All News

Unifor and Windsor Salt reach tentative agreement

WINDSOR—A tentative agreement has been signed between bargaining committees representing members of Unifor Local 1959 and 240 and the employer, Windsor Salt.

The union began legal strike action 189 days ago on February 17, 2023.

More details will be made available after the ratification vote on Sunday, August 27.

This round of bargaining is the first since Windsor Salt was purchased by Stone Canyon Industries in 2021, a U.S-based private holding firm.

Strike deadline set for Labour Day weekend at Victoria Clipper ferry

VICTORIA—Unifor Local 114 members at the Victoria-Seattle ferry service have voted 100% in favour of taking legal strike action on Sunday, September 3 if a fair contract cannot be reached before then.

“Unless the employer shows up to the bargaining table with a fair offer, the Victoria Clipper will be anchored on one of the busiest tourism weekends of the year,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “Ferry workers deserve a fair contract and will take job action if negotiations continue to stall.”

Ford Motor Company’s Bécancour, QC battery plant investment welcome, says Unifor

MONTREAL- Unifor is encouraged by Ford’s commitment to invest in a battery cathode plant in Bécancour, Quebec, alongside Korean companies EcoProBM and SK On.

As the union representing 37,000 auto workers across the country, including Ford workers, Unifor welcomes this further commitment to re-invigorate Quebec’s auto industry and anchor the electric vehicle transition in Canada.

Unifor to begin Detroit Three auto negotiations August 10 

MEDIA ADVISORY 

TORONTO— Unifor begins formal contract talks with Detroit Three (D3) automakers, Ford, General Motors and Stellantis on August 10, 2023.

"Our bargaining teams are ready to get to the table and start negotiations on behalf of 18,000 Unifor members covered by these contracts,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “Our mission is clear. Our members want stronger pensions, better wages and a secure future in the transition to electric vehicle manufacturing."

Unifor members at Community Support Centre NW unanimously approve new 3 year contract

Dryden, Ontario - About 25 members of Unifor Local 324-18 voted 100% in favour of a new 3 year contract with Community Support Centre NW at ratification meetings held on Wednesday. Community Support Centre NW is a multi-service organization providing a variety of diverse support programs for children, youth, adults and families living in Dryden, Kenora and Fort Frances.

Unifor urges CRTC to strengthen regulations to support local news

TORONTO- In the past week, Unifor submitted three submissions to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) and the Heritage department, responding to draft regulations and Bell Media’s attempts to water down its news requirements.

Nurses Vote to Accept New Agreement

Nurses represented by four unions in Nova Scotia have voted in favour of a five-year contract that will see historic improvements in wages, premiums, occupational health and safety, and work-life balance.

Voting on the agreement took place from July 21st until noon today. Approximately 87.5 per cent of those who voted cast ballots in favour of the new agreement that was reached during Conciliation.

Unifor welcomes new battery module facility at GM CAMI Assembly Plant

INGERSOLL— Unifor welcomed news today that construction of a new EV battery module facility will bring 300 new jobs to the Ingersoll, Ontario General Motors (GM) CAMI Assembly Plant, with production scheduled to begin next year.

“This is good news for Unifor Local 88 members, good news for the community and good news for the economy,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “This investment is another important step in expanding Canada’s EV footprint and good union jobs for the next generation of autoworkers.”

Unifor reaches tentative agreement with Windsor Salt

WINDSOR—A tentative agreement has been signed between the bargaining committee representing members of Unifor Local 1959 and 240 and the employer, Windsor Salt.

The union began legal strike action 154 days ago, on February 17, 2023.

More details will be made available after the ratification vote on July 26.

This round of bargaining is the first since Windsor Salt was purchased by Stone Canyon Industries in 2021, a U.S-based private holding firm.

IMP Aerospace workers file for conciliation

HALIFAX – Unifor members of Local 2215 at IMP Aerospace have filed for conciliation to set a new pace for contract negotiations.

“This is a vulnerable time for many workers, with the rising cost of living putting extra pressure on every paycheque,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “Local 2215 members are using the tools available to them in the labour relations toolbox in order to get an agreement in a timely manner. They have the total support of their national union.”

Hospital workers rally across Toronto to demand Unity Health CEO push back against Ford government privatization scheme

TORONTO, ON – Workers from hospitals across Toronto held a series of rallies today outside St. Joseph’s Health Centre, St. Michael’s Hospital, and Providence Healthcare to speak out against the Ford government’s plan to privatize hospital services. Healthcare workers from the three sites, which are operated by Unity Health Toronto, included nurses, personal support workers, laboratory technologists, health care aides, cleaners, clerical staff, and many more.

Unifor members at Gardaworld ratify first collective agreement

CALGARY—Wage gains, seniority protections, vacation time, and pension increases are all features of a new collective agreement signed by Unifor members working as screening officers at the Calgary airport for Gardaworld.

“Unifor is a strong union for airport workers,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “First contracts can be tricky to negotiate, so we’re proud of the work done by the committee to get the job done.”

Unifor warns of possible summer disruption to Victoria Clipper service

VICTORIA—Members of Unifor Local 114 working at the Victoria Clipper say the pace of bargaining for their next contract suggests that the Victoria-Seattle ferry service could be disrupted before the end of the summer.

“The Clipper’s negotiators seem to be stuck in a pandemic concessionary mindset,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “Ferry ridership has rebounded from COVID-19. The company simply has no excuse to drag its feet on a fair contract for workers.”

Unifor encourages all governments to halt ads on Meta platforms

TORONTO – In the wake of Meta’s threat to ban Canadian news on its platforms because of the Online News Act, Unifor is calling on all provincial and municipal governments to follow the federal and Quebec governments’ announcements that they will stop advertising on Facebook and Instagram.

Unifor is also calling on corporations who are responsible for a large portion of the more than $4 billion in revenue Facebook takes out of Canada every year to also stand up for local news and Canadian content.

Unifor stands with ILWU in its fight for a fair contract

VANCOUVER—Unifor calls on the BC Maritime Employers’ Association to bargain in good faith and negotiate a fair settlement with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union.

“Unifor is very familiar with the underhanded tactics used by employers at the ports in Metro Vancouver,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “Unifor members, including hundreds of container truckers at the ports, stand united with ILWU in its strike for a fair contract.”

Nova Scotia Council of Nursing Unions to File for Conciliation for Acute Care Nurses

Halifax-Talks that began earlier this year between the Nova Scotia Council of Nursing Unions (NSNU, NSGEU, CUPE and Unifor) and employers (Nova Scotia Health and the IWK) came to a halt earlier today, without reaching a final agreement.

After a lengthy round of negotiations, which were delayed in part due to the pandemic, the teams representing nurses who work in hospitals, satellite clinics and public health throughout the province’s acute care sector came to an impasse.

SaskTel permanent job loss continues with help of simplyhired.ca

REGINA—Unifor has uncovered more contracting out of permanent, unionized jobs on the site simplyhired.ca, the fourth such discovery this year by the union.

“Scott Moe needs to answer to SaskTel customers and the people of Saskatchewan: why the rush to replace good jobs with low-bid contractors and out-of-province firms?” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director.