Unifor local leaders from across the auto parts industry gathered in London to hold the sector’s second-ever joint bargaining strategy conference and adopt a common set of goals at the bargaining table.
“Bargaining as a united auto parts sector is crucial,” Lana Payne, Unifor National President, told conference delegates. “We have to push employers to stay in Canada, build in Canada and grow good union jobs.”
TORONTO—The Ontario Ministry of Health proposal to amend the Ambulance Act to employ nurses, physicians and respiratory therapists, along with paramedics for Ornge air flight ambulances will not improve patient outcomes in the province.
Congratulations to the bargaining team of Unifor Local 39-X on the ratification of a four-year agreement with Rothsay-Darling, after a round of tough negotiations. The new contract – hard fought for by the union – will enhance the 92-member unit’s wages and benefits and includes language that improves the day-to-day operation of the workplace moving forward. The members work at the Rothsay-Darling plant in Moorefield, Ont., which provides rendering, recycling and recovery solutions to Canada’s food industry.
WINNIPEG—The Manitoba government’s refusal to fund a living wage at the Association for Community Living (ACL) has resulted in Unifor Local 468 members rejecting the employer’s latest contract offer.
“During the pandemic the Stefanson government was quick to call health care workers heroes, but at the bargaining table its totally different tone,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “Offering health care workers one dollar above minimum wage will not cut it. Health care workers deserve a living wage.”
On September 14, 2022, Unifor and CP opened contract negotiations. At the opening of contract talks your bargaining committee made it clear to the employer that its heavy-handed disciplinary actions must immediately stop and our members are expecting improvements in wages and benefits.
Unifor says Sunwing Airlines has not done enough to fill open positions by intending to hire permanent pilots who would be covered by the union’s collective agreement, instead opting to use temporary foreign workers. Read our letters to the company and the Canadian government asking them to stop this practice.
Unifor's letter to Len Corrado Président, Sunwing Airlines Inc.
Len Corrado
President, Sunwing Airlines Inc.
Re: Sunwing Application to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program Dear Mr. Corrado,
JOLIETTE, QUE. – Gathered last night – October 6, 2022 – at a special meeting, the members of Unifor Local 177 voted in favour of the conciliator’s recommendation, ending the 16-month lock-out.
“We’re proud of the determination of our members who stood strong and never gave up. Thanks to their tenacity, this conflict came to a favourable conclusion. It’s now time to heal the wounds and get back to a normal life,” said Daniel Cloutier, Unifor-Québec Director.
Unifor proudly celebrates Continuing Care Assistant (CCA) Week, October 10-15, 2022, organized by the Health Association of Nova Scotia (HANS) as part of Continuing Care Month.
"We share our gratitude and respect for CCAs this week as we continue to support these workers in gaining the recognition and working conditions they deserve,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “I want to personally thank CCAs for their dedication and deep commitment to care. Our communities are more compassionate because of you.”
Unifor members attended the inaugural International Black Health Conference in Halifax, N.S. to discuss strategies for improving access to health care in Black communities across Canada.
The conference – from Oct. 6 to 8, 2022 – is the first in Canada. Its main goal is to create better health outcomes across Black communities, inform clinical practice, initiate policy change, and showcase achievements and promising practices, which will be documented in a report available to the public in early 2023.
Unifor stands in full support and solidarity with protestors bravely taking to the streets across Iran in the wake of the murder of 22-year old Mahsa Amini on September 16th, at the hands of Iran’s Guidance Patrol (commonly known as the ‘morality police’), after allegedly failing to adhere to the country’s strict dress code.
TORONTO-Unifor is calling on the federal government to renounce an ‘incredulous’ recommendation by the National Supply Chain Task Force to develop an alternative model of labour relations intended to diminish workers’ fundamental right to strike and to publicly recommit to basic workplace rights afforded to Canadian workers.
Orange Shirt Day is a reminder of the colonial violence that still haunts survivors and their families today. The Songhees Nation hosted the South Island powwow on September 30 as a show of unity and perseverance. Watch Unifor activists participate in the day's activities.
HALIFAX –Unifor is congratulating Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) on their long-fought victory for wage increases following today’s Nova Scotia government announcement to invest an additional $75 million annually in the sector.
