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Trans Day of Remembrance

Unifor unites with a growing movement around the world in acknowledging November 20 as the Trans Day of Remembrance (TDOR). November 20 is a day of mourning, as our union comes together to recognize those whose lives have been taken due to anti-trans violence.

We mourn the lives lost and stand alongside trans members and their families as they seek to live with the dignity, safety and freedom that we all need and deserve.

Trans rights are human rights. No person should be subject to discrimination, intimidation or violence because of their gender expression or identity.

MEDIA ADVISORY: CN Drivers protest unsanitary washrooms and unsafe working conditions

Members of Unifor Local 4003 who drive trucks to transport containers for Canadian National Transportation Limited are holding an information picket protesting unacceptable working conditions at the Brampton rail yard.

“This protest is about access to sanitary washrooms and respect in the workplace,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Our members have had enough and are taking a stand against this employer.”

Unifor denounces Ford cuts to Francophone services

November 19, 2018

TORONTO – Unifor denounces cuts to Francophone services, after confirmation that Premier Doug Ford will stand by his government’s decision to abolish the Office of the French Language Services Commissioner and cancel plans to build a Francophone university.

Unifor deeply opposes Ontario PC vote to deny the existence of trans people

November 19, 2018

TORONTO – Unifor expresses grave concern following a vote by members of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party voicing support for the removal of gender identity from Ontario’s sex-ed curriculum.

“This shameful resolution shows that Doug Ford would rather appease a small faction of his party than uphold the human rights of trans students in Ontario,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “Ford’s Government has already enacted this transphobia by repealing comprehensive sex-ed.”

More gains for Unifor hotel workers as fifth group ratifies agreement

November 16, 2018

TORONTO—Unifor members at the Delta Hotels Toronto Airport & Conference Centre are the fifth Local 7575 unit to negotiate significant improvements this fall.

“We are making significant progress turning more precarious casual and part-time jobs into full-time jobs,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Now that Doug Ford is stripping workers of basic rights, creating secure full-time work in Ontario’s hospitality industry is even more important.”

Ford Government fall economic statements fails to lift workers

TORONTO – The Progressive Conservative’s fall economic update is a clear signal that austerity measures are coming to Ontario.

“Doug Ford’s economic plan won’t lift Ontario working families out of poverty, it will take them back to the days of Mike Harris,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “Like Harris, Doug Ford is hiding austerity measures under the guise of efficiencies.”

Council of Nursing Unions to Defer Outstanding Issues to Arbitrator

The Nova Scotia Council of Nursing Unions (NSNU, NSGEU, CUPE and Unifor) and the Employer group have completed collective bargaining and are referring all remaining matters in dispute to Arbitrator William Kaplan. Mr. Kaplan was named as mediator-arbitrator for all Acute Care, collective agreements in an agreement that was ratified by a large majority of workers in May of this year.

Unifor statement: Province must take leadership in Northern Pulp situation

November 28, 2018

Unifor meets with NS Minister of Natural Resources

Atlantic Regional Director Lana Payne, Executive Assistant to the President Scott Doherty and members of Unifor Local 440 from Northern Pulp travelled to Halifax for a meeting with Nova Scotia Minister of Natural Resources Iain Rankin.

Strike deadline looms at Globe and Mail

November 13, 2018

TORONTO – Unionized workers at The Globe and Mail could be on strike by midnight Wednesday as they seek pension protection and an end to a pay gap between male and female employees.

“There is no excuse for a pay gap between women and men at a newspaper that considers itself Canada’s paper of record,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor’s National President.

Building solidarity across borders

More than 140 union leaders and activists from several countries gathered for the first ever North American Solidarity Project Conference.

Building solidarity across borders

More than 140 union leaders and activists from several countries gathered for the first ever North American Solidarity Project Conference at Unifor’s family education centre this weekend.

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Purina closure will cost community nearly 90 good jobs

November 9, 2018

MISSISSAUGA—Nestlé’s subsidiary Purina will force at least 87 Canadians out of work when the GTA pet food manufacturer moves operations to the United States in 2019.

“There’s no reason for Nestlé to close this facility,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Generations of Canadians have worked at Purina since 1967 and now politics is forcing people out of work.”

Purina closure will cost community nearly 90 good jobs

Nestlé’s subsidiary Purina will force at least 87 Canadians out of work when the GTA pet food manufacturer moves operations to the United States in 2019.

“There’s no reason for Nestlé to close this facility,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Generations of Canadians have worked at Purina since 1967 and now politics is forcing people out of work.”

Bombardier’s Q3 announcements leave workers in the dark

November 8, 2018

TORONTO- Unifor members at Bombardier were left in the dark when the Company announced plans to cut 5000 jobs globally. Bombardier also announced the sales of its Q Series turboprop aircraft program and business aircraft flight and technical training units. 

“Today’s announcement came as a complete shock,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Bombardier has backtracked on commitments made during bargaining. This sends a troubling message to aerospace workers.”

Ontario workers fight back

The conservative government of Ontario is levelling its first major attack on workers through Bill 47. But Unifor members are showing that the rights