All News

Unifor launches ‘I Shop Canada’ campaign

June 28, 2018

TORONTO – In support of workers and good paying jobs, Unifor has launched a national

‘I Shop Canada’ campaign to promote and increase the purchase of made-in-Canada products and services.

I Shop Canada is about making a choice at the cash register to use our collective consumer purchasing power to aid workers in our communities and across the country,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.

Unifor holds People’s Trade Town Hall in Windsor

June 26, 2018

WINDSOR – Unifor invites community members to a People’s Trade Town Hall in Windsor, Ontario on Wednesday June 27, 2018.

“Trade is an issue that impacts all of us – every worker, and every community. This is especially evident as the U.S. escalates a trade war with attacks on Canadian industries including auto, steel and aluminum,”said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.

WHAT: Unifor People’s Trade Town Hall

Nova Scotia hospital closures leave many unanswered questions

June 25, 2018

SYDNEY – Today’s government announcement that two acute care hospitals will close and be replaced by community health centres in Cape Breton has caused much concern for residents and Unifor members in Nova Scotia.

“While Unifor welcomes any changes that would improve health services in Cape Breton, we are cautious with this announcement as the history of health care reform by this liberal government hasn’t been exactly positive,” said Unifor Atlantic Regional Director Lana Payne.

Unifor members ratify collective agreements with Bombardier

June 24, 2018

TORONTO – Members of two Unifor locals working at Bombardier Aerospace in Downsview ratified collective agreements, strengthening their pensions and job security.

“Unifor members at both locals 112 and 673 identified job security as their key priority for this round of bargaining,” said Jerry Dias Unifor National President. “By strengthening job commitment language, this contract will provide members with greater job security for the future. ” 

Unifor locals reach tentative agreements with Bombardier

June 23, 2018

TORONTO – Two Unifor locals representing workers at the Bombardier Aerospace plant in Downsview have reached tentative agreements. Both agreements are scheduled for ratification on Sunday.

“This was a tough round of negotiations and I'm very proud of the skill shown by our bargaining committees in securing these tentative agreements,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias, who began his career at the plant and was active in the negotiations.

New tentative agreement reached at Halifax Shipyard

June 20, 2019

HALIFAX – Unifor MWF 1 has reached a new tentative agreement with Irving Shipbuilding in Halifax.

No details will be disclosed about this new tentative agreement until the union has had an opportunity to present the agreement to the membership.

Unifor Local MWF 1 represents more than 800 members who proudly build vessels for the Royal Canadian Navy.

Out of respect for the collective bargaining process, the union will have no further comment until members have voted on this agreement.

Unifor reaches tentative agreement with Catalyst Paper

June 16, 2018
VANCOUVER – A new four-year tentative agreement has been reached between Catalyst Paper and Unifor, representing approximately 750 workers in British Columbia.
“This agreement achieves the pattern bargaining goals that Unifor set for the western pulp sector, which is helping to raise standards across the board,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. "I congratulate the bargaining committee on obtaining a fair deal in these very challenging times for the Canadian pulp and paper industry.”

Strike delayed as talks resume with Irving Shipbuilding

June 15, 2018

HALIFAX - Members of Unifor MWF 1 have agreed to postpone job action and return to the bargaining table with Irving Shipbuilding on Monday June 18, 2018.

"Irving has informed us they are prepared to make a good faith effort to address some of the concerns raised by our members so on this basis we will extend the strike deadline and return to the table,” said Adam Hersey, Business Agent for Unifor Local MWF 1, which represents more than 800 members who proudly build vessels for the Royal Canadian Navy.

Compass mine refuses to bargain

June 14, 2018

GODERICH—Despite Unifor’s efforts to reach a fair settlement, Compass Minerals refuses to bargain unless miners accept all of its concessions.

“Mandatory overtime is not safe and cutting pension benefits is not in the best interests of workers,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Miners make this mine work, and they deserve a fair deal.”

Mandatory workplace drug and alcohol testing case sent back to arbitration

June 14, 2018

OTTAWA—Today Unifor learned that the Supreme Court of Canada will not be hearing Unifor’s case regarding random drug and alcohol testing.

As a result, the union’s grievance will be re-heard by a new arbitration panel. Unifor is confident that it will prevail before the new arbitration panel.

