The Unifor National Skilled Trades Council bid farewell to retiring Chairperson Dave Cassidy and welcomed new Chairperson Ken Anderson at the June 7-9 Council in Surrey B.C.
Sault Ste. Marie – Paramedics represented by Unifor Local 1359 are rejecting arbitration and urging the District of Sault Ste. Marie Social Services Administration Board (DSSMSSAB) to return to the bargaining table to negotiate a fair deal.
WINNIPEG—Manitoba Hydro Utility Service’s management’s refusal to grant the public sector pattern wage increases has led to an overwhelming strike vote at Unifor Local 681.
“If Manitoba Hydro intends to widen compensation gaps within its workforce, we’re going to have a problem,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Local 681 members will have the support of Unifor members from coast to coast as they pursue a fair contract.”
Mzwandile Poncana’s fellowship at the University of Toronto’s Investigative Journalism Bureau (IBJ), which Unifor has supported with funding, paved the way for a bright summer internship at the award-winning digital magazine, The Local.
“Unifor is proud to invest in the next generation of journalists by investing in the IBJ,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “As we know, journalism is the backbone of democracy and investments in local news to provide quality, fact-based journalism can only benefit Canadian society.”
TORONTO—Enbridge Gas’ proposal to eliminate the evening and overnight emergency response shift will jeopardize the lives of customers and nearby residents, says Unifor.
“The disregard for public safety is breath-taking,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “If the company does not have enough workers to fulfil critical emergency roles, it is because it has laid off too many workers in pursuit of returns for shareholders.”
BRAMPTON—Workers at MDA Space ratified a new collective agreement today, bringing a nine-week strike at the aerospace manufacturer’s global headquarters in Brampton to an end.
The members of Kingston Access Bus, Local 4266 in Kingston, Ont. have ratified their new agreement by 92%.
“Congratulations to the bargaining committee for their hard work to support our skilled and hard-working transit members who perform incredibly important duties in the community, day in and out,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
“Thank you to the members, who have been vocal about their support to Unifor’s accomplishments during this round of bargaining.”
MONTREAL/TORONTO- Unifor members employed by Expertech, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bell Canada Enterprises Inc., ratified new collective agreements following several weeks of voting in Quebec and Ontario. The new agreements cover approximately 730 members who work in clerical and technical capacities.
On May 30, Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle joined Local 10-B President Sheldon Morice and 1st Vice President Wes Mitchell for a tour of the Kruger pulp mill in Kamloops, B.C.
While in Kamloops, McGarrigle and Unifor leaders met with Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson, City Councillor Katie Neustaeter, and Kruger management to discuss the mill’s struggles with a regular economic access to fibre with which to run the mill. Kruger’s facility is not alone in its fibre supply troubles:
Holding placards that read, “Bus or plane, Unifor scope is still the same,” more than 50 Unifor members and supporting unions and aviation organizations rallied at Pearson International Airport on June 5 to protect their scope work after Air Canada recently hired a bus company to shuttle passengers to different airports.
TORONTO—Unifor applauds the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)’s announcement today of new supports for local Canadian news, in conjunction with its regulatory plan to modernize Canada’s broadcasting framework.
“Unifor has been advocating for American streamers to pay their fair share to the Canadian broadcasting system for over 15 years,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission 280 Slater Street P.O. Box 1046, Station B Ottawa, ON K1P 5S9
As Canada's nuclear regulatory agency, we are writing to inform you of the potential for mishandling of radioactive material at the Best Theratronics medical devices facility in Ottawa, Ontario.
KANATA, ONT.—Unifor and the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) sent a joint letter to the Canadian Safety Nuclear Commission (CNSC) today, expressing their concerns about Best Theratronics using unqualified managers and non-union workers as scab labour to handle safety-sensitive equipment at its Kanata, Ont. facility, including those containing radioactive material.
OTTAWA – Unifor welcomes the passing of the third reading of the federal pharmacare bill, bringing Canada one step closer to making universal pharmacare a reality.
