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Unifor celebrates rejection of “heartless” PC government

WINNIPEG—By electing Wab Kinew premier to lead a Manitoba NDP government, voters have rejected a “heartless” government that was increasingly out of touch with working people, says Unifor.  

“Wab Kinew and his team presented a positive and optimistic vision for the province and for workers, one that gave Manitobans the chance to move past the cuts and chaos of the Pallister-Stefanson years,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “We look forward to working with Premier Kinew to strengthen bargaining rights and grow good jobs in Manitoba.”

Unifor taps General Motors as next Detroit Three target company

TORONTO —Unifor has tapped General Motors (GM) as the next target company in the union’s negotiations with Detroit Three automakers. The announcement was made by Unifor National President Lana Payne in a video message to members.

“We’ve got an incredibly strong pattern agreement at Ford that will serve us well over the coming years. Our job now is to negotiate that pattern in the form of a renewal collective agreement with General Motors and Stellantis,” said Payne. “General Motors will be our next target company. Starting tomorrow Unifor will be at the table with GM.”

Unifor members ratify collective agreement with Ford Motor Company

TORONTO—Unifor members voted to ratify a new three-year collective agreement with Ford of Canada.

“Our bargaining team showed exceptional leadership and successfully pushed Ford of Canada on every front,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “This contract will change lives in a profound way. It fundamentally transforms pension plans, provides protections during the EV transition and includes the highest wage increases in the history of Canadian auto bargaining.”

ITF Safe Rates Global Statement of Demands – Participating Unions

Around the world road transport workers face severe work pressures due to low-cost tendering practices, unreasonable scheduling, and low rates of pay. These pressures originate in a business model based on an over-reliance on sub-contracting and a level of competition that is destroying jobs and lives.

Unifor joins global call for safe roads

TORONTO – Unifor is calling on the federal government and industry stakeholders to support changes to improve conditions for road transport drivers and make roads safer for all drivers.

“Low pay and unsafe conditions force drivers to take enormous risks in order to make ends meet. While this might make sense for the narrow interests of corporate shareholders, it is a disaster for everyone else,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

Sunbeam Community and Developmental Services workers demand fair wages and pay equity

KITCHENER - Unifor Local 1106, representing the dedicated and compassionate workforce at Sunbeam Community & Developmental Services, demand the employer return to the table and offer workers fair and equitable wages for its members.

“Sunbeam Community & Developmental Services is suppressing wage adjustments related to Bill 124 and neglecting to maintain and review pay equity requirements,” said Samia Hashi, Unifor Ontario Regional Director. “In the face of this unacceptable behaviour, we are calling for justice for our members.”

Unifor reaches tentative agreement with Ford Motor Company

TORONTO—Unifor has reached a tentative agreement with Ford Motor Company, covering more than 5,600 members at Canadian Ford facilities. 

“We believe that this tentative agreement, endorsed by the entire master bargaining committee, addresses all of the items raised by members in preparation for this round of collective bargaining,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “We believe that this agreement will solidify the foundations on which we will continue to bargain gains for generations of autoworkers in Canada.”

Unifor to hold information picket at ARCH Hospice

SAULT STE. MARIE– Unifor, the union representing the dedicated workers at ARCH Hospice will conduct an information picket outside the facility on September 18 to draw attention to the issues workers are facing in this round of contract negotiations.

Unifor sets sights on anti-scab law and fixing EI for next parliamentary sitting

OTTAWA—The next Parliament can make important and lasting changes for workers by banning replacement workers (“scabs”) and fixing Employment Insurance, says Unifor.

“The studies and consultations have been done. Workers shouldn’t have to wait any longer for workplace and EI changes that will improve working conditions and a withering safety net,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President.  

Metroland Media betrays workers and communities with local news cuts

TORONTO- Metroland Media, owned and controlled by Jordan Bitove’s Nordstar, is betraying workers and leaving an information vacuum in many communities by ending the print publication of 70 of weekly community newspapers and shuttering its flyer delivery business.

Unifor encourages Manitobans to ‘Downgrade the PCs’

WINNIPEG—Voters can turn the tables on the PC government that downgraded hospital emergency rooms by electing a new government on October 3, says Unifor.

“The PCs’ abysmal record on healthcare and other vital services shows they’re not worthy of re-election,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “They downgraded vital emergency rooms, now voters can downgrade the PCs.”