"There is no evidence that random testing improves safety," said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. "Unifor is committed to reliable methods to keep our members safe on the job while respecting their dignity."

Union representatives available to discuss pending strike at Irving Shipyard

June 14, 2018

HALIFAX - Representatives Unifor local MWF 1, which served 48 hour strike notice last night will hold a news conference to discuss the labour dispute with Irving Shipbuilding. No other interviews will be done until this time.
What:         Unifor Local MWF 1 News Conference
When:         2 pm Thursday June 14, 2018
Where:     2nd floor Boardroom, 63 Otter Lake Court, Halifax
Who:     Adam Hersey, Business Agent, Chad Johnston, Unifor National Representative

Halifax shipyard workers serve Irving 48 hours strike notice

June 13, 2018

HALIFAX - Members of Unifor MWF 1 have voted to reject a tentative agreement with Irving Shipbuilding by 75 per cent after eight months of tense negotiations in Halifax.

“This is not just about economics, it’s about respect for workers and fixing the workplace for members and they are clearly sending a strong message to Irving today,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.

Unifor alarmed by layoffs at TFO, Ontario’s French Public Broadcaster

June 13, 2018
TORONTO - Canada’s largest media union is alarmed to see Ontario’s only French public broadcaster, Télévision française de l'Ontario (TFO), cut programs and lay off 37 workers, including 11 Unifor members.
“Lack of provincial funding means the more than 600 thousand Ontario francophones will have fewer options to see Canadian programming, and our members are losing their jobs needlessly,” said Richard Paquin, Unifor National Representative.

Retail workers rally to save stat holidays

June 13, 2018

BRAMPTONOn Thursday, June 14, a delegation of workers, including Unifor activists from Local 414 will hold a rally calling on the Peel Region council to keep the existing Holiday Shopping bylaw.

Unifor opposes Pearson airport ride service pick up

June 12, 2018

TORONTO – Unifor, representing approximately 500 airport limousine drivers, stands opposed to the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) decision to allow Uber and Lyft ride service drivers to pick up passengers at Toronto’s Pearson Airport.

After privatization Gateway Casinos lays off workers

Sudbury – Gateway Casinos Sudbury announced Monday that seven of 40 workers will be laid off, and Unifor said the job loss is the direct result of privatization in Ontario gaming operations.

Unifor pledges to continue building labour movement following Progressive Conservative win

TORONTO - Ford win demonstrates need for continued activism to defend public services, workers’ rights and equity in Ontario.

“If Doug Ford thinks that the result of this election is a carte-blanche to wage attacks on workers and unleash cuts to public services from the PC handbook, then he’s about to be very surprised,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Working people in Ontario are strong, organized, and will continue to defend the gains we have made and push to make life better for all working people. Our mobilization starts today.”

Unifor Ontario Regional Director available to comment on Ontario Election

HAMILTON - Naureen Rizvi will be available to comment on workers’ position concerning the provincial election race and results on Thursday, June 7.

“Unifor members and workers across the province made the case for a better future for Ontarians in this election, one with universal public services and good jobs for all,” said Naureen Rizvi, Unifor Ontario Regional Director. “The result of this election will shape the future for all people who call Ontario home, and Unifor is ready to continue to push for progress, no matter the outcome.”

CRTC report calls for action to strengthen Canadian culture

May 31, 2018

OTTAWA—The union representing 12,000 Canadian journalists and media workers has endorsed the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission’s call for a “bold and judicious” overhaul of federal media regulation.

N.B. Premier to speak at Atlantic Council

May 31, 2018
MONCTON – Premier Brian Gallant will deliver a keynote speech at Unifor’s Atlantic Regional Council in Moncton on Friday June 1, 2018.
The annual Council with more than 200 delegates from across the region is meeting between May 31–June 2.
“We are pleased the Premier will address our local union leaders who come from all corners of Atlantic Canada and work in every sector of the economy,” said Lana Payne, Unifor Atlantic Regional Director. Unifor represents more than 35,000 workers in the region, including 7,200 from New Brunswick.

Trucking companies’ case to suppress wages dismissed

May 30, 2018

VANCOUVER—The B.C. Court of Appeal has dismissed two container trucking companies’ challenge to the Container Trucking Act.

“Corporate greed loses again,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Unifor worked closely with both levels of governments to arrive at a fair system that levels the playing field for all trucking companies—but not all companies want to play fair.”