All News

Unifor members ratify Manitoba Lotteries contract

WINNIPEG—Wage increases, a signing bonus and shift premiums are highlights of a new collective agreement ratified by Unifor Local 144 members at the Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation.

“The previous conservative government left gaming sector workers behind,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “The gains in this contract help address the economic circumstances workers face, including the rising cost of living.”

Unifor condemns FTG Aerospace’s use of scab labour

TORONTO — Unifor is denouncing FTG Aerospace for using scab labour amid an ongoing labour dispute at its Toronto facility. 

"FTG’s decision to use scab labour is completely unacceptable. The company is demonstrating its complete lack of respect for its own employees while attempting to draw out this dispute at the same time,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Scabs are not qualified or certified to perform the work our highly-skilled members do and this poses a major safety concern.”

Unifor members at Manitoba Lotteries reach tentative agreement

WINNIPEG—Unifor Local 144 members will vote on a contract later this week after negotiations produced a tentative agreement today.

“Our members at Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries demonstrated to the employer they were fed up with the status quo,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “Their solidarity and skilled bargaining has resulted in a contract they can be proud of.”

Unifor aviation members rally in Toronto on Day of Action for better working conditions

TORONTO – Unifor aviation members are gathering today at Pearson International Airport during the busy holiday travel season to bring awareness to poor working conditions in the sector that lead to delays, cancellations, lost baggage, and packed airports.

“We all know that travel chaos is common, even without the holiday rush,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President.

Recruitment and retention issues, pay parity and funding key issues as PWTransit workers go on strike

COMOX, B.C.– Unifor Local 114 members at Pacific Western Transportation (PWTransit) began strike action this morning in Comox and Campbell River, B.C. to make a stand to improve public transit. 

“We don’t take strike action lightly, but this is about fairness for our drivers, and this is about fixing the systemic problems in our transit system to provide better working conditions and quality service for the public,” said Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle. 

Unifor donates $70,000 to public sector strikers in Quebec

MONTREAL - Unifor announced a significant donation of $70,000 today in support of public sector workers engaged in strike action for better working conditions and quality public services in Quebec.

"At this crucial point in the negotiations, the government is counting on the strikers' exhaustion. By calling for solidarity, we hope to inspire other unions to join us in supporting their colleagues in the public services. Together, we can demonstrate that the collective strength of workers is unshakeable," said Unifor Quebec Director Daniel Cloutier.

Unifor files 72-hour strike notice with PWTransit

VANCOUVER – Unifor has submitted a 72-hour strike notice to Pacific Western Transportation (PWTransit) after Local 114 transit workers voted to reject a tentative agreement.

The strike deadline is 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023.

Local 114’s contract with PWTransit expired March 31, 2023.

PWT is contracted by BC Transit to provide services in Campbell River and Comox Valley, B.C. and work as transit operators, handy dart operators, mechanics, and cleaners.

Unifor ratifies tentative agreement to establish National Energy pattern

CALGARY—Representatives from Unifor’s energy local unions have ratified the tentative agreement that establishes the pattern for more than 7,500 members of the union’s National Energy Program.

“I congratulate the bargaining committee on setting this new pattern for our members across the energy sector,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “It was a difficult round of bargaining making it all the more important for locals to work together in order to make progress for our energy members.”

Unifor and Sobeys reach tentative collective agreement

KINCARDINE—Unifor has reached a tentative collective agreement, covering 120 frontline grocery workers, with Sobeys Kincardine. 

Details of the tentative agreement will not be released prior to being presented to members for a ratification vote in the coming week.

PWTransit workers reach tentative agreement with employer

VANCOUVER – Unifor members working at Pacific Western Transportation (PWTransit) in Comox Valley and Campbell River, B.C. have reached a tentative deal with the employer.

A ratification vote is scheduled to take place Sunday, Dec. 10.

More details about the contract will be released following ratification.

Local 114’s contract with PWT expired March 31, 2023.

