All News

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.

Unifor Celebrates National Nursing Week

TORONTO, May 11, 2015 /CNW/ - With more than 29,500 members in the health care sector across Canada, Unifor is proud to support National Nursing Week.

"Our health care system relies on the hard work of nurses, who practice collaboratively as a vital part of a team of dedicated health providers, and it is important that we recognize and honour their work during this week – and all year," said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.

Nurses Week 2015

Nursing Week is celebrated each year throughout Canada and the world during the week of Florence Nightingale's birthday on May 12. The celebrations are a time to recognize the dedication and achievements of nurses that contribute to excellence in health care.

Budget bill latest Harper attack on workers: Unifor

TORONTO, May 9, 2015 /CNW/ - Unifor has condemned Bill C-59's blatant attacks on collective bargaining rights of workers in the federal public service.

The Budget Implementation Act, tabled earlier this week, authorizes the Treasury Board to modify collective agreements to remove sick leave and impose a short and long term disability plan outside of collective agreements. The Bill will violate the Public Service Labour Relations Act.

Bill C-377, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act (requirements for labour organizations)

Unifor is Canada’s largest private-sector trade union, but we have members in the provincial and federal public sectors as well, in virtually every industry.

We have 305,000 members in 755 local unions in every province and territory. Each of those local unions will have to comply with the reporting requirements and public disclosure requirements that are in this Bill.

We’re concerned about Bill C-377. It is a blatantly anti-union piece of legislation. It exists for no reason other than to harass and weaken unions across Canada.

Fund local programming: Unifor

TORONTO, May 7, 2015 /CNW/ - Unifor is calling on the federal Cabinet to direct the CRTC to develop a new funding formula for local television programming, including ethnic programming, saying today's job cuts at Rogers show why such action is needed.

Refining adds stability

Upgrading and refining adds jobs and stability to the often cyclical energy sector...

Media Advisory - Coast guard base closures draw protest

VANCOUVER, May 6, 2015 /CNW/ - The Harper government will close the Vancouver Marine Communication and Traffic Services Centre (MCTS) today, the fourth base to be closed by the government in 2015. Coast guard officers and a diverse group of Metro Vancouver organizations will hold a rally today to protest the closure.

NDP victory will benefit working Albertans

EDMONTON, May 5, 2015 /CNW/ - The election of an NDP government will bring much-needed change after years of deteriorating public services and a weak economy under Alberta's Conservatives.

Media Advisory - Fourth coast guard base to close on Wednesday

VANCOUVER, May 5, 2015 /CNW/ - Tomorrow the Harper government will close the Vancouver Marine Communication and Traffic Services Centre (MCTS), the fourth base to be closed by the government in 2015. Coast guard officers and a diverse group of Metro Vancouver organizations will hold a rally to protest the closure.

Donations for Nepal

Unifor members are saddened and anguished over the earthquake tragedy in Nepal...

Domtar Mill and Woodlands workers make progress in new agreement

TORONTO, May 1, 2015 /CNW/ - More than 550 Unifor members in the Dryden-based Domtar Pulp Mill and Woodlands operations have ratified new collective agreements in overwhelmingly positive votes held late last night of 80 and 97 per cent in favour.

World Press Freedom Day 2015

This is turning out to be another deadly year for journalists around the world.

Already in 2015, 44 journalists have been murdered or died in crossfire killings, according to the International Federation of Journalists’ chilling Kill List. That’s 44 men and women killed on the job –  too often killed just for doing their job.

It is for them that we mark World Press Freedom Day this Sunday, May 3.

The year barely began when Moises Sanchez Cerezo, editor of La Union newspaper in Mexico, was abducted from his home and killed, his body dumped in the countryside.

Unifor takes demonstration for good jobs to the Edmonton International Airport

EDMONTON, April 27, 2015 /CNW/ - Negotiations between Unifor and Air Canada have broken down over Air Canada's plan to outsource jobs at Toronto's Pearson International Airport. Unifor has taken its protest on the road with a march through the Edmonton International Airport today around 4:30 pm.