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Outages continue at coast guard stations during busiest month

PRINCE RUPERT. BC, Aug. 18, 2015 /CNW/ - The Marine Traffic and Communication Services (MTCS) centre in Prince Rupert experienced another outage last night. The affected area included the entire west coast of Vancouver Island—the area once monitored by MTCS base in Ucluelet closed by the Harper Conservatives in April this year.

Locked out Airport taxi drivers stage rally

OTTAWA, Aug. 17, 2015 /CNW/ - Ottawa taxi drivers serving the airport will be staging a slow-moving protest this afternoon as part of their dispute with the airport authority over fees.

"These people work 15-16 hours a day to eke out a living," said Harry Ghadban, a National Representative with Unifor, which represents the drivers.

Free cab rides at Ottawa airport

OTTAWA, Aug. 12, 2015 /CNW/ - Unifor Local 1688, representing Ottawa taxi drivers, is offering free rides from the Ottawa Airport today for the elderly and families with children, as a dispute with the airport authority over a jump in dispatch fees continues.

"This is not a dispute between us and the public. This dispute is between us and the airport authority, and the company," said Unifor National Representative Harry Ghadban.

Ottawa airport taxi drivers locked out

OTTAWA, Aug. 11, 2015 /CNW/ - Taxi drivers serving passengers at the Ottawa Airport have been locked out, despite a commitment by the drivers to continue serving customers during their current dispute with the company.

"We had set up a job action that affected the employer, while continuing to provide a vital service to the public," said Unifor National Representative Harry Ghadban.

ORPP needs to mirror the CPP: Unifor

TORONTO, Aug. 11, 2015 /CNW/ - While it is a positive step that the Ontario government is moving ahead with pensions for the two-thirds of Ontarians with no workplace pension, it is disappointing that there will be so many exemptions to the new provincial plan, Unifor says.

Unifor files in court to seek wages owed to container truck drivers

VANCOUVER, Aug. 4, 2015 /CNW/ - Unifor is asking a provincial judge to direct the Container Trucking Commissioner to enforce the wages owed to container truck drivers as part of the March 2014 Joint Action Plan. The Plan was signed by Premier Christy Clark, representatives for federal Minister of Transportation Lisa Raitt, and Jerry Dias from Unifor.

Crass politicking threatens Ontarians' retirement security: Unifor

TORONTO, July 30, 2015 /CNW/ - Unifor is reiterating its call on the Conservative government to support the creation of a provincial pension plan.

"Prime Minister Harper's refusal to enter a service agreement to support the implementation of the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan (ORPP) is undermining the retirement security and democratic will of the people of Ontario," said Ontario Regional Director Katha Fortier.

Paper Excellence mill closure will hurt Sunshine Coast communities

PORT MELLON, BC, July 23, 2015 /CNW/ - The unexpected closure of the paper production operations at the Howe Sound Mill owned by Paper Excellence could cost more than 130 jobs, says Unifor Local 1119.

"The announcement was a shock to us all," said Unifor Local 1119 President Don Rheaume. "We're very disappointed and will work hard to help our members who are displaced by the closure."

Unifor members at AT Films ratify new collective agreement

EDMONTON, July 19, 2015 /CNW/ - Job action at AT Films ended today with the ratification of a new collective agreement by members of Unifor 21-A. Unifor members initiated strike action earlier this week after bargaining reached an impasse.

"Our members work hard and deserve job security and reliable benefits," said Mike Kapalka, Unifor Local 21-A President. "This new agreement accomplishes our goals."

Unifor Metro grocery store workers make huge gains at the bargaining table

TORONTO, July 17, 2015 /CNW/ - Members of Unifor Local 414 working at 28 Metro grocery stores across the GTA have voted in favour of a new industry-leading collective agreement for supermarket workers. The deal includes wage increases across the board, an innovative new wage scale for part-time workers, improvements to scheduling practices, the creation of new full-time positions and other gains.

Job action begins at AT Films

EDMONTON, July 16, 2015 /CNW/ - Nearly 50 Unifor Local 21-A members at AT Films went on strike at 3 p.m. today over the company's refusal to take concessions off the table and explicitly include all benefits within the collective agreement.

