Unifor addressed key industry concerns including understaffing, a living wage at airports for all aviation workers, an end to contract flipping, introduction of successorship rights, and proper training and true protection for the harassment endured by workers on the job at the federal government’s National Summit on the Recovery of the Air Sector on Nov. 24, 2022 in Ottawa.
NAPANEE, Ontario- Unifor members at Strathcona Paperworks voted 94% in favour of strike action as negotiations with their employer have stalled.
“Strathcona Paperworks has enjoyed record profits over the last few years but they aren’t coming to the table with an offer that recognizes the workers behind those profits,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “These members are ready to stand up for themselves and the union stands with them all the way.”
Originally published in The Hill Times on November 28, 2022.
By Lana Payne
Canada’s aerospace sector is in a slow burning crisis. Workers have, out of frustration, issued many calls for proactive measures to help the industry.
Recently, the federal government gave strong signals to Unifor that more support for the industry is on its way. Recognition of the long-standing challenges faced by workers in the sector are indeed much-needed, and support is needed urgently.
FREDERICTON- Unifor, Canada’s largest union in the private sector, stands in firm solidarity with New Brunswick public sector workers and their unions amid the Higgs government’s anti-worker, anti-labour legislation to amend the Public Service Labour Relations Act.
The 17th Unifor Quebec Council was held in Montreal on the weekend of November 25-27. It was the first Quebec Council since the election of the new Quebec Director, Daniel Cloutier.
The Council got under way with a report from Cloutier, who outlined the many issues the union is currently facing, both in workplaces and at the political level. Cloutier also presented two recommendations, the first, dealing with sexual and reproductive health rights and the second, requesting support for women in Iran.
The second day of the 2022 BC Council opened with remarks from Angela MacDougall of Vancouver’s Battered Women’s Support Services. MacDougall is a well-known activist who has worked for decades to end femicide, the killing of women and girls because of their gender.
She shared statistics about the alarming rise of violence against women during the pandemic and provided examples of the campaign work BWSS has done recently raising awareness of the crisis.
The BC Regional Council opened on November 25, 2022 with a warm welcome to the unceded, shared, traditional territories of the Squamish Nation and Lil’wat Nation from cultural ambassadors Tmicwts’a Irene Terry Peters and Romie Napoleon James. Delegates were also treated to a performance by Coastal Wolfpack Dancers.
Unifor opens contract talks with Toronto Terminals Railway
Unifor opened bargaining for a new collective agreement with Toronto Terminals Railway (TTR) this week.
"Our members working at TTR are loud and clear that they need an agreement that addresses the crushing inflation on an already high cost of living in Vancouver," said Rick Raso, President of Unifor Local 101R. “Workers are falling behind and the bargaining committee is determined to push back and fight for wages that keep up with rising costs.”
A new Labour Action Centre to support former Syncreon Automotive workers has officially opened in Windsor, Ontario. The Centre will assist the almost 300 Unifor Local 195 members who lost their jobs when Syncreon closed last month, following the Stellantis decision to insource the work back into the Windsor Assembly Plant.
November 25 starts a global campaign of 16 Days of Activism for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. This year’s theme is Unite: Activism to End Violence Against Women. In the spirit of unity, Unifor is raising awareness among the membership about the Signal for Help, which began in 2020 as a way for women to silently show they need help and want someone to safely check in with them.
TORONTO – In a historic moment, Ontario’s five largest health care unions have joined forces, issuing an SOS appeal to Premier Doug Ford and Health Minister Sylvia Jones: your plan is failing – take action and adopt our solutions to stabilize Ontario’s crashing health care system today.
The full-zip, fleece-lined sweatshirts distributed at this year’s Women’s Conference were a big hit. The union has received many requests on how to order them for Locals – and now is your chance.
The union- and Canadian-made Unifor Rosie Solidarity sweater is $60 and local unions can order and purchase directly from the Unifor Store.
Today, the Fish Food and Allied Workers Union (FFAW-Unifor) is celebrating World Fisheries Day. One day, held annually on November 21, internationally recognizes commercial fisheries and the many people whose livelihoods rely on sustainably managed ocean ecosystems.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, the commercial fishery of today is not the fishery of our grandfathers and great-grandfathers. The commercial fishery of 2022, in many ways, would be unrecognizable to our forefathers.
