TORONTO – A survey of journalists and media worker members of Unifor has found high levels of online and in-person harassment on the job, and the problem is only getting worse.
“The results of this survey are simply devastating,” said Unifor National Secretary-Treasurer Lana Payne, a former journalist.
“We are seeing increasing attacks on media workers who are simply doing their jobs – jobs that are vital to a functioning democracy. We cannot tolerate this any longer.”
General Motors workers in Silao, Mexico have ratified a new collective agreement – the first negotiated by their CILAS/Unifor-backed independent union – that gives them a voice in the workplace for the first time, more money and improved working conditions.
VANCOUVER—B.C. Transit’s third-party contractor PW Transit failed to make enough progress on wage parity, resulting in a membership-driven rejection of Friday’s tentative agreement, says Unifor.
“Members have the final say in adopting the contract that governs their working conditions,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director. “Clearly the employer fell short in closing the gap that exists between transit workers doing the same job in Vancouver and the Sea to Sky region.”
WINNIPEG—Unifor is urging the Government of Manitoba to accelerate its plans to increase the minimum wage, calling for $15 per hour be the standard by the end of the 2022.
“Premier Heather Stefanson has conceded that it’s not okay for Manitoba’s most vulnerable workers to be paid the lowest in Canada,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director. “Stefanson has to aim higher than ‘not the worst’. Manitoba’s workers deserve fair pay and a robust system of employment standards that protect them from greedy and unethical bosses.”
TORONTO- Unifor members at Bell Technical Solutions (BTS) voted to ratify a strong collective agreement that delivers significant improvements in benefits, RRSP contributions, and wages for members across Ontario.
VANCOUVER—The bargaining committee from Unifor Local 114 has signed a tentative agreement with B.C. Transit third-party contractor PW Transit during a mediated session of negotiations today.
TORONTO – In the face of increasing harassment of journalists and media workers online, made worse by polarizing politics and the anonymity of social media, Unifor is launching a new website to help journalists and media workers get the help they need when they need it.
“The harassment journalists face on the job is simply horrific. It is often racist and misogynist, and cannot be tolerated,” said Unifor Secretary-Treasurer Lana Payne, herself a former journalist.
TORONTO—Inadequate compensation from a profitable employer drove Unifor Local 999 members to begin a legal strike at 12:01 a.m. on May 25, 2022.
“We refuse to let inflation eat into our wages,” said Jeff Gray, President of Local 999. “We are ready to negotiate a resolution but it must ensure our wages are protected.”
It’s finally happening. Premier Scott Moe is raising Saskatchewan’s minimum wage to $15 an hour. This is good news. It’s good news for workers in low-wage jobs. It’s good news for their children and their families.
It’s good news for local businesses whose customers will now have more money to spend on life’s basic necessities and the little extras that make life enjoyable.
62,000 workers in Saskatchewan currently earn less than $15 an hour for their labour. That’s roughly the population of Prince Albert and Moose Jaw combined.
Unifor thanks all paramedics for their exceptional courage and compassion on the occasion of Paramedic Services Week, which runs from May 22 to May 28, 2022.
CALGARY–GardaWorld workers at the Calgary airport voted overwhelmingly to join Canada’s largest private sector union late Thursday night.
“We’re thrilled to welcome GardaWorld workers to the Unifor family,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director. “Unifor is committed to improving working conditions and providing skilled representation during bargaining.”
There were 704 GardaWorld security agents who chose Unifor over CLAC in a representation vote held on May 16 to 19, 2022.
MONTREAL – The tentative agreement reached last weekend was ratified by 89.5% of Unifor union members working in Resolute Forest Products' paper mills.
“The result clearly shows the agreement meets the expectations of our members, which were significant in this round of negotiations,” said Renaud Gagné, Unifor Quebec Director. “And most importantly, the many gains made will help attract and maintain the workforce the industry needs.”
This new contract will now serve as a model for the entire sector. Highlights include:
EDMONTON—After Jason Kenney’s snap resignation, working people in Alberta are eager to move on to elect a new premier who will stand up for their rights and create a more equal province, says Unifor.
This weekend is one of the most significant in the Ontario Election.
With just under two weeks left until Election Day, Unifor Regional Director Naureen Rizvi encourages all members to get out this weekend to vote and volunteer to defend workers’ rights and make their voices heard.
