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I spent more time in jail than Scott Moe

Scott Moe killed somebody. I stood up for the rights of working people. I spent more time in jail.

As has been widely reported this week, Saskatchewan’s premier was let go with a fine after a fatal crash in which a woman was killed in 1997. 

Not only that, his name was not released at the time and the woman’s son, then a teenager, did not find out for 23 years who was responsible for his mother’s death. 

Moe was given a ticket for driving without due care and attention, a provincial traffic offence. For killing someone in front of her son. 

Striking Dominion workers form human solidarity chain at St. John’s No Frills

October 8, 2020 ST. JOHN’S–Striking Dominion workers have formed a human solidarity chain at Kevin’s No Frills in St. John’s, a partner of Dominion parent company Loblaw Companies Limited. “Today’s strike action is part of our ongoing campaign to get Loblaw to return to the bargaining table with a fair offer,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.

Judges quash Nemak plant closure decision

A panel of judges of the Ontario Divisional Court has set aside a November 2019 arbitrator’s decision that allowed the closure of Nemak’s Windsor plant. The arbitrator cleared the way for the transfer of specialized General Motors work to Mexico causing the loss of approximately 200 jobs.

Donate to your local food bank

This has been a particularly difficult year for many Canadians. The COVID-19 pandemic has hit every household in some way.

Supporting essential rights for essential workers

Unifor Statement on World Day for Decent Work

October 7, 2020 

October 7 is the World Day for Decent Work. Unifor proudly marks this day each year as a chance to reflect on the current struggles affecting our members, and working people internationally. As a trade union, we believe that good jobs, fair wages, and improving the many conditions in which people go to work each day is the way to achieve a better world for everyone.

Release: Donate to your local food bank

This has been a particularly difficult year for many Canadians. The COVID-19 pandemic has hit every household in some way. Jobs have been lost, or changed significantly. Loved ones have become sick. We all worry.

READ THE FULL MEDIA RELEASE HERE

BCNDP platform shows leadership during challenging times

October 6, 2020

VANCOUVER—The targeted action for transit users, renters, and working people in premier John Horgan’s platform helps form a vision for B.C.’s future that leaves no one behind, says Unifor.

“John Horgan is the right leader to help navigate British Columbia through challenging times,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “The platform released by Horgan today shows that he wants to continue supporting people through this pandemic while helping make life more affordable for working families.”

VIA Rail Bargaining Update #5

Following pandemic struggles, VIA Rail bargaining to re-start with virtual meetings

Unifor Local 100 and Council 4000 are set to re-start negotiations with VIA Rail following months of crisis management throughout the first and now second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Local 100 virtual bargaining is scheduled for next week, from October 14-16 and October 19-23.  Unifor Council 4000 is in talks with VIA on scheduling a return to the bargaining table at the end of October and/or beginning of November.

Health care unions welcome significantly improved COVID-19 protections for 400,000 health care workers

TORONTO – Today the Chief Medical Officer of Health issued Directive #5, which provides clear guidance that N-95 or superior protection masks, face shields and other equipment are to be provided to health care staff working on the front line in long-term care facilities or hospitals dealing with COVID-19 outbreaks, among other improvements. “The updated standards in Directive #5 are the culmination of many hours of frank and open collaboration with the Ministry of Health.

Media Advisory - Striking Dominion workers hold Thanksgiving food drive

October 5, 2020

ST. JOHN’S–Striking Dominion workers will hold a picket line food drive to help local charities provide Thanksgiving meals to families in need.

“These workers want to make sure that no one goes hungry on Thanksgiving,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Unifor Dominion members will be accepting donations that would normally be made in store at all picket line locations to be distributed to food insecure families across the province.”

A Universal Basic Income: Too Good to Be True?

Last month, it was reported that the Liberal caucus identified a guaranteed basic income as the top policy priority to debate and vote on at the party’s upcoming November national convention. This comes as little surprise. The COVID-19 pandemic and catastrophic job loss that ensued has intensified calls for the strengthening of Canada’s social safety net and income security programs that have proven to be inadequate during times of economic crisis.

Release: Health care unions welcome significantly improved COVID-19 protections

Unifor welcomes Directive #5 providing clear guidance that N-95 or superior protection masks, face shields and other equipment are to be provided to health care staff working on the front line in long-term care facilities or hospitals dealing with COVID-19 outbreaks, among other improvements.

READ THE FULL MEDIA RELEASE HERE

October 4 MMIWG2S Honouring & Awareness Day

The COVID-19 pandemic may have delayed action by the federal government on the findings of the Inquiry, but the time for talk is over—it’s time for...

Unifor in solidarity with UWUA local 609

TO:        Dale Mastel, Vice President, UWUA Local 609
Robert Laidlaw, UWUA Local 609 Negotiating Committee

Dear Brothers:

On behalf of 315,000 Unifor members across Canada, we want to express our deep solidarity with your struggle to negotiate a good contract with your employer, NPL Construction.

Torstar reverses job cuts following collaborative consultation with Unifor

October 1, 2020 HAMILTON– Torstar has reversed the elimination of 24 jobs at the Hamilton Spectator classified call centre, following collaborative consultation with Unifor. “We’re pleased that our union was able to work together with Torstar to find an alternative solution to moving these jobs to the United States so that Canadians can remain employed,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.

Bargaining Update #6

Unifor members,

This week, our members at Ford Motor Company ratified a new collective agreement, with 81 per cent of members voting in favour. As our National President Jerry Dias said: “The vote result not only demonstrates our members’ overwhelming support for their bargaining committees and their new collective agreement, but also shows Unifor members have a clear vision of a strong and prosperous Canadian auto sector.”

Joint Letter to Ministers Freeland and Garneau

September 30, 2020


The Honourable Chrystia Freeland    

 

Minister of Finance                                                                              

Unifor members mark Orange Shirt Day with donations to Indigenous organizations

September 30, 2020

TORONTO—Unifor members from coast to coast are participating in Orange Shirt Day today, the annual event to honour and acknowledge the survivors of Canada’s shameful residential school system.

“Unifor is deeply committed to reconciliation,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “We’re proud to work with our Indigenous partners to both heal and fight for justice and put an end to systemic racism.”