All News

Conservative ad highlights government failures

TORONTO, May 25, 2015 /CNW/ - Using footage of the Camaro production line in Oshawa in a Conservative TV ad shows just how out of touch the Harper Government is with the challenges facing this country, the union representing the workers who make the Camaro says.

"Sitting back while good jobs leave the country is not proven leadership," Unifor National President Jerry Dias said after the ad was released on YouTube.

Paramedic Services Week May 24-30, 2015

Paramedics, as emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, bring tremendous dedication, skill and commitment to their jobs as first responders. Paramedics are the highest medical authority on all pre-hospital medical emergencies and are frequently called upon to perform lifesaving skills from the point of patient contact until the transfer of care at the receiving medical facility.

During Paramedic Services Week May 24-30, 2015, Unifor is repeating calls for strong legislation to help paramedics cope with consequences of an often traumatic job.

School bus strike notice for Bowmanville

TORONTO, May 25, 2015 /CNW/ - Following months of contract talks complicated by provincial procurement policies, Unifor has served formal strike notice to the First Student school bus company that drivers in Bowmanville will go on strike Thursday at noon if no deal is reached before then.

School bus strike averted in Owen Sound-Wiarton

TORONTO, May 23, 2015 /CNW/ - Unifor members have ratified a new contract with First Student school bus company, serving schools in the Owen Sound and Wiarton areas, as well as city bus drivers in Owen Sound, averting a strike due to start Sunday.

"We are to have a deal that addresses the drivers' top concerns," said Unifor Staff Representative Len Poirier.

Women in Skilled Trades and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Occupations

Unifor welcomes the invitation to make a submission concerning women in skilled trades and STEM occupations. Unifor represents 305,000 workers in Canada from coast to coast to coast. Over 40,000 of our members can be found in the skilled trades. They work in trades in every major sector of the economy.

We also have a significant number of our members working in science, technology, engineering and mathematics in sectors such as health care, aerospace, universities and telecommunications.

School bus strike averted, notice given in Owen Sound-Wiarton

TORONTO, May 21, 2015 /CNW/ - Unifor has ratified a new contract with First Student school bus company, serving the Bluewater District School Board along the Lake Huron shoreline, averting a strike due to start today.

"We are happy to have reached this deal," said Unifor Staff Representative Len Poirier. "We were able to make improvements, despite a bidding process for school bus contracts in this province that makes such negotiations difficult."

GardaWorld locks out workers in Ottawa

OTTAWA, May 19, 2015 /CNW/ - GardaWorld has locked out Unifor Local 4266 members in Ottawa, after contract negotiations fell apart. GardaWorld issued its lock-out notice on May 15. 

Health care workers win wage increases

TORONTO, May 19, 2015 /CNW/ - Members of Unifor Locals 229 and 1359 ratified a collective agreement with the Ontario Hospital Association, with a vote of more than 80% in favour of the agreement.

The agreement includes annual wage increases and benefit enhancements, in addition to other gains for a variety of hospital service, clerical and paramedical workers in northern hospitals.

Unifor salutes Personal Support Workers

TORONTO, May 19, 2015 /CNW/ - In celebration of Personal Support Worker Day, today, Unifor salutes the contributions of the thousands of Unifor members employed as Personal Support Workers.  Personal support workers are critical front line care providers in our health care system and the largest group of health care workers in Ontario's long-term care and home care sector. 

Ariva workers win wage increases

TORONTO, May 15, 2015 /CNW/ - Members of Unifor Local 1291 have voted in favour of a new collective agreement. The members work for Ariva, a division of Domtar.

The agreement includes annual wage increases, in addition to other gains. It achieves all key elements of Unifor's Eastern Canada Pulp and Paper Pattern.

School bus strike notice

TORONTO, May 14, 2015 /CNW/ - After months of negotiations, Unifor has served formal strike notice to the First Student school bus company that its drivers serving the Bluewater District School Board and the Bruce Power plant will go on strike next Thursday if no deal is reached before then.

Unifor helping Bombardier members

TORONTO, May 14, 2015 /CNW/ - Unifor will meet with its members at Bombardier and company executives to discuss the impact of layoffs announced this morning, and to safeguard the interests of its members.

"Unifor is here for the membership, and we will do all we can for them through this process," said Scott McIlmoyle, President of Unifor Local 112, which represents production workers at Bombardier's Downsview plant.

Personal Support Worker (PSW) Day

In celebration of Personal Support Worker Day on May 19th, 2015 Unifor salutes the contributions of the thousands of Unifor members employed as Personal Support Workers.  Personal support workers are critical front line care providers in our health care system and the largest group of health care workers in Ontario’s long-term care and home care sector. 

International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia

Unifor calls on everyone to join us in recognizing May 17th as the International day against Homophobia and Transphobia. This day serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggles of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-identified communities as we renew our commitment to the continued struggle for justice. Homophobia and transphobia continue to take hold in both explicit ways, and in ways that are subtle, discreet and often invisible.

Speakers Announced

Unifor Workers of Diversity Conference is just around the corner...

GardaWorld workers fight concessions

OTTAWA, May 13, 2015 /CNW/ - Armoured car workers at GardaWorld issued a strike notice on Monday, and will walk off the job on Thursday May 14th at 3:45pm unless the company returns to the bargaining table with an improved offer.     

Alan Borovoy, 1932-2015

Alan Borovoy, a determined and generous advocate for civil liberties in Canada, made Canada a more just place. Alan’s death is a great loss to our country.

A Public Child Care System: Good for Parents, Children, Workers & the Economy

The establishment of a review of the regulated child care sector in the province by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is an indication of the government’s willingness to improve the system. Unifor supports the Department’s stated goals of the review: to make child care more accessible to families, enhance the quality of child care programs and support the development of the child care workforce.