“Accessible, affordable, quality child care is what underpins our workforce and it doesn’t work without living wages for ECEs,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “Respecting child care workers will ensure the success of the Canada-wide $10-a-day child care plan and strengthen the Canadian economy.”
HALIFAX––Unifor has reached a tentative agreement on behalf of workers at the Autoport vehicle processing and transshipment facility, located in Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia at the mouth of the Halifax harbour.
“With the united support of the membership behind them the bargaining committee was able to secure a tentative agreement that addresses key priorities for the workers,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
More than 150 health and safety representatives and leaders gathered at Unifor’s Family Education Centre in Port Elgin, Ont., for the 2022 Health and Safety Conference. Held biannually, this was the union’s first in-person health and safety conference in four years, but in that time, the pandemic meant the national union and local leaders were more occupied with health and safety issues than ever before.
Unifor Local 222 members at Mills Motors recently ratified a collective agreement, focusing on job security at the automotive dealership.
“The ongoing supply chain shortages and other economic interruptions have squeezed automotive dealerships, and by extension, workers. Congratulations to the bargaining committee for securing this contract amidst difficult times for the auto industry,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President.
Local 100 and Autoport Eastern Passage Bargaining and Strike Vote Results
The bargaining committee at Autoport Eastern Passage has been negotiating with the employer since February 15, 2021. The collective agreement expired on December 31, 2021.
October 4 is a day to honour murdered and missing Indigenous women, girls and two-spirited persons (MMIWG2S) while showing love and support for their families.
This year we mark Women’s History Month in Canada with the knowledge that gains toward equality are fragile and need vigilance to continually protect and enshrine them into the fabric of our union and country.
As we reach back into our past to share the stories of women who have been trailblazers, we learn important lessons from their struggles and triumphs that we need to continually remind ourselves of today.
It was Lana Payne’s career in journalism that sparked her love of unions.
When the Unifor National President was 21, she worked for her hometown paper, the St. John’s Evening Telegram in Newfoundland and Labrador, calling it a “baptism by fire,” enduring night shifts and eventually discovering her passion in covering labour issues. She found her beat.
TORONTO –Unifor is disheartened that news of a court application to dissolve NordStar Capital Inc., the controlling company of Torstar and the Toronto Star, came from a media outlet, rather than the employer.
"Today's unexpected news was completely disrespectful to the hard-working Toronto Star staff who felt blindsided by this information – or rather, lack-of,” said Unifor’s National President Lana Payne. “Journalists and media workers often put their lives on the line to provide fact-based reporting to the public and they deserve better.”
September 30 is a national statutory holiday to recognize the widespread abuse at residential schools, honour survivors, and work for reconciliation. The event has been known as Orange Shirt Day since 2013. It is named after the clothing taken from Phyllis (Jack) Webstad when she was six years old on her first day at residential school.
Unifor has reached a tentative three-year agreement with Saputo Dairy Products after a six-month period of negotiations.
“Congratulations to the bargaining team to stand firm on negotiating the best collective agreement for new members,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “The first contract always sets a standard and this deal addresses the needs and concerns of our members.”
On October 1, we celebrate the International Day of Older Persons.
First observed in 1991, the General Assembly of the United Nations designated this day to draw attention to the important contribution of seniors and to changing demographics: the greying of the population, or the "age of ageing." We mark this day as a way of providing education on public issues and concerns, to mobilize for change and action and to celebrate achievements.
Unifor stands with journalists and independent news organizations on World News Day – Sept. 28, 2022 – a day where many recognize the importance of fact-based journalism.
The rise of misinformation and the acute lack of funding for quality local news is leading Canada to a crossroads. As a country, we can choose to fund and value local news and the work of journalists, or face the consequences caused by fake news and unreliable information spread on social media.
Fact-based news is an integral part of a healthy democracy, and it must be defended and adequately funded.
TORONTO- Unifor will donate $500,000 to the Canadian Red Cross for the Hurricane Fiona in Canada Appeal in support of recovery efforts in Atlantic Canada and eastern Quebec.
“The devastation in coastal and Atlantic communities cannot be overstated. Recovery efforts will be ‘all hands on deck’ and Unifor is prepared to step up and participate through what will surely be a long and difficult period,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President.
TORONTO— Members at the Extendicare group of nursing homes across Ontario ratified 10 new collective agreements with precedent-setting improvements including a pilot project to move the entire workforce to full-time.
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