WHISTLER—By removing its latest offer from the bargaining table and suggesting binding arbitration, the employer in the seven-week long Sea to Sky transit dispute has ensured that the parties are farther from reaching a conclusion, not closer.
“PW Transit squandered weeks of progress with their stunt today,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director. “The employer’s stubbornness on fair wages has set negotiations back weeks, if not months.”
MONTREAL— Close to 200 Unifor delegates kicked off bargaining preparations for the pattern agreement in the pulp and paper industry in Eastern Canada by selecting Resolute Forestry Products as the target company. Members at the Pulp and Paper Wage Policy Conference, held in Montreal on March 23 and 24, 2022, worked together to build a list of demands and choose the target employer.
On Wednesday, the Unifor leadership team provided an update on the National Executive Board’s (NEB) review of an independent external investigation regarding a complaint that former National President Jerry Dias violated the union’s Constitution.
The findings of the investigation are deeply disappointing and disturbing. We understand the outrage that many of you feel. We share that outrage too.
Unifor began bargaining with Saputo Inc. this week – March 21, 2022 – in Toronto on Local 4003’s first collective agreement with the dairy company.
“The first collective agreement sets the standard for new members,” said Deb Tveit, Assistant to Unifor’s National President. “The bargaining team represents workers’ values and priorities and will negotiate the best collective agreement for the membership.”
TORONTO– The Unifor National Executive Board has determined that former National President Jerry Dias stands charged with breaching Article 4, Code of Ethics and Democratic Practices, of the Unifor Constitution after an independent external investigator determined that on the balance of pr
WINNIPEG—An independent arbitrator has sided with Unifor in a key battle against the Manitoba government over layoffs proposed in 2020.
“The PC government wants Crown corporations and public services to fail. It’s the pretext for privatization,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director. “Unifor fought to keep Manitoba Hydro staffed properly.”
Approximately 150 members of Unifor Locals 2163, 1090 and 199 at Securitas ratified a new agreement on March 19, 2022.
Securitas members provide fire protection and security services at the General Motors facilities in Woodstock, Oshawa and St. Catharines.
The strength of the agreement is owed to the hard work and resolve of the bargain team led by Local 2163 Chairperson Laura Romanick, Local 1090 Chairperson Peter Davies, and Local 199 Chairperson Mike Winterbottom.
BELLEVILLE—Mayor Mitch Panciuk used his YouTube channel to deliver deceptive comments about the city’s bargaining with transit workers represented by Local 1839, says Unifor.
“Either the mayor is out of the loop or he is misleading his constituents about the state of play in transit bargaining,” said Chris Macdonald, Unifor Assistant to the National President. “His comments are inaccurate and will only damage the already tense negotiations created by his human resources team.”
TORONTO – The elected leadership of Unifor will provide an update on the complaint filed that former Unifor National President Jerry Dias breached the Unifor Constitution. The update will be broadcast on the union’s Facebook pages facebook.com/UniforCanada (English) and facebook.com/UniforQuebec (French) on March 23, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. ET.
More than 300 Unifor members in the independent parts supplier sector at Lear Ajax voted in favour of a new collective agreement on March 13, 2022.
“Congratulations to all Lear Ajax members and to the bargaining committee for ratifying a strong agreement that delivers on our key bargaining priorities,” said Jason Wilson, Unifor Local 222 President. “This is a solid agreement that makes comprehensive improvements to members’ wages and pensions, as well as introduces a new Racial Justice Advocate position to the plant.”
OTTAWA- The Liberal and NDP tentative confidence-and-supply agreement, including a commitment to introduce federal anti-scab legislation, is a good move for Canada’s workers, says Unifor.
Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle joined Local 114 members on strike in Whistler for a rally to support public transit and push for a fair contract.
Unifor opened bargaining with VIA Rail in January 2022. To date Unifor Local 100 and Council 4000 has met with the company February 7 to 11 and March 8-11.
WHISTLER—Negotiations in the Sea to Sky region transit dispute came to a halt this evening after the employer refused to agree to any plans for eventual wage parity with Metro Vancouver transit operators.
Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle and senior staff joined the talks today to end the 48-day transit strike covering Squamish, Whistler, and Pemberton.
“Progress was made but there must be a roadmap to wage parity,” said McGarrigle, referring to the massive gap between the corridor’s transit workers and those in Metro Vancouver.
On March 21, Unifor acknowledges the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. It’s not a celebration, though.
On that day in 1960, police officers in the township of Sharpeville, South Africa opened fire on a group of people peacefully protesting oppressive pass laws, killing 69. The anniversary of the massacre is remembered annually with a recommitment for society to end racism in all its forms.
BELLEVILLE—After concessions were tabled during contract negotiations, Unifor Local 1839 members have voted 100% in favour of taking strike action if bargaining doesn’t produce a tentative agreement by April 1, 2022.
“Seeking concessions from front-line workers is shameful,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National Secretary-Treasurer. “Transit workers have earned a fair contract and we will accept nothing less.”
NAPANEE – Unifor recently wrote to Minister Fullerton to alert the province of a Napanee employer’s failure to negotiate with striking women’s shelter workers.
“This employer, the Lennox and Addington Interval House, seems to be delaying negotiations on purpose, instead of responding to earnest and reasonable proposals from these dedicated workers,” said Katha Fortier, Unifor Assistant to the National President.
TORONTO–On January 26, 2022 Unifor National Secretary-Treasurer Lana Payne received a written complaint that, now former, Unifor National President Jerry Dias engaged in an alleged breach of the Unifor Constitution.
Following review of the complaint, Payne promptly initiated an independent external investigation. On January 29, 2022, Dias was notified of the investigation, which is ongoing.
On February 6, 2022, Dias went on medical leave and subsequently notified the National Executive Board of his immediate retirement on March 11, citing health issues.
The Honourable Minister Merrilee Fullerton, MPP, MD
Minister of Children, Community and Social Services @email
Dear Minister,
Re: Lennox Addington Interval House
I write to you on behalf of the twenty (20) women who work at the Lennox Addington Interval House in Napanee, Ontario, who have been on strike since October 29, 2021.
TORONTO — Jerry Dias has announced his retirement from his role as Unifor National President.
Dias has been on medical leave from his position since February 6, 2022. On March 11, he notified Unifor’s National Executive Board of his immediate retirement, stating that he continues to deal with ongoing health issues.
We hear the term COVID-heroes used a lot. Meet three true COVID heroes: Emily Coulter, Jennifer Cloutier and Theresa Quinto share the harsh realities of working in long-term care during a pandemic, in a panel hosted by Unifor’s Katha Fortier at todays virtual ORC.
Members of Unifor Local 2216 ratified a new 4-year collective agreement on Saturday, March 5, 2022.
Local President Lee Gee and Unit Chairperson Clinton Pothier said they are happy with the work of the bargaining committee to reach a new agreement that sees wage increases of 3.5% in the first year (retroactive to March 1, 2021) and 3% each year until February 28, 2025.
March 11 marks the beginning of the third year since the World Health Organization formally declared COVID-19 a pandemic.
Workers in all sectors and types of workplaces have been affected by this public health crisis. They have been put at risk of transmission, and many workers have fallen ill or died as a result of this disease.
COVID-19 has caused nearly six million deaths worldwide and more than 37,000 in Canada alone. Over the past two years, front line workers have carried the heaviest burden while having to fight for basic protections.
Whistler resident Isla shares her petition on the picket line. Since January 29, the petition to support Local 114 members on strike has been signed by 1,900+ supporters in the region.
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