VANCOUVER—Unifor is temporarily withdrawing its applications to the B.C. Labour Relations Board (BCLRB) to represent workers at two Amazon fulfilment centres in Metro Vancouver due to a suspiciously high number of reported employees.
WINNIPEG—Unifor Local 144 members at Griffin Wheel – a Winnipeg foundry that produces train wheels – have ratified a new four-year contract, ending a 19-day lockout.
ST. JOHN’S–Unifor reached a tentative agreement with Loblaw-owned Dominion stores in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Details of the tentative agreement will first be shared with Dominion members of Unifor Local 597 in a series of ratification meetings to be scheduled in the coming days.
Unifor represents more than 1,600 Dominion grocery workers at 11 stores across the island of Newfoundland.
OTTAWA – In his appearance before the House of Commons Heritage Committee, Bell CEO Mirko Bibic failed to justify cutting thousands of jobs while Bell Canada Enterprises Inc. (BCE) increased their dividends to a record-high $3.7 billion in 2023.
VANCOUVER—The campaign for workers at Amazon facilities in Metro Vancouver to form a union has reached a pivotal stage today after Unifor filed two applications to the B.C. Labour Relations Board (BCLRB).
“Workers at Amazon are seeking job security, better health and safety, and fair wages,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Forming a democratic union in their workplace is the path to improved conditions of work.”
VICTORIA—More than fifty Unifor members from across the province participated in meetings during April 2–4 with MLAs from their regions and cabinet ministers overseeing key economic sectors.
“This was a great opportunity to directly communicate the ideas and concerns of working people with the very decision-makers who update B.C.’s laws and regulations to improve working conditions for all,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director. “Lobby meetings are an important tool in our broader approach to affecting change for workers.”
TORONTO—Unifor calls on Ford Motor Company to consider all possible options to mitigate the negative impact on workers following the announced substantial delay in the launch of EV production at the Oakville Assembly Plant.
HALIFAX— Unifor members at CN Autoport have ratified a three-year collective agreement, ending a 37-day strike at the transshipment facility in Eastern Passage, N.S.
SYDNEY, N.S.—Unifor has filed for conciliation on behalf of Marine Atlantic workers represented by Locals 4285 and 4286 after the employer has demonstrated an unwillingness to bargain by delaying meaningful negotiations.
HALIFAX–Unifor and CN Autoport reached a tentative agreement today, after the conciliator invited the union back to the negotiating table at the company’s request.
Details will be shared with Autoport members first at meetings scheduled for tomorrow, April 3, 2024, where members will vote on the tentative agreement.
Picket lines at the Autoport in Eastern Passage will remain active until a collective agreement is ratified.
TORONTO— The bargaining committee representing members of Expertech, a wholly owned Bell Canada Enterprises Inc. company, is gearing up for a crucial strike vote, signaling the potential for imminent strike action. Following months of negotiation and the intervention of conciliation, Bell Expertech has yet to present a substantive monetary offer or commit to limit outsourcing to third-party contractors rather than investing in its own workforce.
WINNIPEG – Unifor members who work at Griffin Wheel, a foundry that manufactures train wheels in Winnipeg, went on strike this morning at 9 a.m., after the company’s latest offer would erode pensions, seniority rights and work-life balance issues.
SYDNEY, N.S.—Unifor Local 1971 members at Sobeys in Sydney, Nova Scotia, have filed for conciliation after a week of negotiations left the parties miles apart.
WINNIPEG—Manitoba workers and their families are paying the price after key legislation was blocked this week by the PC caucus.
“The Wab Kinew government has a clear mandate from voters to build an economy on good jobs and fair pay. By blocking key employment reforms, the PC caucus has reminded voters why the PCs aren’t fit to govern,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “We call on the Manitoba PCs to stop playing games and let the Premier get to work on the agenda he was democratically elected to implement.”
TORONTO – Hundreds of Unifor Bell telecommunications members are being terminated on virtual group meetings today, just a day after Unifor rallied in Ottawa to call out Bell Canada Enterprises Inc. (BCE) for cutting thousands of jobs across the country while continuing to rake in profits and increase payouts to shareholders.
HALIFAX—CN Autoport and Unifor met with a conciliator today, however the union was left with no choice but to leave the table following repeated offers from the company that represented a worse deal for members than the last agreement, which they soundly rejected.
HALIFAX—The introduction of Nova Scotia NDP legislation to amend the Trade Union Act to protect workers on strike from their employer using replacement, or scab, workers is another important step toward more fair and free collective bargaining.
OTTAWA –Unifor rallied in Ottawa today to call out Bell Canada Enterprises Inc. (BCE) for postponing a scheduled hearing before the House of Commons Heritage Committee to answer for the recent termination of 9% of BCE’s workforce.
OTTAWA— On Tuesday March 19, Unifor will hold a media conference followed by a Bell worker rally prior to the testimony of Bell executives before the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage.
WINNIPEG—A CN train was safely stopped during a solidarity action by Unifor members in Winnipeg this evening as part of an escalation caused by the company’s use of scab labour in Halifax.
“CN cannot escape the spotlight. The shameful behaviour by CN Autoport in Halifax will be met with resistance across our union,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “CN can expect more unscheduled disruption from coast-to-coast if it continues strike-busting tactics.”
VICTORIA—Rank-and-file forestry workers, union leaders, policymakers, and researchers gathered to hash out solutions to the crisis facing British Columbia’s forestry industry during a policy summit on March 12 in Victoria.
The summit, jointly hosted by Unifor, the United Steelworkers union (USW), and the Public and Private Workers of Canada (PPWC), was an unprecedented gathering of workers who have experienced firsthand the many mill closures and related job losses in an industry that was once world-renowned.
ST. JOHN’S –Unifor is deeply concerned after Atlantic newspaper owner SaltWire Network Inc. filed for creditor protection yesterday. In addition, a private equity fund has alleged the company owes it roughly $33 million after years of mismanagement out of its $94 million total debt load.
VICTORIA, B.C. – While communities across the province are grappling with the aftermath of mill closures, fibre supply shortages, issues related to old growth, and more, B.C.’s three major forestry unions are joining together to hold an unprecedented summit on Tuesday in Victoria.
NORTH BAY – Unifor Local 103 representing workers at Ontario Northland have reached a tentative agreement.
"Entering negotiations, we had one goal in mind: to negotiate an agreement that shows the true value of our members, and we believe this tentative agreement does exactly that," said Jeremy Rodgers, President of Unifor Local 103. "We would not have been able to negotiate this agreement without the solidarity and support of our membership."
NORTH BAY - Workers at Ontario Northland are heading towards a strike deadline with a strong mandate for action, echoing a commitment to secure a fair collective agreement.
“Despite the challenges, our members have remained steadfast, demonstrating their resilience and determination to fight for what is just,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “It’s disheartening to see the disparity between the treatment of our hardworking members and the executive level’s payout.”
WINDSOR – The 317 members of Unifor Local 195 employed by Jamieson have ratified a new collective agreement, ending a 34-day strike.
“Congratulations to the bargaining committee for holding steady during some difficult negotiations and fighting for a contract their members could support,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
“As well, my sincere thanks to our members and their families, for showing up on the picket line, day in and day out, remaining strong in your resolve and solidarity.”
