TORONTO – Unifor warns that rushed debate on the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) legislation hurts Canada’s trade position at a crucial point in NAFTA negotiations.
TORONTO—Unifor Local 7575 members at the Toronto Marriott Bloor Yorkville have voted overwhelmingly to ratify a path-breaking collective agreement, with significant economic gains and breakthroughs in job security and workload protections.
“We believe this is the first time in Ontario that a collective agreement has fully protected room attendants’ work from sham ‘green’ programs at a Marriott property,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.
TORONTO – More than 800 workers at Toronto’s iconic Fairmont Royal York voted today on whether to switch unions and join Unifor, following a ruling from the labour board last week ordering the vote.
“These workers are finally getting the democratic choice they deserve to belong to a union of their own choosing,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.
ST. JOHN’S - Unifor National President Jerry Dias is again reaching out to Premier Dwight Ball to meet concerning the 631-day lockout of 30 aerospace workers in Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador.
Dias called the Premier’s office today.
It is the fourth request from Unifor for a meeting with the Premier whose media statements about the lockout this week clearly indicate he doesn’t understand what is at play in this dispute that is likely the longest lockout in the province’s labour history.
GANDER – Unifor will host a major rally in Gander, Newfoundland, marking the 92rd week of a difficult lockout by D-J Composites.
“This callous lockout has been dragged on for far too long by this union-busting employer and a shamefully complacent provincial government,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “If you believe that workers deserve to be treated fairly by their bosses and that governments should support working people - then I’ll see you at our rally in Gander on September 26.”
TORONTO – A tentative agreement has been reached between Unifor Local 7575 and the Toronto Marriott Bloor Yorkville, averting a strike.
“We are pleased that the bargaining committee has reached an agreement they will recommend to members that if ratified, will avoid any inconvenience to hotel guests and the public during the Toronto International Film Festival,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor’s National President.
OSHAWA – As key issues are negotiated at the ongoing NAFTA talks and debate is set to begin on the CPTPP, Unifor invites community members and the media to the Oshawa People’s Trade Town Hall.
“Amid all the drama and brinkmanship it’s vital that workers’ interests are brought to the table and incorporated into any new agreement,” said Colin James, President of Unifor Local 222, representing GM Oshawa workers. “For too long international trade deals have benefited corporations and not people.”
September 5, 2018 HALIFAX - Unifor welcomes the establishment of an expert advisory panel on Nova Scotia’s long-term care system. “The system is under-funded. Workers, most of whom are women, earn low to modest wages. The funding cuts by the McNeil government have made it harder for a system that was already challenged to deliver high quality care,” said Lana Payne, Unifor’s Atlantic Regional Director. “Workers are stressed to the max, working short staffed, and worried about their patients and residents, most of whom are seniors.”
The federal government’s plans to modernize labour standards in the federal jurisdiction can’t happen fast enough says Unifor, after a report on government consultations was released today.
TORONTO- – There is no excuse for any shortage of school bus drivers when classes start next week, as some Ontario school boards are already warning could happen, Unifor says.
“It can’t really be a surprise to anyone that if you pay someone poorly, make them work for free and flip their contracts every few years, that you then have trouble recruiting and keeping employees,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.
“When drivers are paid fairly, they stick around. It’s not that complicated.”
TORONTO- Unifor, the union representing employees at Aeroplan and customer sales and service agents at Air Canada has reached out to the businesses after an announcement that Aeroplan will be purchased by a consortium of companies.
Unifor Local 2002 represents 450 members who work at Aeroplan in British Columbia and Quebec, as well as 4,600 members who work at Air Canada call centres and customer sales and service agents at 9 airports across the country.
Yesterday, the federal government announced $189 million in funding to extend employment insurance coverage for seasonal workers. This news is a victory for processing workers and FFAW-Unifor, who fought hard for these changes.
HALIFAX- Unifor donated $80,000 to the Mi'Kmaw Friendship Centre through a fundraiser and Canadian Community Fund.
The union also pledged that members who work in the skilled trades would donate their skills to help in the hard work of building a vibrant community centre.
HALIFAX—Renowned advocate for social justice Jean Augustine is the recipient of the 2018 Nelson Mandela Award, presented today at Unifor’s Canada Council in Halifax.
“I’m excited to recognize the Honourable Jean Augustine for her important contributions in the struggle for human rights,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Canada is a better place because of activists like Ms. Augustine.”
HALIFAX - Unifor will celebrate five years of activism at the union’s Canadian Council, taking place August 17-19 at the Halifax Convention Centre, 1650 Argyle Street.
