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Bargaining Update

On Tuesday, November 27 , Unifor Local 103's Bargaining Committee officially opened negotiations with the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission (ONTC) to renew and amend our five collective agreements. All five agreements expire on December 31, 2018.

"Your bargaining committee has never been so determined to make reasonable gains in all our Unifor Collective Agreements at Ontario Northland,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.  

MEDIA ADVISORY - Unifor press conference

November 27, 2018

Following a meeting with the Prime Minister Trudeau about the GM restructuring announcement, Unifor President Jerry Dias will hold a press conference.

WHAT:               Unifor President Jerry Dias media availability following meeting with Prime Minister Trudeau.

WHERE:            The Charles Lynch Press Theatre (130-S)

WHEN:              1:45 p.m. Tuesday November 27, 2018

WHO:                Jerry Dias, National President of Unifor

MEDIA ADVISORY - Unifor press conference

November 26, 2018

Unifor will hold a press conference this afternoon in response to the GM restructuring announcement and its impact on the GM Oshawa Assembly Plant.

WHAT:            Unifor media conference on GM restructuring

WHERE:         Unifor Local 222, 1425 Phillip Murray Ave, Oshawa, ON

WHEN:            2:00 p.m. Monday, November 26, 2018

WHO:              Jerry Dias, National President of Unifor, Colin James, President of Local 222,

Unifor statement on Oshawa GM plant

November 25, 2018

OSHAWA - Unifor received notification today from General Motors that the company will make a major announcement tomorrow that will impact its global operations.

While the union does not have complete details of the overall announcement we have been informed that, as of now, there is no product allocated to the Oshawa Assembly Plant past December 2019.

Based on commitments made during 2016 contract negotiations, Unifor does not accept this announcement and is immediately calling on GM to live up to the spirit of that agreement.

Ontario’s party of the privileged exposed

The recent fall economic statement from Ontario’s Conservative government came straight out of the ring-wing playbook, and should serve as a warning across Canada about the dangers of populists who pretend to speak for working people, but serve the privileged.

Unifor joins Don’t Let Go Canada coalition in support of long-term space sector strategy

November 23, 2018

Toronto – Unifor has joined the Don’t Let Go Canada coalition calling on the federal government to develop a long-term space strategy.

“The federal government was an early investor in the iconic Canadarm and RADARSAT Technologies,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Our space sector can have a strong future, but just as in the past, it will require dedicated funding and a long-term strategy.”

Widow of GE Worker Wins 24 Year-Old Claim

After multiple denials, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board concedes that toxic chemicals played a key role in the premature death of an Ontario...

Canada’s largest media union welcomes help for local news

November 21, 2018

TORONTO – The union representing 12,000 Canadian journalists and media workers welcomes Finance Minister Bill Mourneau’s announcement of $600 million in aid for financially struggling news organizations.

“The new labour tax credit for local journalism is what’s been needed to help save local news,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor’s National President.

Unifor condemns Progressive Conservatives' attack on workers’ rights

TORONTO- Unifor calls for increased opposition to the PC’s anti-worker agenda following adoption of Bill 47.

“Since the PCs tabled this Bill, the workers of Ontario have made it undeniably clear what our position is. Bill 47 was designed to steal the rights and benefits of working people, and hand them back to big business as profits,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “PC MPPs were asked to do the right thing and vote no, but instead they turned their backs on the people of Ontario.”

Unifor B.C. Council starts with activist momentum

Unifor members from across British Columbia are gathering at the Hyatt Regency Hotel to discuss current issues in workers’ rights and make strategic plans for the year ahead.

“From fighting for a higher minimum wage to tireless work for electoral reform in British Columbia, our members are leaders on the front lines of change,” said Joie Warnock, Unifor Western Regional Director.

Over 500 Unifor members approve Mill and Woodlands deals with Domtar

DRYDEN – More than 500 Unifor members in the Dryden-based Domtar Pulp Mill and Woodlands operations have voted overwhelmingly in favour of new four-year collective agreements.

“Unifor has made it a priority to raise and equalize standards in the pulp and paper sector,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “I’m pleased to say that both of these contracts achieve the Eastern Canada Pulp and Paper Pattern established by our union in April.”

Trans Day of Remembrance

Unifor unites with a growing movement around the world in acknowledging November 20 as the Trans Day of Remembrance (TDOR). November 20 is a day of mourning, as our union comes together to recognize those whose lives have been taken due to anti-trans violence.

We mourn the lives lost and stand alongside trans members and their families as they seek to live with the dignity, safety and freedom that we all need and deserve.

Trans rights are human rights. No person should be subject to discrimination, intimidation or violence because of their gender expression or identity.

MEDIA ADVISORY: CN Drivers protest unsanitary washrooms and unsafe working conditions

Members of Unifor Local 4003 who drive trucks to transport containers for Canadian National Transportation Limited are holding an information picket protesting unacceptable working conditions at the Brampton rail yard.

“This protest is about access to sanitary washrooms and respect in the workplace,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Our members have had enough and are taking a stand against this employer.”

Unifor denounces Ford cuts to Francophone services

November 19, 2018

TORONTO – Unifor denounces cuts to Francophone services, after confirmation that Premier Doug Ford will stand by his government’s decision to abolish the Office of the French Language Services Commissioner and cancel plans to build a Francophone university.

Unifor deeply opposes Ontario PC vote to deny the existence of trans people

November 19, 2018

TORONTO – Unifor expresses grave concern following a vote by members of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party voicing support for the removal of gender identity from Ontario’s sex-ed curriculum.

“This shameful resolution shows that Doug Ford would rather appease a small faction of his party than uphold the human rights of trans students in Ontario,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “Ford’s Government has already enacted this transphobia by repealing comprehensive sex-ed.”

More gains for Unifor hotel workers as fifth group ratifies agreement

November 16, 2018

TORONTO—Unifor members at the Delta Hotels Toronto Airport & Conference Centre are the fifth Local 7575 unit to negotiate significant improvements this fall.

“We are making significant progress turning more precarious casual and part-time jobs into full-time jobs,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Now that Doug Ford is stripping workers of basic rights, creating secure full-time work in Ontario’s hospitality industry is even more important.”

Ford Government fall economic statements fails to lift workers

TORONTO – The Progressive Conservative’s fall economic update is a clear signal that austerity measures are coming to Ontario.

“Doug Ford’s economic plan won’t lift Ontario working families out of poverty, it will take them back to the days of Mike Harris,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “Like Harris, Doug Ford is hiding austerity measures under the guise of efficiencies.”

Council of Nursing Unions to Defer Outstanding Issues to Arbitrator

The Nova Scotia Council of Nursing Unions (NSNU, NSGEU, CUPE and Unifor) and the Employer group have completed collective bargaining and are referring all remaining matters in dispute to Arbitrator William Kaplan. Mr. Kaplan was named as mediator-arbitrator for all Acute Care, collective agreements in an agreement that was ratified by a large majority of workers in May of this year.