Bargaining

HALIFAX-Health Support workers have ratified a new collective agreement with the Nova Scotia Health Authority and the IWK, with the largest increases for the lowest-paid workers whose wage scales will now reach $20 per hour.

With the ratification of their very first collective agreement, workers at Cabot Manufacturing in Point Tupper, Nova Scotia are looking forward to a more reasonable pay structure and greater health and safety measures.

“The group at Cabot Manufacturing is a great example of the recent resurgence in workers unionizing to better protect and enforce their rights at work,” said Jennifer Murray, Unifor Atlantic Regional Director. “I send my congratulations to the bargaining committee for the strong work in achieving this solid first agreement.”

TORONTO —Unifor members from across the Greater Toronto Area will join striking GDI Services workers on picket lines at Durham College campuses on Tuesday, September 6, 2022.
 
“GDI is using scab workers to perform the cleaning duties of the workers who maintained health standards for students and faculty during the pandemic,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “These workers earn $16.05 an hour and are fighting for economic justice. Unifor will not tolerate the use of scabs and will utilize the full power of our union to support our striking members.”  

Montreal, August 31, 2022 – To the sound of whistles and trumpets, more than a hundred members of Quebec and Ontario local unions, FTQ-affiliated unions, FTQ regional councils as well as Alexandre Boulerice, NDP MP for Rosemont-La Petit-Patrie, gathered yesterday morning in front of Bell Media’s offices in Montreal, in support of workers at Bell Technical Solutions.

TORONTO––Loomis Express workers in eight provinces have reached a tentative agreement with the company, avoiding a strike set to begin after midnight tonight. 

“This tentative agreement leverages the power of a national union to set and raise standards across the country while allowing for provincial nuances in the operations," said Lana Payne, Unifor National President."I congratulate the bargaining committee for coming together to reach a deal that addresses key concerns of members.”

Some 70 workers at GDI Services – which provides cleaning services for Durham College’s Whitby and Oshawa campuses in Ontario – went on strike on Wed., Aug. 24, 2022.

“During the pandemic, these workers were asked to put their health and lives on the line to keep educational facilities clean,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “They deserve a respectful living wage and economic dignity.”

VERNON/SALMON ARM, BC—Unifor Local 114 members at First Canada in Vernon and the Shuswap Communities, in B.C. have voted overwhelmingly to strike if a fair collective agreement cannot be negotiated in the coming weeks.

“As we saw in the Sea to Sky region, transit workers are determined to achieve collective agreements that reflect their contribution to local economies,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director.

OSHAWA—Wage gains and new positions are highlights of a new collective agreement ratified Sunday by Unifor Local 222 members working at Durham Regional Transit (DRT).

“The committee achieved improvements to transit workers’ work-life balance,” said Len Poirier, Unifor National Secretary-Treasurer. “This contract looks to the future of public transportation in Durham from the perspective of job security and improving the experience for community members.”

WINNIPEG—The bargaining committee for Unifor members at Manitoba Hydro have signed a tentative agreement.

“Unifor members on the front-lines of gas services have earned a fair contract,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “Public services workers were essential to the economy during COVID-19 and their contracts must reflect that.”

Details of the tentative agreement will be released following the membership ratification votes to be held during the coming week.

Members of Unifor Local 681 have been on rotating strikes since June 17, 2022.