FORT MCMURRAY—A new memorandum of understanding signed with Suncor will convert 300 temporary positions into permanent jobs by the end of 2024.
“Local 707-A has done great work to secure these additional good jobs by mutual agreement with the employer,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director.
The 2022 Employment Insurance and Canada Pension Plan (EI/CPP) Conference, hosted at the Unifor Family Education Centre, took place over a monumental weekend for EI benefits in Canada.
On Saturday, September 24, the remaining EI temporary measures were allowed to expire by the federal government. Delegates were trained to navigate a much different system where fewer Canadians will be able to qualify for benefits, and where separation payments will now be allocated all despite Unifor’s ongoing campaign efforts.
TORONTO –In light of the changes the Canadian government announced yesterday – on Sept. 26, 2022 – to drop all COVID-19 travel requirements beginning Oct. 1, 2022, Unifor is calling for ongoing and vigilant attention to the health, safety and respect of workers in that industry.
Workers and government representatives spent the past two weeks at the Ontario Superior Court, presenting arguments against and in support of Bill 124.
Professional fish harvesters on the southwest coast of the province are left reeling after post-tropical storm Fiona made landfall in the area on Friday and Saturday. The damage left in Fiona’s wake has impacted multiple enterprises, leaving significant damage to gear, boats, motors, and sheds. FFAW-Unifor is seeking financial support from federal and provincial governments to assist these inshore harvesters in their rebuilding efforts.
Families across Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Quebec are facing devastation of their homes and neighbourhoods, displacement, injury, and other damaging effects of Hurricane Fiona today.
This is a storm like we have never experienced before. Indeed, the severity and frequency of such storms has increased dramatically in recent years due to climate change. The toll of the damage is still unknown but reports grow as we cautiously wait for the weather to clear and for more information to come in.
TORONTO—Wage increases and improved sick day provisions are part of a new five-year collective agreement ratified today by Unifor members at Loomis Express.
“Unifor is a strong union for courier industry workers,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “Time and again, Loomis Express workers have identified policies that will improve working conditions and bargained skillfully to achieve new gains.”
Workers at radio station CKNX in Wingham, Ont., have ratified a new three-year collective agreement with its parent company, Blackburn Media Inc.
“Congratulations to the bargaining team on negotiating a strong deal for the membership,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “Local broadcasters provide a vital service to rural communities by keeping listeners informed and connected.”
Like so many, we at Unifor are grieving the loss of life and suffering experienced by the people of James Smith Cree Nation and in the community of Weldon. For our Union, the loss is deeply personal, Carol Burns was a valued member of Unifor Local 2S.
We expect that many difficult moments will lie ahead for all of the families, friends and communities impacted by the senseless violence. Unifor sends its support and solidarity to the Indigenous Elders carrying the weight of these painful events as they focus on assisting their peoples and communities.
Last week, Ontario’s Financial Accountability Office (FAO) revealed that the province spent $776 million (nearly 2% less than planned) in the first quarter of the year.
Here’s how that spending was broken down, and what it means for workers in Ontario.
The shortfall in spending falls into health services and the early learning and child care plans – two sets of programs that are very important to our members, Ontario’s residents and the economy.
Air travellers are frustrated, and for good reason. A shortage of workers in the industry has clashed with rapidly returning demand for air travel to create cascading flight delays, lost luggage, cancellations and other disruptions at airports around the world.
These problems have been experienced at airports around the world, but Canada’s airports have been the worst.
OWEN SOUND —School bus drivers represented by Unifor Local 4268 have reached a tentative agreement with First Student Owen Sound, Kincardine/Port Elgin.
“As the leading union for Ontario’s school bus sector, it’s important that Unifor continues to raise the bar for these critically important workers,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “These negotiations were protracted and I thank the bargaining committee for their dedication in securing a tentative agreement for our members.”
ST. JOHN’S, NL – FFAW-Unifor, the largest private sector trade-union in the province, is launching a campaign focused on health and safety issues affecting members. The campaign will run throughout the fall months and will highlight key topics with the goal of bringing change from legislation makers and employers.
HALIFAX- Unifor members at Bell Aliant voted to accept a new collective agreement, ending an 8-month negotiation period.
“Telecommunications workers were razor-focused throughout these talks. The members demanded fair wage increases and commitments to keep good union jobs here in Atlantic Canada,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President.
The 4-year tentative agreement was reached with Bell on September 9, 2022 and was presented to members for a vote on September 13 and 14, 2022.
More than 350 women from across Canada gathered at the Unifor Family Education Centre for the 2022 Women’s Conference from September 11 to 13, 2022. With a theme of “Feminists at Work: We Are Unstoppable”, the conference aimed to connect Unifor members with other sisters to create new and grow current support networks.
VANCOUVER—Wage increases and shift premiums are highlights of a new collective agreement ratified September 14 by Unifor members at Purdy’s Chocolatier.
“This contract makes important gains for workers struggling to cope with the rising cost of living in Metro Vancouver,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director.
Members vote yes to accept new tentative agreement
Dear members,
Congratulations, you now have a new collective agreement with Bell. Our 8-months of negotiations and our national fight for this deal have come to a close.
OWEN SOUND —School bus drivers at First Student have voted overwhelmingly to support strike action if negotiations with the company fail to produce a new collective agreement.
“This is a job with tremendous responsibility, not a hobby, but companies continue to ask drivers for a full-time commitment for a part-time pay,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “It’s time for these drivers to be treated with the respect that they deserve.”
Today Unifor National Secretary Treasurer Len Poirier, alongside Unifor Local 101R President Rick Raso and his bargaining committee opened negotiations with Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) for a new collective agreement this morning in Calgary.
SASKATOON—Unifor Local 609 members responsible for operating and maintaining the light beam at the Canadian Light Source have applied for mediation after the employer refused to address concerns about inflation eroding their wages.
Three women working at the University of Windsor – all Unifor members – will receive back pay in the range of $25,000 to $35,000 each from their employer, after the union filed a complaint with the province’s Pay Equity Review Services.
TORONTO- Unifor supports federal government moves to address the affordability crisis but calls for more comprehensive solutions to support Canada’s workers.
TORONTO –A jury adopted several of Unifor’s safety and process recommendations to help prevent future death and injury to miners following an inquiry into the October 15, 2015 workplace death of Sudbury miner Richard Pigeau.
“The jury’s safety, support and training recommendations must be implemented immediately as they are necessary to protect workers in the mining sector,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “One worker’s death is one too many. These practical changes can save lives and prevent injury.”
CALGARY – Bargaining for a new collective agreement began this morning in Calgary between Unifor Local 101R and Canadian Pacific (CP).
“Our members have worked tirelessly day in and night across the country, in helping CP earn record profits,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “It is our expectation that CP rewards our members with the fair and equitable wage increases that they deserve.”
VANCOUVER—Unifor Local 2000’s bargaining committee has secured a tentative agreement with Purdy’s Chocolatier during negotiations that went down to the deadline set by the union.
“I’m proud of the solidarity and the work done by Local 2000 members to reach a tentative deal that advances their goals,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director.
VANCOUVER—Members of Unifor Local 2000 working at Purdy’s Chocolatier could be on strike at midnight if the employer refuses to make a fair wage offer during negotiations today.
“Unifor members have helped make Purdy’s a household name in British Columbia,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director. “Workers at Purdy’s deserve a fair contract that protects their wages from inflation during uncertain economic times.”
OSHAWA––Unifor members at GDI Services have won significant wage and benefit gains in a new collective agreement, bringing a 17-day labour dispute at Durham College campuses to an end.
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