TORONTO—Unifor members at Metro Distribution Centre warehouses have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a new collective agreement that delivers substantial wage increases and a groundbreaking prescription drug plan to 225 part-time workers.
“We are pleased to say this collective agreement recognizes the work and commitment these employees bring to the success of the Metro chain,” said Naureen Rizvi, Unifor Ontario Regional Director.
HALIFAX - Talks between the Health Support Bargaining Unit, led by Unifor, and Nova Scotia Health and the IWK have reached an impasse, with unions filing for conciliation in hopes of securing a new collective agreement for more than 3,000 health care workers across the province.
More than 100 members gathered in Thunder Bay on May 13-14 for the annual Northern Ontario Leadership Meeting to strategize on how to best organize and elect progressive politicians in the upcoming Ontario provincial elections.
First published in the National Post on May 17, 2022
Whenever I see old friends, the same thing happens. After the hugs and handshakes, or maybe elbow bumps, we get down to the real business of reconnecting. We start catching up — recounting the stories of our lives since the last time we were together, sharing news about our families and the latest on what’s happening in our communities.
Unifor marks the 2022 International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOTB) with solidarity for people of all sexual and gender diversities.
Unifor remains resolved to continue the fight against homophobia and transphobia through social change and the fight for human rights for all.
Unifor Local 1917 Hitachi unit members in Guelph, Ont. voted 95% in favour of ratifying a three-year collective agreement that guarantees current members historic ‘no layoffs’ language for the duration of the contract.
“Congratulations to the bargaining committee for securing a great deal for Unifor members at Hitachi,” said Shane Wark, Assistant to Unifor’s National President. “With rising inflation costs, going to work without fear of layoffs hanging over workers is a huge relief.”
The deal was ratified on Sat., May 14, 2022, at an in-person meeting.
We are pleased to announce that after four long months, we have reached a tentative agreement with the Company. This agreement is unanimously recommended and endorsed by your Bargaining Committee.
We will be holding a bargaining caucus to be followed by ratification meetings.
The dates of these meetings and how they will be conducted will be communicated as soon as we make the arrangements.
Moving forward we have agreed to revoke the notice to the Company regarding the recall of T/Managers.
TORONTO – The Air Line Pilots Association International (ALPA), Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), and Unifor are launching a public campaign calling on the Government of Canada to secure the safe return of five Canadians who have been arbitrarily imprisoned in the Dominican Republic after reporting a crime they were not involved in.
MONTREAL– Unifor reached a tentative agreement on May 14 with Resolute Forest Products, the company targeted to renegotiate the industry’s pattern contract.
“In the current context of labour shortages and soaring inflation, it was necessary to ensure competitive and attractive working conditions, which was our main challenge,” said Renaud Gagné, Quebec Director of Unifor and union spokesperson at the bargaining table. “We are confident we have reached the best possible agreement under the circumstances. It’s now up to the members.”
THUNDER BAY– Long-term care workers, families of residents, community members banded together for the Thunder Bay LTC Day of Action.
“Our heroes in health care are burnt out and struggling to keep up in long-term care homes,” said Katha Fortier, Assistant to Unifor’s National President. “PSWs and other workers who have worked through what can only be described as a humanitarian crisis are leaving the industry in droves. Fortier continues” Poor compensation, lack of full time work and COVID-19 have just made a bad situation worse.”
As your bargaining team, we will always report the information that members need, both the good and the bad.
This past week, the union and the company made movement on some important issues, including the definition of small business customers. Additionally, we have come to an agreement on permanent enhancements to occupational health and safety.
Investment in Atlantic Canada remains a top priority for Unifor as we head into the next week of bargaining on May 24, 2022.
Mediation failed today after B.C. Transit’s third-party contractor PW Transit was unwilling to collaborate with workers on aroadmap to wage parity, says Unifor.
TORONTO –Pilots are objecting to a new Sunwing Airlines policy that stops paying them if flights are stuck on the tarmac due to long line-ups at airport customs.
“If pilots are onboard, they’re working and they deserve to be paid,” said Scott Doherty, Executive Assistant to the Unifor National President.
In other Canadian airlines, pilots from long-haul international flights have mostly been staying onboard with pay, while short-haul pilots have been getting off their aircrafts.
TORONTO–Unifor school bus driver members have achieved wage gains and improved guaranteed hours in a new three-year collective agreement with Stock Transportation.