Government, employers ignore administrative professionals

Unions representing thousands of administrative professionals working in the health care system throughout Nova Scotia have spent six weeks trying to get bargaining dates from the employers and government, but they refuse to come to the table. 

These hard-working administrative professionals now have a contract that expired almost three years ago. The employer and government have offered these workers a deal that amounts to a wage decrease, while other groups of health care workers have been offered much more.

Unifor members at IMP Aerospace deliver unprecedented strike mandate

September 11, 2023

HALIFAX-Unifor members at IMP Aerospace delivered an unprecedented strike mandate of 97.6%, showing their determination to make strong gains in upcoming contract negotiations.

“The members at IMP are sending a clear message with this strike vote that they need to see real improvements,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “The overwhelming support for a strike and support for their bargaining committee is important and shows these workers are ready to fight for a fair contract.”

Unifor fights Air Canada Jazz layoffs in Newfoundland and Labrador

TORONTO – Unifor is fighting Air Canada’s decision to lay off more than 50 Jazz members in Newfoundland and Labrador as the company makes changes to its services in Gander, Happy Valley-Goose Bay and Deer Lake.

“Unifor is committed to fighting vigorously for our aviation members at Jazz,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

“Companies like Air Canada can’t just be cavalier about bringing in new contracts and expect our union to sit by on the sidelines. Our members are dedicated to their jobs and deserve respect.”

Unifor members organizing for change in Manitoba election

WINNIPEG—Workers across Manitoba will be volunteering for progressive candidates to ensure the Heather Stefanson government is not re-elected on October 3, 2023.

“Workers and their families cannot afford more PC health care cuts and emergency room chaos,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “Working people are ready for change.”

Unifor has begun a member-to-member campaign to help inform workers about the Brian Pallister-Heather Stefanson government’s record of healthcare privatization and growing poverty.

Unifor and Victoria Clipper reach tentative agreement

VICTORIA—A Labour Day weekend strike has been averted after the bargaining committees of Unifor Local 114 and the Victoria Clipper ferry signed a tentative agreement.

“Congratulations to the bargaining committee and the members who mobilized quickly to get the word out on both sides of the border about their struggle for a fair contract,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director. 

Details of the agreement will be available upon ratification of the contract. A vote is scheduled for Wednesday, September 6, 2023.

Unifor reaches tentative agreement with Metro

TORONTO— A tentative agreement has been reached between Unifor and Metro, following a month-long strike action by 3,700 frontline grocery store workers.

“Our union was able to negotiate this new tentative agreement due to the unwavering commitment of our Metro grocery members who were united in their goal to improve their wages and working conditions,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “I commend the workers and the bargaining committee for their solidarity and also the customers who supported them during this difficult time.”

Unifor members ratify new contract with Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

VANCOUVER—Major wage increases and more manageable workloads are key features of a new three-year contract with the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver ratified today by Unifor members.

“Unifor members make the Hotel Vancouver one of the most desirable hotels in the country,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “They have negotiated an outstanding collective agreement that leads the industry and helps set a standard for upcoming negotiations elsewhere in the sector.”

Unifor to announce Detroit Three target company

Media Advisory

TORONTO— Unifor will announce the union’s Detroit Three (D3) target company in the current round of negotiations with Ford, General Motors and Stellantis at a media conference today at 1 p.m. at the Sheraton Centre in Toronto.

Media interested in attending in person or via the conference call must register in advance by emailing @email.

Unifor Detroit Three members deliver overwhelming strike mandate

TORONTO— Unifor members at Ford Motor Company, General Motors and Stellantis have delivered overwhelming strike mandates, authorizing their bargaining committees to take job action, if needed, to achieve fair collective agreements with the Detroit Three (D3). 

Unifor members ratify new contract with Windsor Salt

WINDSOR—The 192-day strike at Windsor Salt has come to an end after members of Unifor Local 240 and 1959 ratified a new five-year contract with the employer this afternoon.

“Determination on the picket line and rock-solid support from local unions and the community at large helped us achieve a contract our members could overwhelmingly support,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President.

The new collective agreements include wage increases of up to $4.60/hour over the term, a $3,000 ratification bonus, shift premium increases, and a variety of benefits enhancements.