HALIFAX - Unifor Local 100 has served Autoport with 48-hour strike notice, positioning for strike action starting 12:01 a.m., Tuesday, February 27.
“The union remains fully committed to negotiating a fair and equitable deal for our members that address the challenging economic times,” said Lana Payne,
Unifor National President. “I am calling on the employer to return to Monday’s negotiations with a genuine intent to reach an agreement. Our members prefer to avoid a labour dispute but stand ready to act if it becomes necessary.”
Feminist organizations oppose Premier Smith’s reckless proposed restrictions on the rights, freedoms, and medical care of trans youth and their families.
We, the undersigned, strongly condemn the Government of Alberta’s planned changes to gender-affirming care, education, and sports in the province. These changes amount to an attack on trans people, and in particular trans youth.
Unifor is excited to announce that 47 workers from Goodwill Industries, Ontario Great Lakes, have voted to join Unifor, following a successful organizing campaign.
"With courage and conviction, workers at Goodwill Industries have taken a significant step towards workplace empowerment by choosing to join Unifor," said Unifor National President Lana Payne. "We extend a heartfelt welcome to these workers as they join the Unifor family, and we stand ready to support their pursuit of fair treatment and respect."
Unifor is appalled by the callous decision by Bell Canada Enterprises Inc. (BCE)to terminate 4,800 jobs – 9% of its workforce – affecting 800 Unifor members in telecommunications and media, while deliberately putting shareholders ahead of workers with increased dividend payouts.
Bell has slashed news programming, eliminating the jobs of 100 media members at newsrooms across the country. Deep cuts in telco will result in job loss for 700 members, from clerical, to sales, to the boots on the ground, with hundreds more affected by modifications in their hours of work.
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, P.C., M.P. Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
Minister Wilkinson,
On behalf of Unifor, Canada’s largest private sector union representing 315,000 members in every sector of the economy, including nearly 15,000 members working in oil and gas extraction, natural gas distribution, electric utilities, nuclear energy, and petroleum refineries, I am writing with recommendations to support the reduction of methane leakage.
HALIFAX– Unifor is mourning the tragic loss of a MWF Local 1 member at the Irving Halifax Shipyard. The worker died today following a workplace incident that is currently under investigation.
Our deepest and most heartfelt sympathies and solidarity are with our member’s family and loved ones including their Unifor family and co-workers.
Unifor is working to ensure there is full-time, onsite grief counselling services available to all shipyard workers as they process this great loss.
As we approach February 28, Pink Shirt Day, we stand firm in our commitment to fostering communities of respect and inclusivity.
Pink Shirt Day originated from an inspiring act of kindness in 2007, when a group of students in Nova Scotia rallied behind a fellow student who was bullied for wearing a pink shirt. Since then, it has grown into a global movement symbolizing our collective stand against bullying in all its forms.
Since the start of the war in Gaza, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and many affiliates around the world continue their mobilization and support through public actions for journalists and media workers in Palestine.
According to the IFJ, more than 100 journalists and media workers have been killed in four months, the equivalent to seven per week.
Quebec Director Daniel Cloutier spoke on behalf of Unifor alongside NDP MP for Elmwood-Transcona Daniel Blaikie to demand changes to Employment Insurance (EI) that currently discriminate against new parents.
“Bell has chosen to put profits over people in the middle of an affordability crisis. Bell, you have now put Unifor squarely on your path. You need to know our members recognize a fight when they see one. And so do I,” Unifor National President Lana Payne warns Bell Canada Enterprises following the termination of 4,800 workers, including 800 Unifor members in telecommunications and media.
Unifor National President Lana Payne spoke at the House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage on Feb. 15, 2024 about job cuts in the media sector, shrinking newsrooms and harassment of journalists and media workers in Canada.
Equity and inclusion work at Local 222 GM Oshawa Assembly was highlighted as Plant Chairperson Jason Gale and Employment Equity Representative/Women’s Advocate Teresa Martin invited Unifor Women’s Department Director Tracey Ramsey, and Human Rights Representative Tricia Brown to see the important changes members have driven at the GM Oshawa plant.
WILLIAMS LAKE — Wages, safety improvements, and equitable workplace accountability are priorities for Unifor Local 3018 as bargaining opens with Taseko this month.
"In the face of increasing living costs and the inherent risks associated with mining, it is imperative that our members at Gibraltar receive fair compensation, robust safety measures, and just treatment in the workplace," stated Lana Payne, Unifor National President.