Kincardine Sobeys grocery workers prepare to strike

KINCARDINE—More than 120 Unifor members at Sobeys Kincardine could be on strike effective 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 7 if the employer, who profited $261 million last quarter alone, does not come to the table with a fair agreement. 
­­
“Our union is here to deliver improvements in pay and working conditions across the board for grocery workers,” says Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “We expect Sobeys to do as Metro and Loblaws have done and meet our members’ expectations. ”

First Student bus drivers, mechanics, in Cornwall area ratify latest contract by 95%

TORONTO – Unifor members of First Student Bus – which provides school bus services for English and French language schools in Cornwall and Embrun, Ont. – have resoundingly ratified their new contract by 95%.

“Congratulations to the bargaining committee for staying strong and fighting for a good and fair deal for our members,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. 

Telecommunications workers to rally to end outsourcing at Bell Canada

KINGSTON— Telecommunications workers from Expertech will converge in Kingston, Ontario, on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, rallying against Bell's sustained efforts in job erosion through practices such as offshoring and contracting out. The unified stand calls for full-time jobs, equitable wages and benefits that keep up with the pace of inflation.

PWTransit workers overwhelmingly reject employer’s latest offer

VANCOUVER – Unifor members working at Pacific Western Transportation (PWTransit) in Comox Valley and Campbell River, B.C. have rejected the latest contract offer by 86% after the company did not close the gap to address issues of wage disparity, scheduling, and overtime language.

Members spoke out clearly at ratification meetings held Nov. 26 and voted to reject this tentative agreement.

$19M in government funding for Crofton mill and nothing to show for it

CROFTON—The fourth consecutive curtailment at the Paper Excellence paper mill in Crofton will keep more than 100 workers laid off and the community left wondering why they have nothing to show for $19 million in public funding from two levels of government.

The new curtailment will reportedly extend to the end of February 2024.

Unifor and PWTransit reach tentative agreement in Comox Valley

COMOX—A strike at Pacific Western Transportation (PWTransit) in Comox and Campbell River in British Columbia has been averted as the bargaining committee of Unifor Local 114 and the employer have reached a tentative agreement.

“Congratulations to our members at Local 114 in the Comox Valley for bargaining tough to achieve fairness in a region with a rapidly growing cost of living,” Lana Payne, Unifor National President. 

More details about the contract will be made available upon ratification. A vote is scheduled to take place on Sunday, November 26, 2023.

Unifor reaches tentative agreement with No Frills

A tentative agreement has been reached between Unifor and No Frills.

“Our bargaining committee at No Frills was determined to build on what grocery store workers had achieved this past summer with Metro,” said Lana Payne, National President of Unifor. “This tentative agreement delivers pattern wages and many other improvements for our members.”

Proposed B.C. regulations stop short of best protections for gig workers

VANCOUVER—The proposed regulations outlined today by B.C. Labour Minister Harry Bains delivers long-overdue protections for misclassified gig workers but will stop short of giving them the full employment rights all Canadians deserve, says Unifor.

“Powerful digital platform employers have come to rely on precarious employment, and governments can and must raise the floor for gig workers,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. 

PWTransit workers file 72-hour strike notice

VANCOUVER – Unifor has submitted 72-hour strike notice to Pacific Western Transportation (PWTransit) placing Local 114 transit members in a legal strike position as of Sun., Nov. 19 at 8:46 a.m.

“Our union remains committed to trying to negotiate a contract that addresses the concerns and needs of the membership,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. 

“The decision to take job action is never taken lightly but our members cannot continue to survive on lower wages than the industry standard and will strike if necessary.” 

First Student bus drivers vote in favour of strike action

TORONTO – Unifor members of First Student Bus – which provides school bus services for English and French language schools in the Cornwall, Ont. region – voted 94% in favour of strike action on Nov. 14.

“School bus operators are an integral part of the public education system with important responsibilities and yet they continue to be paid less than other professional drivers,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “They deserve decent pay and working conditions and the union is determined to fight for them.”

IMP Aerospace members ratify new collective agreement

HALIFAX-Unifor Local 2215 members working at IMP Aerospace in Hammonds Plains and Enfield, Nova Scotia, ratified a new collective agreement that sees increases to base wage rates, shift premiums, allowances, and improved paid time off.

“Members at IMP Aerospace were engaged and active throughout this bargaining process and that is vital to winning a better agreement,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “I congratulate the bargaining committee for their hard work and send my respect to every member for their solidarity."