Today, May 1, 2019 Unifor joins nations around the world to mark International Workers’ Day or May Day. We express our solidarity with our sisters and brothers across the globe who are protesting and demanding better working conditions for everyone. We are all fighting the same battle and when we unite in that fight, it only strengthens our message.
This year in particular, Unifor is engaged in several major fightback campaigns. We refuse to stand idly by while companies rake in profits on the backs of workers whose rights and jobs are under constant threat.
VANCOUVER – Unifor applauds B.C.’s NDP government for new laws that will end contract flipping by employers.
“Many of our members have lost their jobs because of this heartless, money grab by employers,” said Unifor President Jerry Dias. “We commend the BC NDP for changing the labour code to ensure greater stability in the workplace.”
The changes mean that workers who have built up fair wages and job security over years of hard work and dedication do not see those stripped away when contracts are re-tendered.
Toronto – The passing of Bill 74 will strengthen Unifor’s commitment in fighting for Ontarians and against Doug Ford’s health care privatization and cuts.
“By passing Bill 74, Doug Ford has made it clear that he has an agenda of cutting and privatizing our healthcare system in Ontario,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “This regressive law has the potential to destroy our public health care system. Unifor is committed to building a major fightback campaign against Ford’s privatization plan.”
Unifor joins Sri Lankans in their grief as they mourn the more than 300 people who were killed in multiple explosions on Sunday. At least 500 others were wounded in the attacks, which Sri Lanka’s government has blamed on a local jihadist group called the National Thowheed Jamath, though that is not yet confirmed.
“We condemn these horrific attacks, that targeted churches and hotels in the country’s minority Christian communities as they celebrated a religious holiday,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.
VANCOUVER—Unifor’s efforts are paying off for container truck drivers in B.C.’s lower mainland as the Horgan government introduces a suite of changes that will make work better for more than 1,700 truckers and help to stabilize the industry.
HALIFAX – Nearly 200 Unifor members at Tandus Carpets manufacturing facility in Truro, NS, are in shock after they were told Tuesday afternoon their facility will close as work is shifted to the United States.
Edmonton – Unifor pledges to continue building progressive organizing in Alberta following the election of a majority United Conservative Party (UCP) government. “Through a difficult and heated election, voters made it clear that they were worried about the future of good jobs for Albertans,” said Unifor President Jerry Dias. “If implemented, Jason Kenney’s plan will threaten good jobs in the energy sector and will mean outright cuts to public sector jobs in education and healthcare.
Calgary – Workers from Alberta’s oil sands and Unifor members who are worried about the future of the industry if the UCP forms government will be campaigning in support of the NDP today. Photo and interview opportunities are available while they door knock and engage voters, in a last minute push to support NDP candidates before the election.
CALGARY - Workers from Alberta’s energy sector are calling on oil sands company executives to speak out about the threat Jason Kenney’s policies represent to the future of the oil sands.
“The CEOS and executives at Alberta’s biggest oil sands companies know the NDP got it right,” said Kim Conway, Chair of Unifor’s Energy Council.
CALGARY - Workers from the front lines of the energy sector are calling on the oil companies to speak out about the serious threat Kenney’s policies will have on their future. They know that the industry must change. Diversification is the only way it will survive and the NDP’s plan will save Alberta from economic ruination in the energy sector.
The oil patch CEOs know it too. Suncor’s CEO once said, “Kenney’s approach of ignoring what our potential customers really want puts both investment and jobs at risk.”
TORONTO – Ford’s first budget threatens future growth and prosperity with dramatic tightening of public service spending and lack of leadership on manufacturing.
"Conservatives have failed to reflect the priorities of working families in Ontario,” said Naureen Rizvi, Unifor Ontario Regional Director. “Essentially freezing government spending on education, health and social services won’t go unnoticed in public services that are already underfunded and in dire need of core funding.”
Unifor is Canada’s largest private sector union with over 310,000 members across Canada. Approximately 160,000 of our members live and work in Ontario. Over a third of our members are women, with the majority of these women working in Ontario. They work in every major sector of the economy and in a whole range of occupations including nurses, pilots, retail and service workers, manufacturers and education workers. We are able to make comparisons and observations about working conditions, opportunities and wages rates given our breadth of membership.
