The federal Ministry of Labour’s ongoing inspections to uncover violations of new laws to protect truck drivers are important for maintaining good wages and preventing fraud, says Unifor.
VANCOUVER—Container truck drivers’ concerns are being ignored as the Port of Vancouver forces through a program to retire trucks arbitrarily, says Unifor.
“The program is a farce. Not only does it ignore the financial concerns of truck drivers, it exempts more than 98% of trucks on B.C.’s roads,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director. “It’s ‘greenwashing’ at its worst. The Port’s plan imposes massive costs on truckers and will have no real effect on emissions.”
WINNIPEG—Unifor Local 681 will hold a rally at Manitoba Hydro Place as part of the second day of picket line action against the employer and join the leader of the opposition to call for a legislative committee to hear testimony on the impasse.
“With record profits forecasted for the employer, we call on Premier Heather Stefanson to answer questions about why gas workers in the province are being denied the same wage increases awarded to other Crown workers,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director.
TORONTO–More than 330 e-commerce warehouse workers at HBC Logistics (The Bay) began strike action at noon today. Negotiations broke down suddenly after the company refused to offer an increase in compensation for the past year, when workers continued to provide services without a contract during the pandemic.
More than 70 members, staff, and union leadership joined an Education Department webinar about the gender fluid traditions of First Nations. It was coordinated as one of the ways Unifor is celebrating both National Indigenous Peoples’ Day and Pride month.
The session was the fourteenth in the Turtle Island series led by Unifor Indigenous Communities Liaison Gina Smoke.
Last week, your Bargaining Committee made headway on a number of priority areas.
We raised our concern in regards to recent modifications in Consumer Service Representative classification.
Many facets of the work of technicians were also explored with the employer.
After weeks of slow movement from the Company, their representatives showed an opening for a change in pace. There is a lot of Bargaining going between Bell Canada and Unifor:
The deadline to complete a survey on sexual harassment in the workplace for workers in the hospitality, gaming and airline sectors has been extended to June 30, 2022!
The Toronto Caribbean Carnival is the largest event of its type in North America, attracting over two million people annually and Unifor is a proud participant.
Over the past six years, Unifor alongside the Executive of Local 40, has organized a mas band contingent to represent the union in the Grand Parade.
Your Bargaining Committee is happy to report the results of the strike vote. More than two-thirds of the membership voted, with 65% voting in favour of strike action.
This historic vote will send Bell Canada a clear, direct message to bring a better deal to the table. In this round of negotiations we’re clear that it’s Our Bell, and Our Jobs.
Unifor Local 681 members at Manitoba Hydro began rotating strikes on June 17. Watch the rally and hear about what's at stake for these members who worked during the pandemic on the front lines of in-home service.
The Honourable Minister Freeland, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Finance
Dear Minister Freeland, Re: Canada’s Affordability Crisis
I followed with great interest the details of your remarks to the Empire Club on June 16, regarding rising inflation and the affordability crisis that afflicts many working families in Canada.
After two long years of racism exacerbated by the pandemic, Black, Indigenous and Workers of Colour (BIWOC) gathered in Port Elgin to share their trauma.
The three-day BIWOC conference – which took place in-person June 17 to 19, 2022 – had a poignant theme this year: “Practicing radical self-care is an act of activism.”
TORONTO– Unifor members in the Bell Canada clerical unit returned a strike mandate on Sunday June 19, just ahead of this week’s negotiations with the company.
The approximately 4,200 workers in the bargaining unit perform clerical and other duties, and live and work across Ontario and Quebec. More than two-thirds of the membership voted, with 65% voting in favour of strike action.
WINNIPEG—Premier Heather Stefanson’s grudge against Manitoba Hydro workers has resulted in legal strike action and customer service disruptions, says Unifor.
Kleenzone workers who provide cleaning services at the Sanofi Pasteur Plant in Toronto remain on the picket line on day four of strike action.
The approximately 60 Unifor Local 1701 members began the strike on June 14, 2022 after voting to reject a second tentative agreement offer.
“This will only be settled at the bargaining table and we’re willing to return to negotiations so we can resolve this and get our members back to work.” said Mike Hill, Unifor Local 1701 President.
Council 4000 and Local 100 bargaining committee resumed negotiations this week from Monday to Thursday with VIA Rail.
As mentioned in the previous RailLine, VIA Rail has served four estoppels and are refusing to take them off the table. Both Council 4000 and Local 100 are currently facing concessions. This is unacceptable to both bargaining committees.