"Unifor members are critical to the success of AT Films, and the collective agreement should reflect that," said Unifor Local 21-A President Mike Kapalka. "Our members deserve fairness."

Unifor Local 21-A serves strike notice at AT Films

EDMONTON, July 14, 2015 /CNW/ - Unless a deal is reached by July 16 at 3 p.m., members of Unifor Local 21-A will be on strike at AT Films Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of British Polythene Industries. Collective bargaining has been at impasse since early June.

Unifor Metro grocery store workers reach tentative agreement

TORONTO, July 10, 2015 /CNW/ - Unifor local 414 has reached a tentative agreement with Metro grocery stores, avoiding a work stoppage that could have begun as early as Sunday morning. The unit includes roughly 4000 workers at 28 stores across the GTA.

/R E P E A T -- Jerry Dias to speak at Climate Summit/

TORONTO, July 8, 2015 /CNW/ - The National President of the union representing auto, oil and gas and transportation workers across Canada will participate in a panel on transportation issues during this week's Climate Summit of the Americas.

"Canadians care about the environment, and I look forward to being part of the discussion about how to protect it and create jobs doing that," said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.

Jerry Dias to speak at Climate Summit

TORONTO, July 8, 2015 /CNW/ - The National President of the union representing auto, oil and gas and transportation workers across Canada will participate in a panel on transportation issues during this week's Climate Summit of the Americas.

"Canadians care about the environment, and I look forward to being part of the discussion about how to protect it and create jobs doing that," said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.

Good jobs restored in Northern BC with pulp mill re-opening

CHETWYND, BC, July 7, 2015 /CNW/ - Over one hundred good jobs in Chetwynd have been created by the re-opening of the pulp mill that was closed in July 2012.

Paper Excellence Canada Holding Corporation (PE) purchased the mill from Tembec in 2014 and has been undertaking maintenance to restore operations.

Ontario Court dismisses Navistar challenge

TORONTO, July 7, 2015 /CNW/ - A recent unanimous decision by the Divisional Court of Ontario puts former workers at a Navistar plant in Southwestern Ontario significantly closer to getting the pension money they are owed, their union says.

Armoured car crew was right to refuse unsafe work: ruling

OTTAWA, July 3, 2015 /CNW/ - Unifor is applauding a ruling this afternoon that a two-person armoured car crew was justified in refusing work due to working conditions that were unsafe for the workers and the general public.

"This is a very important ruling that backs up what Unifor has been saying. Two-person crews are unsafe for both the crew members, and for the public," Unifor Staff Representative Mike Armstrong said.

Media Advisory: Vancouver Action for Jobs, Justice & the Climate

VANCOUVER, July 2, 2015 /CNW/ -

What: Residents of the GVRD will join communities across Canada for a nation-wide, cross-sectorial day of action for Jobs, Justice, and the Climate to show our leaders we as a collective demand climate action now.

When: Saturday July 4th1:00-3:30pm PST

Bombardier workers ratify collective agreements

TORONTO, June 28, 2015 /CNW/ - Members of two Unifor locals working at Bombardier Aerospace in Downsview ratified new collective agreements with the company this morning, enhancing their pensions and job security.

"This deal represents a significant gain for our members in a difficult time for the business jet market," said Scott McIlmoyle, President of Unifor Local 112.

Air Canada service agents ratify new collective agreement

TORONTO, June 25, 2015 /CNW/ - Members of Unifor Local 2002, representing over 4,000 Customer Service and Sales Representatives, have ratified a new five-year collective agreement with Air Canada.

"Our members deserve to share in Air Canada's record profits," said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. "This agreement secures good jobs for Customer Sales and Service Agents now and into the future."

Unifor locals reach deals with Bombardier

TORONTO, June 24, 2015 /CNW/ - Two Unifor locals working at the Bombardier Aerospace plant in Downsview have reached new collective agreements with the company, to be sent for ratification on Sunday.

BC coast guard station experiences another outage

VICTORIA, June 23, 2015 /CNW/ - The Marine Traffic and Communication Services (MTCS) centre in Victoria has experienced an outage that affected its ability to regulate shipping movements and answer distress calls. The affected area includes Vancouver, Howe Sound, and the Strait of Georgia.