In celebration of Personal Support Worker Day on May 19, 2022 Unifor salutes the contributions of the thousands of Unifor members who work as Personal Support Workers (PSWs) in Ontario, and Continuing Care Assistants (CCAs) in Nova Scotia.
WHISTLER—Unifor is encouraged that the employer has agreed to meet again with a mediator to negotiate an end to the 15-week-old job action at PW Transit in Squamish, Whistler, and Pemberton.
“Mediation in the context of free collective bargaining is how this dispute is going to be solved,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director. “We’re eager to get back to the bargaining table and find a resolution as soon as possible.”
TORONTO—Unifor members at Metro Distribution Centre warehouses have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a new collective agreement that delivers substantial wage increases and a groundbreaking prescription drug plan to 225 part-time workers.
“We are pleased to say this collective agreement recognizes the work and commitment these employees bring to the success of the Metro chain,” said Naureen Rizvi, Unifor Ontario Regional Director.
HALIFAX - Talks between the Health Support Bargaining Unit, led by Unifor, and Nova Scotia Health and the IWK have reached an impasse, with unions filing for conciliation in hopes of securing a new collective agreement for more than 3,000 health care workers across the province.
More than 100 members gathered in Thunder Bay on May 13-14 for the annual Northern Ontario Leadership Meeting to strategize on how to best organize and elect progressive politicians in the upcoming Ontario provincial elections.
First published in the National Post on May 17, 2022
Whenever I see old friends, the same thing happens. After the hugs and handshakes, or maybe elbow bumps, we get down to the real business of reconnecting. We start catching up — recounting the stories of our lives since the last time we were together, sharing news about our families and the latest on what’s happening in our communities.
Unifor marks the 2022 International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOTB) with solidarity for people of all sexual and gender diversities.
Unifor remains resolved to continue the fight against homophobia and transphobia through social change and the fight for human rights for all.
Unifor Local 1917 Hitachi unit members in Guelph, Ont. voted 95% in favour of ratifying a three-year collective agreement that guarantees current members historic ‘no layoffs’ language for the duration of the contract.
“Congratulations to the bargaining committee for securing a great deal for Unifor members at Hitachi,” said Shane Wark, Assistant to Unifor’s National President. “With rising inflation costs, going to work without fear of layoffs hanging over workers is a huge relief.”
The deal was ratified on Sat., May 14, 2022, at an in-person meeting.
We are pleased to announce that after four long months, we have reached a tentative agreement with the Company. This agreement is unanimously recommended and endorsed by your Bargaining Committee.
We will be holding a bargaining caucus to be followed by ratification meetings.
The dates of these meetings and how they will be conducted will be communicated as soon as we make the arrangements.
Moving forward we have agreed to revoke the notice to the Company regarding the recall of T/Managers.
TORONTO – The Air Line Pilots Association International (ALPA), Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), and Unifor are launching a public campaign calling on the Government of Canada to secure the safe return of five Canadians who have been arbitrarily imprisoned in the Dominican Republic after reporting a crime they were not involved in.
MONTREAL– Unifor reached a tentative agreement on May 14 with Resolute Forest Products, the company targeted to renegotiate the industry’s pattern contract.
“In the current context of labour shortages and soaring inflation, it was necessary to ensure competitive and attractive working conditions, which was our main challenge,” said Renaud Gagné, Quebec Director of Unifor and union spokesperson at the bargaining table. “We are confident we have reached the best possible agreement under the circumstances. It’s now up to the members.”
THUNDER BAY– Long-term care workers, families of residents, community members banded together for the Thunder Bay LTC Day of Action.
“Our heroes in health care are burnt out and struggling to keep up in long-term care homes,” said Katha Fortier, Assistant to Unifor’s National President. “PSWs and other workers who have worked through what can only be described as a humanitarian crisis are leaving the industry in droves. Fortier continues” Poor compensation, lack of full time work and COVID-19 have just made a bad situation worse.”
As your bargaining team, we will always report the information that members need, both the good and the bad.
This past week, the union and the company made movement on some important issues, including the definition of small business customers. Additionally, we have come to an agreement on permanent enhancements to occupational health and safety.
Investment in Atlantic Canada remains a top priority for Unifor as we head into the next week of bargaining on May 24, 2022.
