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Unifor outraged at extreme police escalation at Co-op Refinery

REGINA−After hundreds of Unifor members from across Canada came out to peacefully support locked out Co-op Refinery workers, the Regina Police chose to escalate the situation with heavy handed and extreme tactics, including the arrest of Unifor National President Jerry Dias and Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle.

Unifor 4304 President available to speak with media on GRT picket line

KITCHENER- Tim Jewell, Unifor Local 4304 President, will be available to speak with media as Grand River Transit employees begin strike action Tuesday morning.

“Job action is always a last resort. Transit workers face difficult working conditions, and our members are united in our goal of reaching a fair contract with Grand River Transit,” said Jewell.

Where:                 Unifor 4304 picket line, 250 Strasburg Rd, Kitchener, ON N2E 3M6

When:                  8:15 a.m., Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Unifor members set to strike at GRT

KITCHENER – Unifor Local 4304 members working at Grand River Transit are preparing to begin strike action after rejecting the tentative agreement negotiated with the transit service last week.

“The membership has made a very strong statement today that GRT must do better at the bargaining table,” said Local 4304 Local President Tim Jewell.

Unifor members set to strike at GRT

KITCHENER – Unifor Local 4304 members working at Grand River Transit are preparing to begin strike action after rejecting the tentative agreement negotiated with the transit service last week.

“The membership has made a very strong statement today that GRT must do better at the bargaining table,” said Local 4304 Local President Tim Jewell.

Unifor reaches tentative deal with Air Canada

TORONTO— Unifor Local 2002, the union representing customer service agents in call centres and airports, customer journey management and customer relations representatives have reached a tentative agreement with Air Canada. “Congratulations to the bargaining committee, who have worked tirelessly for more than a year to reach a fair deal for our hard-working members at Air Canada,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.

NL workers deserve better than poverty wages

Linda MacNeil, Unifor Atlantic Regional Director

Employers that refuse to offer workers an hourly wage of at least $15 are sentencing their employees to poverty.

The Executive Director of the Employer’s Council of Newfoundland and Labrador, Richard Alexander, recently called a $15 an hour minimum wage an “extreme policy”.

Come to Regina

Unifor is asking all locals across Canada to send as many members as possible to Regina starting January 19, 2020.

Unifor and GRT reach deal on new collective agreement

KITCHENER – Unifor Local 4304 and Grand River Transit have negotiated a tentative collective agreement, averting a strike at the transit utility.

“This new collective agreement ­addresses the top concerns of members and ensures that the buses will be on the road Tuesday morning,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias, who was at the talks Monday.

Canadian air traffic controllers reach tentative deal

OTTAWA—Unifor Local 5454 members who work as Canadian air traffic controllers have reached a tentative agreement with Nav Canada. “I congratulate the bargaining team for remaining united throughout this round of negotiations,” said Jerry Dias Unifor National President. “The skill shown by the bargaining team and their tenacity in reaching this tentative agreement is inspiring.” The tentative agreement will be presented to the members for ratification votes over the course of the next week.

Unifor National President to address media on GRT talks

KITCHENER – Unifor National President Jerry Dias will update the media Monday morning on the ongoing contract talks between Unifor Local 4304 and Grand River Transit. 

Dias will meet with the Local’s bargaining team that morning as they prepare for a day of bargaining ahead of a strike deadline one minute after midnight that night, and then address the media.

PWHPA Dream Gap Tour returns to Toronto

The Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association (PWHPA) Dream Gap Tour will return to Toronto January 11-12, 2020 with a six-game tournament.

Update for Northern Pulp Unifor Members

Since Premier Stephen McNeil’s announcement on December 20, Unifor has met with company and government officials to determine next steps for workers at Northern Pulp, Local 440.

Premier McNeil throws away 2,700 rural jobs in Nova Scotia

December 20, 2019

HALIFAX – Unifor members at Northern Pulp are devastated following the announcement by Premier McNeil that he will not allow enough time for the company to complete the regulatory assessment requested by his own government.

Unifor blasts Nova Scotia Environment decision as an “irresponsible” delay

HALIFAX - Unifor is deeply concerned about the high likelihood of widespread job loss across rural Nova Scotia following the Minister of Environment’s request for yet another series of studies on the Northern Pulp effluent treatment facility (ETF) project leading up to the Boat Harbour deadline.

Unifor encouraged by CUSMA improvements

December 10, 2019 TORONTO – Unifor is encouraged by announced amendments to the CUSMA, which clear the path to ratification of a deal to replace the damaging NAFTA trade agreement. “NAFTA has been a train-wreck of a trade deal for 25 years, causing great harm to Canada’s manufacturing industries and the rights of workers,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “The new CUSMA, while far from perfect, provides a road map to implement necessary changes in trade policy to benefit workers.

Unifor disappointed by Regina Police Service siding with Co-op Refinery to push through picket lines

December 10, 2019

REGINA—The Regina Police Service (RPS) has supported Co-op Refinery’s anti-union mandate by escorting vehicles through legal picket lines late Monday night, says Unifor.

“By intervening without a court order, RPS has shown not only highly questionable judgement, but also contempt for the highly-skilled workers fighting back against the company’s aggressive demand for concessions,” says Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Unifor members have kept the picket lines rock solid and respectful.”

VIA Rail Bargaining Update # 3

Dear Members,

The Unifor Council 4000 VIA bargaining committee met with VIA Rail December 3-5 in Montreal to continue negotiations on the renewal of Collective Agreements No. 1 and 2.

Talks focused on part-time workers, including the Union’s position that the Corporation is misusing the intent of part-time provisions in the collective agreements.

Bargaining for Council 4000 will recommence sometime in late January or early February. You will be notified of future dates once those are agreed upon with the Company.

Unifor Ontario Regional Council joins in solidarity with education worker unions

December 07, 2019 TORONTO – In a show of solidarity for education workers, Harvey Bischof, OSSTF President, Sam Hammond, ETFO President, Liz Stuart, OECTA President and Smokey Thomas, OPSEU President joined Unifor National President Jerry Dias at Unifor’s Ontario Regional Council today. “Together we’re sending a message to Doug Ford that when he picks a fight with one of us, he picks a fight with all of us,” said Dias. “This is personal. It’s personal when they attack our kids.” Hammond echoed the call for workers and unions to join forces.