After lengthy negotiations and a strike that lasted two weeks, members of Unifor Local 510 voted 93% in favor of a new collective agreement at a meeting on February 7, 2024.
Members began strike action on January 24 because the employer's wage offers were well below market standards.
"Despite the challenges encountered throughout the negotiation process, we were able to find common ground that meets the needs and concerns of our members," says Ysabel Vincelette, President of the Ro-Bus unit.
Skilled Trades delegates from across the country met to discuss issues, including shortages of Skilled Tradespeople, barriers to women entering the trades, work to expand apprenticeship programs while ensuring qualification standards, and protection of Skilled Trades work at the National Skilled Trades Council in Niagara Falls, Ontario on February 9-11.
On February 7 Unifor members refining and distributing petroleum products at the Shell refinery in Sarnia ratified a new three-year contract with a 12% wage increase over the life of the agreement.
The contract also includes improved vacation benefits and more flexibility to bank statutory holidays.
Finish Product Specialists will receive a $5,000 bonus. A one-time lump sum of $500 will be awarded to Lab Incumbents.
Wage gains and vacation improvements are highlights of a new collective agreement for Unifor Local 200 members working in the distribution and pipeline maintenance areas of Plains Midstream in Sarnia.
The three-year contract increases wages 12% over the term and improves mental health provisions. Unifor members in two categories of the wage grid will get an additional increase. The contract is retroactive to July 1, 2023 and will expire June 30, 2026.
TRENTON, Ont. - Unifor is blaming a lack of capital investment during good economic times on the decision by Cascades Containerboard to close its plant here, throwing over 100 Unifor members out of work.
“This is sadly an example of a company failing to invest when it should and now our members and their families are paying the price,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “I want to be clear we expect the company to come through with severance terms that reflect the workers’ many years of dedicated service.”
Every year, Human Trafficking Awareness Day serves as a solemn reminder of the ongoing battle against one of the most egregious violations of human rights—modern-day slavery.
Together, we must eradicate human trafficking in all its forms.
TORONTO — Unifor commends the Ontario Court of Appeal’s decision today, upholding the Ontario Superior Court’s ruling that Bill 124 is unconstitutional.
“This decision is vindication for the tens of thousands of workers, many of them working in health care and education, who were denied their constitutional right to fair and free collective bargaining. It also sends a strong and clear message to governments across this country considering using legislative powers to deny workers’ rights,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
TORONTO - Unifor welcomes the announcement of a new agreement between the federal and Ontario governments that promises to inject $3.1 billion in federal funding into the province's health care system.
We wish to inform you that the tentative agreement presented for ratification has not been accepted by our membership. This decision underscores the collective resolve to seek terms that better reflect our contributions and the value we bring to Autoport.
TORONTO – Unifor is outraged about today’s announcement from Bell Canada Enterprises Inc. (BCE Inc.) to cut 4,800 jobs – 9% of its workforce – affecting 800 of the union’s members, while deliberately putting shareholders ahead of workers with increased dividend payouts.
Unions representing workers in Quebec's forestry sector say the Ministère des Ressources naturelles et des Forêts (MRNF) is going in the wrong direction for forestry sector consutlations.
Unifor, United Steelworkers, the Centrale des syndicats démocratiques (CSD) and the Fédération de l'industrie manufacturière (FIM-CSN) were united in their denounciation of the MRNF’s process announced during a press conference held on February 7 in Saguenay Quebec.
In a powerful act of solidarity, Unifor, CUPE, and SEIU healthcare workers rallied at the Toronto Sheraton Centre, demanding the Ontario Hospital Association invest more in hospital staffing and fair wages to improve patient care and worker support.
As we approach the 2024 UN World Day for Social Justice, it's crucial now more than ever to spotlight the transformative work being done in the pursuit of equity, rights, and justice globally.
This year, Unifor is hosting a education webinar on February 20, 2024, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm (EST), aimed at shedding light on the impactful efforts being supported through the Social Justice Fund (SJF).
Unifor members working at St Marys Cement in Bowmanville, Ont. ratified a three-year contract, securing key economic and benefit improvements.
“Local 222 members at St. Marys Cement work incredibly hard in a demanding industry,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “I congratulate the membership for ratifying a very strong collective agreement and our bargaining committee for making so many important gains. Take pride in what you have accomplished here.
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