Government and Democracy

TORONTO – Unifor says yesterday’s announcement by the federal government to forge a path forward with Google by implementing the Online News Act and keeping local and national news content accessible for Canadians is encouraging, and the union eagerly awaits to see the finalized regulations.

WINNIPEG—Workers’ rights and fixing health care were among the top priorities outlined in the Manitoba Speech from the Throne.

The event was witnessed in person by Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle and several members who were active in the campaign to unseat former PC leader Heather Stefanson in the October 3 election.

The ninth Unifor B.C. Regional Council opened with remarks from Alec Dan from the Musqueum band. His family, the Wolf Pack dancers, performed a welcome song and Dan described the history of the territory on which the Council was being held.

VANCOUVER—Unifor members from across British Columbia will march in downtown Vancouver to demand the federal Liberal government make good on its promise to ban scabs from labour disputes.

“Scabs have no place in Canadian workplaces,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director. “In order to ensure workers can bargain for a better standard of living, we need anti-scab legislation now. Workers have waited for the Liberals long enough.”

What: March and rally to demand federal anti-scab legislation

Op-ed originally published in the Toronto Star on Oct. 4, 2023

Lana Payne and Rob Wildeboer

The Bank of Canada has raised the interest rate 10 times in 18 months. It’s the steepest rate hiking campaign in modern history. It’s time to hold fire.

The fact is inflation has come down quite dramatically in that time period from 8.1% in June of last year to 4% this August. Remove mortgage interest and volatile energy costs from the data and recent inflation is tracking at about 2.3% - let’s face it, the battle is pretty much over.

Unifor Local 191 member Tracy Schmidt is running for the Manitoba NDP in the battleground provincial riding of Rossmere in northeast Winnipeg.

Schmidt started her labour career with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers. After going back to school to become a labour and employment lawyer, she became a staff lawyer for another union in Winnipeg.

Historically, Rossmere has voted for the party that has gone on to form government, so close races like this one are targets for Unifor’s provincial election effort, especially with a member running for office.

TORONTO – Unifor is calling on the federal government and industry stakeholders to support changes to improve conditions for road transport drivers and make roads safer for all drivers.

“Low pay and unsafe conditions force drivers to take enormous risks in order to make ends meet. While this might make sense for the narrow interests of corporate shareholders, it is a disaster for everyone else,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.