Welcome to VIA Vignettes, where the heartbeat of Canadian rail travel is shared through the eyes of those dedicated to bringing you home. In this series, we explore the personal journeys of VIA Rail's employees, those who ensure your travel is more than a mere transfer from point A to B but a passage woven into the fabric of Canadian life.
HALIFAX - Mechanics and service technicians at O’Regan’s BMW ratified their first collective agreement making them the first unionized service centre at a Halifax-area car dealership.
“Sitting across the table from the boss and having a say in your working conditions is at the heart of workplace democracy,” said National President Lana Payne. “Through collective bargaining, these workers have fought to build an agreement that supported their priorities. These members should be very proud of what they have accomplished.”
On January 16 Unifor area director Frank Wright led a delegation of members at a meeting with Manitoba’s Minister of Labour and Immigration Malaya Marcelino, Unifor’s first in-person meeting with a government cabinet minister since Premier Wab Kinew and the Manitoba NDP were elected in October 2023.
The 71 members of Local 222 who work for the agency Swipe Jobs – which is on contract to Del Monte Fresh in Oshawa, Ont. to supply workers – are on strike to fight for a living wage.
“Del Monte has contracted out Swipe Jobs to provide workers at their facility, all the while not taking responsibility for the subpar wages and lack of benefits, making it impossible for our members to make a decent living,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
The past twelve months represented a positive step forward for working people in Canada. It was a period marked by low unemployment and high inflation (the conditions that typically create bargaining leverage for workers). It was also a period, on the heels of the COVID pandemic, when workers realized how integral their labour is to the health and success of the economy – and how, for years, that economy hasn’t delivered for them.
Autoport Eastern Passage workers prepare for potential strike action
Dear Members,
The bargaining team at Autoport Eastern Passage has been actively engaged in discussions with our employer since September 28, 2023. Our existing collective agreement concluded on December 31, 2023.
We're excited to share that we've reached a preliminary agreement for a new collective bargaining contract for nearly 1,000 of our members at CN Transportation Ltd. (CNTL). This group includes our dedicated owner-operator truck drivers across Canada, proudly represented by Unifor National Council 4000.
Unifor telecommunications members at Eastlink, represented by Local 919-M in Nova Scotia, have voted in favour of a new collective agreement that includes wage increases over the next three years.
The contract provides a 4.3% wage increase in the first year, followed by a 4% raise in the second year. The third year allows for a 2% raise and includes a ‘me too’ clause that stipulates that if the bargaining unit in Halifax receives more, these members will see the same increase. Additionally, employees will receive a $4,500 signing bonus.
Unifor Local 222 is celebrating a new collective agreement for its 161 members at Robinson Solutions. The three-year agreement with the company, located in the General Motors Autoplex in Oshawa, delivers wage increases of 29.62% for industrial cleaners and 31% for part-time industrial cleaners over the lifetime of the contract.
"My sincere congratulations to these members for standing strong to get a new contract with Robinson Solutions,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
Unifor Retired Workers from across Canada remain active in retirement, through participation in their local Retired Worker Chapters and geographical Retired Worker area councils.
REGINA—Unifor Local 1-S and Local 2-S will make reversing the trend of contracting out unionized work a key priority as they begin bargaining this week with SaskTel.
As the final whistle blew on another thrilling season, the Unifor NFL Fantasy Pool celebrated an exciting year with a robust participation of 1500 dedicated members. The league witnessed intense competition, fostering excitement and camaraderie throughout the season.
WINNIPEG—Unifor enthusiastically supports the Manitoba government’s reported intention to introduce anti-scab legislation and single-step union certification.
WINNIPEG—Wage increases, a signing bonus and shift premiums are highlights of a new collective agreement ratified by Unifor Local 144 members at the Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation.
“The previous conservative government left gaming sector workers behind,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “The gains in this contract help address the economic circumstances workers face, including the rising cost of living.”
CAMPBELL RIVER, B.C.—Unifor Local 3019 members are considering next steps after learning the company has filed for creditor protection under the Companies Creditor Arrangement Act (CCAA).
