General Manufacturing

KANATA, ONT.—Unifor and the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) will hold a solidarity rally on July 15 at the Best Theratronics Kanata facility, after Unifor members have remained steady on the picket line for 75 days, without any resolution in sight.

TORONTO—Workers at Nestle have ratified a new three-year contract today with the chocolate maker that has significant bumps in wages, pensions, and health benefits, ending a strike that began on May 5.

“Congratulations to the bargaining committee for their tenacious work in securing this deal, which protects members from precarious work and provides them and their families some cushion from the affordability crisis we’re in,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

STONEY CREEK—Unifor is extremely concerned about Waste Management Canada Corp. (WM) using managers and outside workers as scab labour and creating safety concerns.

“It is clear by the company’s actions that they will resort to any means necessary to try to bust our strike and demands for a fair collective agreement,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “WM’s use of unqualified scabs creates a dangerous work environment, and it is our concern as a union that health and safety is at risk as a result.”

KANATA, Ont.—Members of Unifor Local 1541 who work at Best Theratronics – a company in Kanata, Ont. that manufactures medical devices – went on strike this morning after the company refused to budge on major concessions, including a proposed two-year contract with zero wage increases.

“We are dealing with an affordability crisis right now and having zeros on the table is untenable for our members, with the rising cost of living,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

Unifor is thrilled its Fund Durham Region Transit campaign propelled Durham Regional Council to reaffirm its dedication to working towards fully funding the 127% service growth needed – or 625,000 hours – for its transit system by 2032.

The 135 Unifor members working at the Agropur Dairy Cooperative production plant in Bedford, N.S. have signed a new five-year contract that has wage increases of over 16.4% over the life of the agreement, including a 5% pay bump in the first year.

Unifor Local 27 members have ratified a new three-year agreement with their manufacturing employer, Masco Canada in St. Thomas, Ont. on March 5.

 “Congratulations to the bargaining committee for their dedicated hard work negotiating a fair contract for our manufacturing members,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Every step towards making a workplace more inclusive is a move in the right direction.”

WINDSOR – The 317 members of Unifor Local 195 employed by Jamieson have ratified a new collective agreement, ending a 34-day strike.

“Congratulations to the bargaining committee for holding steady during some difficult negotiations and fighting for a contract their members could support,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

“As well, my sincere thanks to our members and their families, for showing up on the picket line, day in and day out, remaining strong in your resolve and solidarity.” 

Unifor members at Local 542 have unanimously voted in favour of a new three-year agreement with their manufacturing employer, Euramax, in Barrie, Ont.

“Congratulations to the bargaining committee for negotiating a strong contract that our manufacturing members could easily get behind,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “These are wins that should be celebrated.”

Euramax Canada manufactures aluminum eavestroughs, steel, vinyl and copper products, including roof drainage systems.

Unifor members working at St Marys Cement in Bowmanville, Ont. ratified a three-year contract, securing key economic and benefit improvements.

“Local 222 members at St. Marys Cement work incredibly hard in a demanding industry,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “I congratulate the membership for ratifying a very strong collective agreement and our bargaining committee for making so many important gains. Take pride in what you have accomplished here.