Unifor continues to pressure the Bank of Canada to lower interest rates as the bank prepares for its upcoming June 5 announcement.
“The Bank of Canada hiked and then stubbornly held the interest rate level for far too long and it is past time for relief to be provided to working people across the country,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “The reality is high interest rates are creating the inflation problems the Bank is trying to address.”
June marks National Indigenous History Month, a time to celebrate the rich and diverse cultures, art, and music of Indigenous peoples. This month is an opportunity to honour the resilience, achievements, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities, and to reflect on the importance of their traditions and heritage.
With the election of Canada’s first First Nations premier, Wab Kinew, there is lots to celebrate.
WILLIAMS LAKE—Unifor members at Local 3018 were forced to take strike action at the Gibraltar copper mine on June 1, 2024 after the company refused to negotiate basic terms of a new collective agreement.
“A fair collective agreement, with wages and benefits that reflect the significant contributions of our members, is not too much to ask. The disruption that began earlier today is entirely the company's doing,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
Fredericton —Unifor Atlantic Regional Director Jennifer Murray was present as the Green Party of New Brunswick tabled anti-scab legislation and says every party should be supporting this bill.
“The use of scabs undermines bargaining, breaks trust between employer and employees, and leads to longer labour disputes and a more toxic work environment,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Every worker has a right to free and fair collective bargaining and anti-scab legislation upholds that right.”
Mental health was the front and centre topic at the Education Technical Office and Professional (ETOP) Council on May 29 and 30 at Unifor’s national office in Toronto.
“We have found in the ETOP sector it’s really had a huge impact for all of our members,” said ETOP Council Chair Emily Heikoop. “We need to reduce the stigma and change how we talk about mental health in the workplace, both in terms of representing our members and taking care of our union reps who are taking care of them.”
Unifor’s commitment to social justice and international solidarity has been recognized on a global stage. Labour union activists Ken Luckhardt and Brenda Wall, received the Order of the Companions of O.R. Tambo award on April 30, 2024 from the South African government for their pivotal role in the anti-apartheid movement.
Testimony of Lana Payne, National President May 30, 2024
Good afternoon Madame Chair, and members of the committee.
My name is Lana Payne and I’m the National President of Unifor, Canada’s largest labour union in the private sector representing 320,000 working people across the country. Joining me is Unifor Director of Research Angelo DiCaro.
PRESCOTT, ONT.—The members at Unifor Local 4266 who work at First Student bus in Prescott, Ont., near Kingston, have unanimously voted for their first contract.
“Congratulations to the bargaining committee for its work in this milestone contract,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
Unifor members joined thousands of Ontarians in a united stand against the privatization of health care at rallies organized by the Ontario Health Coalition throughout the province on May 30.
TROIS-RIVIERES - Unifor announces that 298 members of Locals 136, 234, 234 cp and 265 working for the Kruger Trois-Rivières S.E.C. plant went on strike last night. This follows the overwhelming rejection of an offer from the employer.
After months of fruitless negotiations on monetary issues, the members voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action to express their dissatisfaction and their determination to obtain a fair collective agreement.
London, ON—Members at the newly organized Unifor Local 27 bargaining unit at The Original Cakerie have ratified a first contract that covers 820 workers who produce up to 10,000 cakes per day for Costco and other big chain grocery stores.
TORONTO—Workers at Nestle have ratified a new three-year contract today with the chocolate maker that has significant bumps in wages, pensions, and health benefits, ending a strike that began on May 5.
“Congratulations to the bargaining committee for their tenacious work in securing this deal, which protects members from precarious work and provides them and their families some cushion from the affordability crisis we’re in,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
The Unifor Ontario Region Retired Workers Council Meeting, held at Unifor Local 88 in Ingersoll, Ontario on May 29, saw retirees coming together to celebrate their contributions to the union and to discuss future initiatives.
“Retirees are invaluable to our union,” said Samia Hashi, Unifor Ontario Regional Director. “Their wisdom and unwavering commitment serve as a foundation upon which we continue to build our union."
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