All News

New funding secures jobs at Alstom Thunder Bay

After months of lobbying, Unifor members are relieved with today’s funding announcement by federal and provincial ministers, the Mayors of Toronto and Thunder Bay, and transit officials to purchase sixty additional streetcars and refurbish bi-level coaches that will secure jobs for Unifor Local 1075 members at the Alstom plant in Thunder Bay.

Unifor welcomes Canada’s intervention on eve of line 5 closure

Unifor is relieved the federal Minister of Natural Resources is intervening on the eve of tomorrow’s deadline for Enbridge to shut down a key artery in the energy infrastructure between Canada and the U.S., providing vital energy needs for four provinces and four states.​

National Update #4

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Since we have reached a tentative one-year agreement with Loomis we have been working on a Canada wide process to present the tentative agreement to the members and have you vote on it. 

Given all of the Covid restrictions, the logistics and timing are difficult. We intend to hold Zoom based meetings over two days on June 12 and 13 at different times in each Province, we will then use Simply Voting to vote on the proposed agreement later that week. 

Ford government must act to reduce unacceptable surgical and test backlog

May 10, 2021 The Ontario government must act immediately to reduce the unacceptable surgical and diagnostic test backlog says Unifor. “The Ford government failed to quickly enact measures to protect Ontarians from the spread of COVID-19, such as paid sick days and priority vaccination access for essential workers,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.

Unifor warns of possible disruptions for Reliance Comfort customers

TORONTO—A refusal by the owners of Reliance Home Comfort to make meaningful proposals at the bargaining table could force job action this week at the Ontario-based HVAC, plumbing, and electrical provider, says Unifor.

“Unifor members serve Reliance customers with pride, but without movement on key issues from the employer this week, customer service will grind to a halt if we’re on a picket line,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.

Voices from the Picket Line: Case Study 1: Co-op Refinery & Unifor Local 594

In December 2019, Unifor Local 594 members working at the Co-op Refinery in Regina, SK were locked out by their employer, in a dispute that would ultimately last for 201 days. The members’ defined benefits pension plan was the main area of disagreement at the bargaining table, with the employer demanding deep concessions but unwilling to put an offer to the membership until the months into the lockout.

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Brian Pallister continues to underachieve on paid sick leave

WINNIPEG—A new provincial so-called sick leave program strictly limited to COVID-19 is woefully inadequate, says Unifor.

“Brian Pallister doesn’t get it. Manitobans don’t need the absolute bare minimum, they need robust public health policies that keep them and their families safe,” said Jerry Dias Unifor National President. “Brian Pallister has failed Manitobans yet again.”

Greene Report ‘reset’ will hurt workers and impede economic recovery

May 6, 2021

ST. JOHN’S —The slash-and-burn reset’ recommendations in the Greene Report would hurt Newfoundland and Labrador workers, cut vital social services and impede a post-pandemic economic recovery if implemented. 

“Greene’s Big Reset is a Big Failure, lacking imagination or a vision for the future that includes good jobs and strong public services,” said Unifor Regional Director Linda MacNeil. “A framework that starts with balancing the budget and ends with privatization is not a reset, it’s a step backwards.”

Unifor thanks nurses for always answering the call

Unifor recognises the dedication and achievements of nurses who contribute to excellence in health care and raise awareness of the issues and challenges of health care workers.

People in Canada and around the world celebrate Nursing Week each year during the week of Florence Nightingale's birthday, May 12. The Canadian theme of Nursing Week 2021 is, "We answer the call."

Conservatives fundraise on YouTube lies

It seems Erin O’Toole’s Conservatives just can’t pass up any opportunity to feed the party’s right-wing base and do some fundraising.

The Conservatives are standing in front of microphones and e-mailing supporters spinning a myth that the CRTC is going to police the YouTube and Facebook video uploads of everyday citizens.

If Bill C-10 – legislation updating the long-standing Canadian content obligations of commercial broadcasters for the modern era of Internet streaming - gets caught in this political crossfire, O’Toole doesn’t mind.

Jerry Dias - Open Letter Re: Urgent Need to Order Transit Vehicles from Alstom Thunder Bay

May 5, 2021

SENT VIA EMAIL

The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, P.C., M.P., Prime Minister of Canada
The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, P.C., M.P., Deputy Prime Minister of Canada
The Honourable Patty Hajdu, P.C., M.P., Minister of Health, MP for Thunder Bay – Superior North
The Honourable Doug Ford, M.P.P., Premier of Ontario
The Honourable Peter Bethlenfalvy, M.P.P., Ontario Minister of Finance
The Honourable Victor Fedeli, M.P.P., Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade

Ocean Concrete locks out workers to force concessions

VICTORIA—Members of Unifor Local 114 working at Ocean Concrete in Victoria have been locked out of their workplace by an employer seeking concessions at the bargaining table, Unifor says.

“Shame on Ocean Concrete for locking out workers during a pandemic,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Ocean Concrete has no excuse for these aggressive tactics.”  

National Update #3

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

With the third wave of Covid shutting down meetings and preventing any national bargaining from occurring, we have agreed to a one year agreement with the employer, subject to ratification by the membership. 

May Day marked with workers’ stories

To mark May Day stories from across North America about workers who have found renewed reason for activism in 14 months of COVID-19 challenges.