“This new contract addresses key priorities for our drivers, including wages, paid time for pre and post trip duties and fairer scheduling,” said Unifor Ontario Regional Director Naureen Rizvi.
The 500 members of Local 4268, who predominantly provide transportation services for special needs students in the Toronto area, voted to ratify the new contract on May 10, 2022.
Unifor called on the Biden’s top trade officials to put an end to aggressive and unfair trade policies affecting Canadian workers at an in-person Roundtable on Labour and Trade with United States Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Katherine Tai, Canada’s Minister of International Trade Mary Ng and Minister of Labour Seamus O’Regan,
This column originally appeared in the Toronto Star on May 7, 2022
The price of food, gasoline and other consumer goods is rising fast — faster, it seems, than most workers’ wages can keep up. Average prices rose by 6.7% last month, compared with the year prior. Average wages, on the other hand, fell by 1.6%.
Most economists seem confounded by the root cause of inflation.
Unifor continues to stand with workers across the country and around the globe in recognizing and celebrating the outstanding contributions of nurses during National Nursing Week. Nurses across the nation need our support and solidarity like never before.
“As a union we need provincial governments to immediately correct this and other wrongdoings of the past and invest in health care,” said Assistant to the National President Katha Fortier, who is also a nurse and is responsible for overseeing health care at Unifor.
Napanee, ON – Unifor is outraged after members returned to work following a nearly 6-month long strike at Napanee’s Lennox and Addington Interval House, only to be wrongfully terminated.
“The women of LAIH went on strike to improve their working conditions and the services that they deliver. To be met with these unfair and unjustified terminations upon return to work is shameful behaviour from an employer that claims to espouse equity and justice,” said Katha Fortier, Unifor Assistant to the National President.
The National Executive Board met on Friday, May 6, 2022 to discuss a number of items but specifically the ongoing issues around the Special Convention.
During this meeting a motion was presented and adopted by the National Executive Board to not hold a Special Convention prior to the already scheduled Constitutional Convention on August 8-12, 2022. The Constitutional Convention will determine the next National President of Unifor.
WHISTLER—Unifor and the employer have jointly agreed to resume negotiations with mediator Dave Schaub on Wednesday, May 11, 2022 to seek a resolution to the 14-week transit strike in the Sea to Sky corridor.
“Transit workers have demonstrated incredible determination over the last three months,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director. “We will enter these new negotiations in good faith and will continue to bargain for fair compensation.”
By Navjeet Sidhu, National Representative, Research Department
As Ontario heads towards a June 2nd election, there are increasing concerns regarding the growing lack of income security and affordability in the province.
Recap: Your National bargaining committee came together in Toronto to begin negotiations with the company from April 4–8, 2022. We were able to sign off on some amount of non-monetary proposals, all monetary proposals remain unresolved. The employer took a very aggressive position in their opening few passes and the bargaining committee remains committed to fend off the concessions.
TORONTO–Unifor Local 4268 has reached a tentative agreement with Stock Transportation on behalf of 500 school bus drivers in the Toronto Area, averting strike action.
“I congratulate the bargaining committee on negotiating a tentative agreement for these frontline workers who provide such a vital service to students across Toronto,” said Unifor Ontario Regional Director Naureen Rizvi. “As Ontario’s school bus driver union, Unifor will continue to address key issues including wages and uncompensated duties and to work to raise standards for drivers across the sector.”
“We’re asking members, and all voters, not to let Doug Ford speak for them in this election,” said Unifor Ontario Regional Director Naureen Rizvi. “Time and time again, Ford and his conservatives have let workers down. In this election, we’re not going to fall for his projection of a worker-friendly image.”
Members of the Forestry Council Executive met in person for the first time in more than two years to prepare for upcoming sector challenges and opportunities and planning the upcoming Forestry Council ahead of Convention in August.
“Unifor represents forestry workers from coast to coast, and each environment and region has its own unique challenges,” said Yves Guérette, Chair of the Unifor Forestry Council. “From invasive species and increasing wildfires to protecting wildlife and habitats, forestry can be part of many solutions if implemented and practiced wisely.”
Renaud Gagné presented a detailed report of the union’s main actions over the past months. It was his last report to the Quebec Council as Quebec Director.
With the continuing labour dispute at Ash Grove, numerous ongoing issues affecting our groups, government lobbying, bargaining files and internal affairs, it was clear to the delegates that our union is just as active as ever, pandemic or no pandemic.
Gagné naturally seized the occasion to acknowledge the members and thank them for their support.
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