A Unifor delegation recently visited the Dominican Republic to support the international organization Banana Link, and their project aimed at improving the conditions of Haitian migrant workers in the banana production sector.
RED DEER, AB – Members of Unifor Local 21-A at GATX Rail Canada in Red Deer, Alberta, have ratified a new four-year collective agreement with the company.
"This agreement reflects Unifor’s unwavering commitment to improving the lives of our members," said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. "The wage increases, enhanced benefits, and improved pensions are a testament to the strength and solidarity of our union."
KANATA, ONT.—After 75 days on the picket line, Unifor members at Best Theratronics delivered a stern and powerful message to their employer: Get back to the bargaining table and negotiate a fair deal.
Members of Unifor Local 21-A at GATX Rail Canada in Red Deer, Alberta, have ratified a new four-year collective agreement with the company with 93% support of the membership during voting on Friday, July 12.
The new agreement brings significant improvements to wages, benefits, and working conditions, reflecting the strong efforts and commitment of the bargaining committee. The contract highlights are as follows:
KANATA, ONT.—Unifor and the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) will hold a solidarity rally on July 15 at the Best Theratronics Kanata facility, after Unifor members have remained steady on the picket line for 75 days, without any resolution in sight.
Unifor hosted a successful members appreciation BBQ during the Calgary Stampede on July 10, 2024. The event, held to thank union members for their hard work and dedication, saw a fantastic turnout despite the heat, with members and their families enjoying food, music, and solidarity under the summer sun.
EDMONTON—Wage increases and a plan to move the Scotford refinery’s contract more in line with the Unifor Energy Bargaining Program are highlights of a four-year collective agreement ratified by Local 530-A members.
“I want to congratulate our members on standing up to a powerful employer and getting an incredible contract,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Achieving these gains was only possible because our members stood shoulder to shoulder to achieve fairness, and move all energy workers forward.”
A message from National President Lana Payne on 44 members on strike since May 1 at Best Theratronics – a medical manufacturing plant in Kanata,Ontario where they make equipment used in cancer treatments.
This is their first labour dispute.
They were at the end of their rope. Let me tell you why.
MISSISSAUGA—Unifor members at Bombardier ratified a new three-year collective agreement today bringing an end to an 18-day strike at the company’s aircraft manufacturing facilities in Mississauga and Waterloo.
WINNIPEG—The public sector wage pattern and several benefits enhancements are highlights of the collective agreement ratified by members of Unifor Local 681.
“Unifor members at Manitoba Hydro Utility Services have worked hard to win a fair contract with the employer,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Congratulations to the bargaining committee and the membership for staying strong and bargaining tough.”
Unifor members in the Local 2000 Printing Industry Health and Welfare Plan made two donations earlier this year, benefitting a children’s hospice and local food bank, in wake of the closing trust.
“Unifor commends Local 2000 for their generosity that benefits the province and communities across the B.C. region,” said Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle. “Our union isn’t only about fighting for workers, but supporting the important charities and programs that are part of the social fabric.”
VANCOUVER—Significant wage increases and a reduction in housekeeping workloads are highlights of a collective agreement ratified by Unifor Local 3000 members at the Coast Coal Harbour Hotel.
“This agreement raises the bar in the hospitality industry for all hotel workers,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “The bargaining committee could not have achieved these gains without the strength and solidarity from the members on the floor.”
CALGARY–On the first day of the Calgary Stampede, Unifor is holding a rally at Calgary International Airport on July 5 to shine a spotlight on Paladin, after the security company’s refusal to provide bathroom breaks and water to workers.
“Access to water and washrooms are the most basic of asks in a workplace,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
CALGARY—Unifor Local 2002 members and supporters at Calgary International Airport will rally on Friday, July 5 at noon to protest human rights violations by Paladin Security, which has prevented workers from accessing bathroom breaks and water.
“When a company prevents workers from rest breaks and hydration, it is both a human rights and a health and safety issue,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
Unifor and the Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union (FFAW) is urging the public to support fish harvesters in Newfoundland and Labrador, who are calling for the federal government to reverse its decision to reopen the northern cod commercial fishery to the offshore companies and return instead to the stewardship fishery.