WINNIPEG—Unifor Local 681 will hold a rally at Manitoba Hydro Place to launch legal strike action on June 17, 2022.
“Premier Heather Stefanson is repeating the mistakes of Brian Pallister. The disrespect her government has shown for hard-working Manitoba Hydro workers is at the heart of this job action,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director. “Our strike is a last resort, but we’re prepared to stand up for the fair contract our members have earned.”
“Whoever, Wherever, Whenever” are the criteria that all nations must have in accepting refugees seeking safety, the United Nations says in its call for action on World Refugee Day, June 20, 2022.
Toronto Police releasing race-based data that affirms Black, Indigenous and people of colour were disproportionately targeted by officers is merely a first step, says Unifor.
The report released Wednesday, June 15, 2022, found that Black residents were more than twice the amount likely to have an “enforcement action” against them and were 230% more likely to have a police officer point a gun at them when they appeared to be unarmed compared to white people.
National Indigenous Peoples’ Day (NIPD) is an important moment to reflect on the varied cultural and artistic heritage of First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples and to celebrate these contributions. This year Unifor has partnered with the Aboriginal Peoples’ Television Network to sponsor Indigenous Day Live on June 18, a cultural and artistic show with the theme “Celebrating Our Lands.” The event celebrates gender diversity and the important connection Indigenous women have to the land.
More than 100 Covid heroes met in-person for the first time since the pandemic began in 2020.
Health care workers gathered at Unifor’s Family Education Centre in Port Elgin, Ontario. on June 9, 2022 for Unifor’s three-day Health Care Conference, to discuss bargaining strategies and challenges facing their workplaces and their sector.
Unifor’s innovative Warehouse Workers Unite Campaign was recognized at the 2022 Canadian Association of Labour Media (CALM) 2022 Awards, along with National Secretary-Treasurer Lana Payne and Unifor Local 21-S.
Here’s what Unifor was recognized for at this year’s awards:
Unifor member Paul Totten died on the job on Monday, June 13, 2022 in Tillsonburg, Ontario where he worked as a technician for Bell Technical Solutions (BTS).
“Thoughts and deepest sympathies to Brother Totten’s loved ones and family including his union family. Our entire Unifor family grieves with you,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National Secretary-Treasurer.
VANCOUVER—A ground-breaking Cost of Living Adjustment was a key factor for Unifor Local 114 members who voted today to ratify a new contract with PW Transit, effectively ending the longest transit strike in B.C. history.
“We were successful at closing an unacceptable wage inequality between transit workers in Vancouver and the Sea to Sky region,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director. “Local 114 members are eager to return to serving the communities of Squamish, Whistler, and Pemberton.”
CAMBRIDGE—Unifor Local 999 members working in storage, transmission, and operations (STO) at Enbridge Gas have ratified a new collective agreement.
“Our members were united and showed great determination in their efforts to reach a fair and just collective agreement,” said Jeff Gray, President of Local 999.
The contract’s ratification puts an end to the 20-day strike and restores the safe and reliable operation of high pressure natural gas storage and transmission in the region, says Unifor.
Unifor Local 222 members at Pilkington Glass made significant wage gains in a new contract ratified on June 12, 2022. The three-year agreement covers approximately 100 union members who manufacture specialty glass products for the auto industry at the Whitby, Ontario plant.
Supporters of labour rights in Mexico won a big victory on May 26 when workers at General Motors’ biggest auto plant, located in the city of Silao, ratified a first collective agreement negotiated by their new, independently elected union SINTTIA.
CONCORD, ONTARIO—Unifor Local 112 members ratified a new three-year collective agreement today ending a labour dispute at the UTIL Canada Inc. auto parts plant.
“The unity, strength and solidarity of Unifor Local 112 members displayed throughout this dispute was pivotal in reaching a fair settlement,” said Naureen Rizvi, Unifor Ontario Regional Director. “I would like to congratulate union members on a successful ratification and the union’s bargaining team for their hard work and determination throughout the negotiations.”
Council 4000 and Local 100 bargaining committee resumed negotiations this week from Monday to Wednesday with VIA Rail.
Council 4000 has significant work rules to work through, however VIA has served 4 estoppel’s and are refusing to take them off the table and both the Council and Local 100 are currently facing concessions. This is unacceptable to both bargaining committees and we will continue to pushback and have the concessions removed.
Unifor members from across the country tuned in on June 7, 2022 to the union’s webinar about the history of VIA Rail, current challenges facing Unifor rail members and the union’s plan to fight privatization.
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