TORONTO—The re-imposition of punitive tariffs on Canadian aluminum exports by the U.S. Department of Commerce warrants a swift and aggressive trade reaction from the Trudeau government, says Unifor.
“A policy designed for Russian and Chinese exports has been recklessly applied to Canadian producers,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Prime Minister Trudeau must respond with severe countermeasures.”
Jerry Dias, Unifor National President & Renaud Gagné, Unifor Quebec Director
Against any semblance of good judgement, the United States is on the verge of yet another trade war with Canada by slapping a new round of tariffs on Canadian aluminum.
Sadly, this is the culmination of the current US administration’s stubborn refusal to understand just how important Canadian aluminum is to the US and its willingness to sacrifice jobs in both countries on behalf of special interests.
VICTORIA—The new requirement for transit passengers to wear masks onboard buses is a welcome change that will help protect both other passengers and transit operators, says Unifor.
“With the proper precautions, we can have great public transit that minimizes public health risks,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “We have the upmost confidence in the Provincial Health Officer.”
The explosion this week in Beirut was startling to watch, and the images of the aftermath and the dreadful toll of the blast have been absolutely heartbreaking.
This terrible tragedy has struck a city still recovering from a devastating civil war and still dealing with the health and economic impacts of COVID-19. Closer to home, Lebanese Canadians are suffering and in need of our support and comfort. Like all of us, they can only watch their screens and hope for any good news they can find.
HALIFAX—The union representing the majority of workers at Northwood Manor willingly participated in the government-led review of long-term care facilities’ response to COVID-19, knowing fast action may help save lives as the pandemic continues.
Chantal Kreviazuk, The Sheepdogs, Basia Bulat, Born Ruffians, and Tokyo Police Club latest to support the growing campaign to reform Ontario’s long-term care system
July 31, 2020 ST. JOHN’S–Unifor Local 597 and Loblaw Companies Limited have reached a tentative collective agreement, avoiding strike action at Dominion stores across Newfoundland. “These members have shown their character on the frontline of the pandemic and throughout the bargaining process as they united to improve working standards,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “Unifor has and will continue the fight to raise the bar for essential retail workers.” Details of the collective agreement will not be released prior to ratification.
TORONTO — Unions that represent front-line healthcare workers across the long-term care sector issued the below joint statement following the release of Ontario’s long-term care staffing study, attributed to Sharleen Stewart, President, SEIU Healthcare, Candace Rennick, Secretary-Treasurer, CUPE Ontario, and Jerry Dias, National President, Unifor:
ST. JOHN’S–Negotiations to renew the collective agreement between Unifor and Loblaw Companies Limited are coming down to the wire as a strike deadline that will affect all 11 Dominion stores in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador looms.
“This is not the outcome we want. However, as the hours pass it becomes clearer that strike action may be inevitable,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.
Harassment, assault, and murder committed by police in the United States and Canada are unjust and unacceptable.
Unifor acknowledges the systemic racism, rooted in White Supremacy, that leads to violence perpetuated against Black, Indigenous and people of colour globally, resulting in individual and community pain, incarceration, and death.
TORONTO — SEIU Healthcare, CUPE Ontario, and Unifor, unions that represent healthcare workers across the long-term care sector, released the following joint statement in response to Ontario’s newly-announced commission into long-term care:
EDMONTON—Unifor members have resolved to continue to defend their rights at work after the all-night session of the legislature eased the passage of Bill 32.
“Bill 32 is a blatant attack on workers’ constitutional rights. There is absolutely no way we will comply with it,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Jason Kenny is turning back the clock on workers’ rights to benefit his wealthiest corporate donors.”
VANCOUVER—Members of Unifor Local 4275 overwhelmingly ratified a three-year contract that offers greater job protection during uncertain times in the hospitality industry.
“Unifor is a union for hospitality workers,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “The protections brokered in this collective agreement give greater income security to workers that have been so deeply affected by the pandemic.”
TORONTO – Women journalists are reporting an increase in gender inequality during the COVID-19 pandemic, as more than half say they have personally experienced an escalation in a new International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) survey released today.
ST. JOHN’S – Unifor members at Dominion grocery stores across Newfoundland have delivered an overwhelming 94% strike mandate, after negotiations with Loblaw Companies Limited have failed to produce a new collective agreement.
“These frontline workers have stepped up to serve their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic but Dominion continues to deny them full-time jobs and fair pay,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.
The union has set a strike deadline a week from today at 12:01 a.m. Friday July 31, 2020.
Women journalists are reporting an increase in gender inequality during the COVID-19 pandemic, as more than half say they have personally experienced an escalation in a new International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) survey released today.
TORONTO – Job cuts at Global News operations in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia highlight the need for immediate government action to ensure a future for Canadian journalism.
VANCOUVER—Unifor is urging the British Columbia court overseeing creditor protection hearings for Northern Pulp to ensure the ridiculous squabble between Paper Excellence and the Nova Scotia government doesn’t destroy the forest industry in Nova Scotia. A financing agreement that is good for workers, protects the environment, and supports the continuation of the forestry sector in Nova Scotia must be achieved.
TORONTO — Ontarians are being urged to join a growing call for profound changes to the province’s long-term care system that would end profit-making in the provision of residential care. Today, SEIU Healthcare, CUPE, and Unifor, unions that represent workers across the long-term care sector, invited families to demand reforms from Premier Doug Ford so money goes to better care for seniors, not profits for corporate shareholders.
TORONTO – Tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., SEIU Healthcare, CUPE Ontario, and Unifor, unions that represent healthcare workers across the long-term care sector, will unveil the next stage of their joint advocacy, calling for profound change to improve the conditions of work and care through an end to for-profit care.