“In five short years Unifor members have made their mark in every region of the country,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “I’m incredibly proud of the achievements made in advancing the labour movement and in moving the dial on both political and social policies.”
THUNDER BAY – After 129 days on the picket line, a collective agreement and a return to work agreement have been reached to end the strike at the Port Arthur Health Centre.
“This has been four difficult months and I have great admiration for the 65 women who stood strong and showed such resilience in their efforts to get the employer back to the table,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.
Mediator / Arbitrator William Kaplan awarded union members in the Health Care Bargaining Unit an increase in shift and weekend premiums.
Health Care Bargaining Unit members were awarded a 50 cent per hour increase to their current hourly premium rate. These premiums are added compensation earned when employees are assigned to work on evenings, overnights or weekends.
August 14, 2018 THUNDER BAY –Unifor Local 229 has reached a tentative agreement with doctors at the Port Arthur Health Centre that if ratified, would end a 128 day strike. “We have repeatedly said that the employer just needed to sit down and bargain and I am so proud of these 65 incredible women for their resolve over the last four months,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. A ratification vote will be held this evening. The PAHC board will then have to approve the agreement that was reached after just one day back at the bargaining table.
ANTIGONISH– Unifor members at three East Coast Credit Union (ECCU) branches in Nova Scotia voted 97 per cent to ratify a new collective agreement.
“I am so proud of the bargaining committee for their strength and solidarity to stand up for members’ pension benefits that were gained over many years at the bargaining table,” said Lana Payne, Atlantic Regional Director.
Unifor Local 2107 represents 44 full and part time workers, mostly women, in Antigonish, New Glasgow and St. Andrews.
THUNDER BAY – Unifor local 229 is pleased that the board of the Port Arthur Heath Care Centre has agreed to return to the bargaining table tomorrow.
"We are looking forward to sitting down to engage in a constructive dialogue and hope to reach an agreement that meets the needs of both parties and puts an end to a labour dispute that is entering its 19th week,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.
THUNDER BAY – Unifor is optimistic bargaining will resume next week to end a 124 day long strike after Unifor ended a brief disruption of services at the Port Arthur Health Centre.
“All we have wanted to do for 19 weeks is to sit down and bargain a fair agreement with the doctors who own the centre and we hope they will seize this opportunity,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.
Unifor Local 229 represents 65 women who work as appointment secretaries, medical aides and in medical records at the centre.
August 9, 2018 THUNDER BAY – Unifor has presented an offer to the Port Arthur Health Centre to settle the 124 day long strike by 65 women, members of Unifor Local 229. “This offer is fair to both sides, and more importantly would pave the way to quickly reopen the health centre so patients can get the health care they need,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “All we need now is for the doctors to return the table and negotiate a final agreement.”
GANDER - Union members from across Atlantic Canada showed solidarity with Local 597 members at D-J Composites today to mark the 597th day of a shameful lock out.
“The workers of D-J Composites have shown remarkable strength and resolve in the 19 months since they were locked out by their employer,” said FFAW-Unifor President Keith Sullivan at the rally. “This situation has exposed the complete inadequacy of our province’s labour laws when it comes to protecting the rights of workers when employers decide to trample on those rights.”
THUNDER BAY - After 121 days on a picket line, 65 workers at the Port Arthur Health Centre are taking a stand against an employer who refuses to negotiate. “The doctors who own this Centre have repeatedly refused to return to negotiations for more than four months now. Enough is enough,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “We gave plenty of notice that if they did not come back to bargaining, we would shut the clinic down, unfortunately that means disrupting service to patients.”
GANDER - Members of Unifor Local 597 will mark the 597th day since their American-based employer locked them out, with a community barbecue in Gander.
“If this province had stronger labour laws, D-J Composites would never get away with its shameful union busting and would have to instead negotiate fairly,” said Lana Payne, Atlantic Regional Director.
Just days before Christmas in 2016, Kansas State based company, D-J Composites, locked-out 31 workers at the aerospace manufacturing facility in Gander.
THUNDER BAY – The wealthy doctors who own the Port Arthur Health Centre have once again refused to return to the bargaining table while 65 workers are about to spend an 18th week on a picket line.
ANTIGONISH N.S. – The bargaining committee for Unifor Local 2107 has reached a tentative agreement with East Coast Credit Union, averting a strike at three branches in Nova Scotia.
While the union and the employer were in a legal strike/lock-out position as of today, members will now vote on this tentative agreement, which is being recommended unanimously by the bargaining team lead by Unifor’s chief negotiator, Linda McNeil.
No details will be released until the tentative agreement is presented in detail to the members.
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