Local 100 and Council 4000 bargaining committees met with the employer this week to begin discussions on non-economic proposals which includes the addressing the on-going issue of contracting out unionized work.
Your Master Bargaining Committee feels that talks this week were productive with the employer and are progressing well. We are committed to impress upon the company that our members deserve a collective agreement that treats you with dignity and respect.
ESTERHAZY, SASKATCHEWAN–Unifor Local 892 has filed for mediation after contract negotiations with Mosaic Potash Esterhazy Limited reached an impasse.
“Mosaic is a multi-national corporation that rakes in billions yet refuses to help its workers keep up with the cost of living,” said Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle.
Unifor recognises 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 - overwhelmingly Black trans women and femmes - have been taken due to anti-trans violence.
On Saturday, November 20, Unifor encourages members to engage with this important day of remembrance by attending a vigil and sharing the union’s resources.
On World Toilet Day, November 19, Unifor renews its call for employers and governments to ensure all workers have access to safe sanitation at work.
“Safe sanitation at work is about dignity,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President and ITF Board Member., “Workers and workplaces are diverse, so every employer must take steps to ensure sanitation facilities are clean, appropriate and safe to meet the individual needs of workers.”
KAMLOOPS—Unifor Local 10-B members at Dearborn Ford in Kamloops will strike on Thursday, Nov. 17 at noon if the profitable employer doesn’t drop its demands for concessions.
“We will not let a payroll practice banned in numerous places be imposed on Unifor members in B.C.,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “Our members work too hard to be short-changed by a profitable employer.”
WINNIPEG—Unifor will fight for public health care after conservative Premier Heather Stefanson promised increased private sector delivery in the speech from the throne.
“Privatization means cutting corners and prioritizing profits over proper care,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “Private health care might be popular among the PC’s elite donor class, but it is a non-starter with working people.”
Vehicle service workers at Wayne Pitman Ford and Barry Cullen Chevrolet dealerships in Guelph made solid gains to wages, benefits, and more after ratifying new three-year agreements.
“Wages were certainly top of mind in this round of bargaining,” said Jerry Escott, Unifor Local 1917 President. “I am proud of the work of the union’s bargaining committees that delivered wage gains over and above the previous round of negotiations.”
TILLSONBURG–Unifor condemns Adient management’s decision to suddenly close its Tillsonburg seating foam plant without warning, after operating in the community for more than fifty years.
TORONTO – With rising surpluses and deepening service cuts, the Ontario Fall Economic Statement shows that government has not fully learned the lessons of this month’s labour strife.
“The Government of Ontario should be using these funds to build strong services and invest in critical infrastructure and manufacturing, growing good jobs in both the public and private sectors. Ontario’s healthcare and education systems are long overdue for increased funding, and workers in Ontario need a raise,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President.
OTTAWA – Unifor National President Lana Payne called for urgent action to address the affordability crisis and for enactment of policies that will bolster and support workers and their families as she outlined the union’s 2023 federal budget priorities to start the union’s lobby week.
Payne spoke at a media conference alongside Len Poirier, Unifor National Secretary-Treasurer, Daniel Cloutier, Unifor Quebec Director and Matthew Green, NDP MP for Hamilton Centre.
OTTAWA- Unifor’s National President, Lana Payne, and additional union leaders, will hold a media conference to kick off a week of lobbying on worker issues and the union’s 2023 federal budget priorities in Ottawa.
Every year, we observe the 16 days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence with December 6 marking the final day - The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
To Brother Rob Cormier, President of ATU Local 1587:
RE: Unifor Road Transportation Council in solidarity with striking GO Transit workers
On behalf of the 23,000 members of Unifor’s Road Transportation Council, we would like to send our collective support and solidarity with the 2,200 striking GO Transit workers, represented by ATU Local 1587.
Once slated for closure, The remarkable return of vehicle production to the General Motors (GM) Oshawa Assembly Complex has been compared to a phoenix rising from the ashes. The comparison is far from an overstatement.
On the heels of the Newfoundland and Labrador Fish Harvesting Safety Association (Nl-FHSA) Safety Symposium last week and the arrival of Minister Joyce Murray in St. John’s this week, the FFAW’s Inshore Council is reiterating the need for increased search and rescue resources in Labrador.
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