“The federal government needs to exercise responsibility and reinstate the Northern Cod Stewardship Fishery to ensure that the resource continues to rebuild and be protected for generations to come,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
DARTMOUTH – Union representatives have met with representatives from Nova Scotia Health on 13 separate occasions in an attempt to conclude an essential services agreement for the Health Care bargaining unit. Despite the unions’ best efforts, the employer has failed to produce a complete staffing plan to facilitate the process.
“We all know that community, regional and national news publishers have been facing and struggling with declining ad sales,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
TORONTO — Today, Premier Doug Ford and Unifor National President Lana Payne issued the following joint statement on the need for the federal government to invest in jobs in Thunder Bay:
“To protect production, good union jobs and maintain servicing capacity of subway trains in Thunder Bay, we are calling on the federal government to step forward with its share of funding for replacement subway trains for the TTC’s Line 2.
Unifor members at Bombardier voted to reject a tentative agreement today.
As a result, strike action will continue at the company’s Aircraft Assembly Centre at Pearson International Airport and pre-flight operations facility at Waterloo Regional Airport.
TORONTO – Unifor is deeply concerned and outraged that Bell Media has once again announced restructuring plans, this time, giving notice to close to 50 Unifor media workers.
“This is a corporation that has made billions of profits at the end of last year and they continue to carry on with their profit-over-people principle,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
“This is yet another blow to journalism and democracy and a step towards bigger swaths of news deserts across Canada.”
Unifor representatives attended the 40th anniversary memorial of the tragedy at the Falconbridge mine in Sudbury, Ontario and presented Mine Mill Local 598 with a special award to honour their commitment to health and safety.
VANCOUVER—Unifor Local 3000 members have voted 98% in favour of strike action after contract negotiations broke off this month.
“Over the term of the last contract, inflation was the highest we’ve seen in four decades,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “At the same time, we know the hospitality industry has bounced back to pre-COVID levels and is making more money than ever.”
On Monday, June 24, Unifor National President Lana Payne joined workers, politicians and auto industry representatives for the federal government’s announcement of a 30-day consultation on potential policy response to guard against unfair Chinese electric vehicle imports.
Launching July 2, the consultations will solicit opinions on how best to prevent dumping and other unfair practices by EV manufacturers in China that threaten Canadian auto and auto parts jobs across the country.
On National Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Mi’kmaq lawyer, professor and activist Pam Palmater joined Unifor Indigenous Liaison Gina Smoke to lead a webinar introducing the diverse traditions and protocols used by Indigenous communities.
“There is a rich diversity of cultures and traditions across Turtle Island,” said Smoke. “We want to help members appreciate that there is not one monolithic ‘First Nation,’ but thousands with their own histories and enduring practices.”
The work of Unifor women members in Ontario received special recognition at two separate events for their work to raise awareness on issues of intimate partner violence (IPV), and for their outstanding grassroots work advocating for women’s rights, social justice and the environment.
During yesterday’s negotiations with Bombardier, the company presented a final offer to the union. The bargaining committees reviewed the proposal, deemed it insufficient and ultimately rejected the final offer.
As a result, the strike at the Bombardier facility will continue.
Both parties remain apart on key union priorities. However, specific details of the negotiations will not be made public to protect the integrity of the bargaining process.
The Government of Canada has responded to the petition concerning the future of VIA Rail and the development of the High-Frequency Rail (HFR) project. This response is a welcome step forward, largely due to the thousands of people who have signed the Get Canada Back On Track petition and engaged with our campaign.
Today, 1,350 Unifor Local 112 and 673 members at Bombardier are on strike after the union and company did not reach an agreement by an 11:59 p.m. strike deadline on Saturday.
The union’s bargaining committee members are working towards an agreement and both parties remain committed to continuing the bargaining process.
Negotiations between Unifor and Bombardier continued throughout last night and into late this morning. Both parties agreed to resume negotiations early tomorrow morning.
Further updates will be provided to Unifor members as the situation develops.
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