December 10, 2019 TORONTO – Unifor is encouraged by announced amendments to the CUSMA, which clear the path to ratification of a deal to replace the damaging NAFTA trade agreement. “NAFTA has been a train-wreck of a trade deal for 25 years, causing great harm to Canada’s manufacturing industries and the rights of workers,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “The new CUSMA, while far from perfect, provides a road map to implement necessary changes in trade policy to benefit workers.
REGINA—The Regina Police Service (RPS) has supported Co-op Refinery’s anti-union mandate by escorting vehicles through legal picket lines late Monday night, says Unifor.
“By intervening without a court order, RPS has shown not only highly questionable judgement, but also contempt for the highly-skilled workers fighting back against the company’s aggressive demand for concessions,” says Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Unifor members have kept the picket lines rock solid and respectful.”
The Unifor Council 4000 VIA bargaining committee met with VIA Rail December 3-5 in Montreal to continue negotiations on the renewal of Collective Agreements No. 1 and 2.
Talks focused on part-time workers, including the Union’s position that the Corporation is misusing the intent of part-time provisions in the collective agreements.
Bargaining for Council 4000 will recommence sometime in late January or early February. You will be notified of future dates once those are agreed upon with the Company.
December 07, 2019 TORONTO – In a show of solidarity for education workers, Harvey Bischof, OSSTF President, Sam Hammond, ETFO President, Liz Stuart, OECTA President and Smokey Thomas, OPSEU President joined Unifor National President Jerry Dias at Unifor’s Ontario Regional Council today. “Together we’re sending a message to Doug Ford that when he picks a fight with one of us, he picks a fight with all of us,” said Dias. “This is personal. It’s personal when they attack our kids.” Hammond echoed the call for workers and unions to join forces.
TORONTO - On Monday December 9, Unifor will release a report titled Caring in Crisis: Ontario’s Long-Term Care PSW Shortage. Unifor commissioned the Ontario Health Coalition to produce report and seek recommendations from all stakeholders, including front line health care workers across Ontario.
REGINA—Hundreds of supporters, union members, and local residents joined a solidarity rally with the 800 members of Unifor Local 594 locked out by Co-op Refinery.
REGINA—Members of Unifor Local 594 and their supporters will send a strong message to Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) and the Co-op Refinery Complex (CRC) to stop the attack on hard-earned pension plans.
“A refinery clearing $3 million a day in profit can easily afford to meet pension obligations to a highly skilled workforce,” said Scott Doherty, lead Unifor negotiator and Executive Assistant to Unifor’s National President.
VANCOUVER—Members of Unifor Locals 111 and 2200 have ratified a new three-year collective agreement with Coast Mountain Bus Company (CMBC) after engaging in strike activity for close to a month.
December 05, 2019 TORONTO – Delegates representing Locals from across the province will mobilize against Doug Ford cuts during Unifor’s Ontario Regional Council, taking place December 6-7, 2019 at the Sheraton Centre, 123 Queen St. W Toronto. On December 6, delegates will commemorate the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women with a march and vigil at Queen’s Park to protest funding cuts to women’s shelters and programs.
ST. JOHN’S, NL – Fish harvesters in Newfoundland and Labrador are ready to move forward following news that FISH-NL has ended their card drive and are dissolving the organization.
When I think back 30 years this week, I think about where we were and the casual sexism and misogyny that seemed to be all around us back in December of 1989.
It’s bewildering to think about how men would cat call the women they worked with or even strangers on the street, egging each other on as if it was some sort of game.
What’s even more astonishing, however, is how little has changed, and how in some ways it has gotten worse.
Unifor members working at Aeroplan ratified a ground-breaking collective agreement that demonstrates that low wages aren’t a necessary feature of work in the service economy.
TORONTO - Unifor welcomes Bombardier’s announcement of a long-term lease agreement with the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) to build the new Global Manufacturing Centre located at Toronto Pearson International Airport.
Unifor’s 168,000 members in Ontario are united behind the support staff and teachers of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) on their one-day strike action, and in their sustained campaign for a fair contract.
REGINA—The Unifor Local 594 bargaining committee served the Co-op Refinery Complex (CRC) strike notice at 430 p.m. as the dispute over choice and protection on pension plans for Co-op Refinery workers could not be resolved.
Montreal, December 1st, 2019 – Since one minute after midnight last night, 1,400 members belonging to Unifor Local 728 have been locked out by their employer.
On December 6 we mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women. This day is marked every year in Canada to remember the 14 women who were killed at École Polytechnique in Montreal on December 6, 1989, and to recognize the continuing struggle for societal equality between women and men.
This year, Unifor commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Montreal Massacre by taking time to reflect on the gender-based violence and harassment that unacceptably continues in our society and to commit to individual and collective actions to make change.
Unifor represents more than 200 workers at Northern Pulp as members of Unifor Local 440. This Kraft pulp mill supports thousands of families across the province as part of a network of intricately inter-dependent forestry jobs.
EDMONTON –Unifor will not participate in a meeting hosted by Alberta’s deputy labour minster tomorrow, calling it a disingenuous attempt at consultation.
“If Jason Kenney thinks Unifor will legitimize this sham process, he is out of touch. His intentions are clear and we will not stand for any attempt to silence the independent voice of workers,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.
Shawn McLeod Deputy Minister of Labour and Immigration Labour Building, 10th Floor 10808 – 99 Avenue Edmonton, AB T5K 0G5
Dear Mr. McLeod,
We acknowledge receipt on November 22, 2019 of your invitation to attend a consultation on Saturday, November 30, 2019 in Edmonton. Your invitation describes this consultation as being about how “to protect workers from being forced to fund political parties and causes”.
HALIFAX – Unifor leadership is expressing its continued support for the Northern Pulp effluent treatment facility (ETF) project currently under review with Nova Scotia Environment (NSE).
