concessions to attack refinery workers,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Rogue Co-op executives never had any intention of bargaining- Premier Moe needs to wake up and show some leadership.”

Unifor to comment on stalled Co-op negotiations

REGINA—The union representing locked-out refinery workers will hold a media conference at 10 a.m. to report on the status of the protracted labour dispute.

 “We want a to find common ground for a fair contract, but Co-op has not moved off of the same insulting concessions first tabled last year,” said Scott Doherty, Executive Assistant to the National President and lead negotiator.

Members of the media are invited to attend the media availability:

What: Media Availability

Unifor members ratify agreement with Grand River Transit

January 30, 2020 KITCHENER – Unifor Local 4304 members working at Grand River Transit have ratified a new collective agreement with the transit service, bringing strike action to an end. “Unifor is the union for transit workers in Canada, and this collective agreement shows that we can negotiate the contracts that best address the needs of transit workers,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “Our bargaining committee was committed to addressing the priorities of members leading into this set of negotiations, and that is reflected in the results.

Unifor offers to abide by injunction to get back to bargaining table

REGINA—Unifor agreed to comply with the injunction concerning the Co-op Refinery picket line if Federated Co-operatives Limited returns to the bargaining table and bargains with the union in good faith.

“In a statement today, FCL said that it was willing to bargain if the union abides by the injunction. If Co-op agrees to meet with us at the table at 10 a.m. on January 30 then we will abide by the order at that time. We want a deal,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.

Jerry Dias to respond to Co-op FCL’s latest excuse to avoid bargaining

January 29, 2020

REGINA—Unifor National President Jerry Dias will give an update to media at 4:30 p.m., responding to Federated Cooperatives Limited (FCL) recent statements concerning the now 55-day lockout.

Nearly 800 highly skilled members of Unifor Local 594 remain locked out from the Co-op Refinery after refusing to accept major concessions. 

Members of the media are invited to attend the media availability:

What:                  Media Availability 

Unifor applauds recommendation for regulation of internet TV

Unifor applauds the call to require internet TV services that access the Canadian market to support Canadian content, as recommended in the final report of the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Legislative Review Panel (BTLRP).

Unifor and GRT reach new tentative agreement

January 28, 2020 WATERLOO REGION – Unifor Local 4304 and Grand River Transit (GRT) have reached a new tentative collective agreement, following more than a week of strike action at the transit utility. “On the line, and throughout bargaining, members were united in their call to improve safety and working conditions. That message was clearly heard,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.