“We are going to fight for our members to ensure they get the severance and support they deserve,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President.
Mine operations will enter a “care and maintenance” phase. Most Unifor members will be immediately laid off and paid for two weeks.
TORONTO — Unifor is denouncing FTG Aerospace for using scab labour amid an ongoing labour dispute at its Toronto facility.
"FTG’s decision to use scab labour is completely unacceptable. The company is demonstrating its complete lack of respect for its own employees while attempting to draw out this dispute at the same time,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Scabs are not qualified or certified to perform the work our highly-skilled members do and this poses a major safety concern.”
HALIFAX — Unifor applauds the Nova Scotia government’s decision to extend group benefits and a defined benefit pension plan to child care workers in the province.
After a decade-long hiatus, the Unifor Education department successfully reintroduced the 4-Week Paid Education Leave (PEL) program this year. Originating in 1978 at the Unifor Education Centre, this influential program has impacted over 6,500 graduates, shaping them into leaders within their communities, workplaces, local unions, and the national union.
This year's resurgence of the 4-Week PEL program is not just a comeback; it's a homage to the program's historical significance within the union.
Unifor welcomes 35 school bus drivers and mechanics at First Student Bus in Prescott, Ont. as the group voted overwhelmingly for certification by 92% on Dec. 13.
“Congratulations to our new members at First Student Bus who have chosen Unifor to represent them,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “School bus operators are an integral part of the public education system with important responsibilities, and we look forward to bargaining your first agreement.”
Certification by the Ontario Labour Relations Board is pending.
WINNIPEG—Unifor Local 144 members will vote on a contract later this week after negotiations produced a tentative agreement today.
“Our members at Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries demonstrated to the employer they were fed up with the status quo,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “Their solidarity and skilled bargaining has resulted in a contract they can be proud of.”
TORONTO – Unifor aviation members are gathering today at Pearson International Airport during the busy holiday travel season to bring awareness to poor working conditions in the sector that lead to delays, cancellations, lost baggage, and packed airports.
“We all know that travel chaos is common, even without the holiday rush,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President.
Editorial by Lana Payne, Unifor National President
Holiday travel often comes with dread and anxiety for many. Delays, lost baggage, packed airports.
As a union representing aviation workers from baggage handlers to air traffic controllers, we and our members understand that these busy times expose and amplify many of the underlying problems in the sector.
We reiterate our call for the federal government, airports and airlines to work together to tackle the root problems causing disarray in the aviation industry.
We want to update you on the most recent developments in our ongoing negotiations with the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission.
Unifor has issued a notice of dispute, and we are currently waiting for a Federal Conciliator and a Provincial Mediator to be appointed.
As a provincially funded entity, the ONTC received a mandate that does not meet the needs of our membership. As a result, your bargaining committee rejected the employer’s latest proposal and has directed the ONTC to seek an updated mandate from the province.
Unifor members in the aviation sector are rallying at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport on Dec. 18 as a Day of Action for better working and travelling conditions.
Low wages, unpredictable hours, multiple part-time jobs to make ends meet and harassment are just a few of the issues faced by thousands of air transport workers at airports across the country.
These issues are wreaking havoc across the industry causing a worker attraction and retention crisis that industry and government refuse to properly address.
COMOX, B.C.– Unifor Local 114 members at Pacific Western Transportation (PWTransit) began strike action this morning in Comox and Campbell River, B.C. to make a stand to improve public transit.
“We don’t take strike action lightly, but this is about fairness for our drivers, and this is about fixing the systemic problems in our transit system to provide better working conditions and quality service for the public,” said Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle.
MONTREAL - Unifor announced a significant donation of $70,000 today in support of public sector workers engaged in strike action for better working conditions and quality public services in Quebec.
"At this crucial point in the negotiations, the government is counting on the strikers' exhaustion. By calling for solidarity, we hope to inspire other unions to join us in supporting their colleagues in the public services. Together, we can demonstrate that the collective strength of workers is unshakeable," said Unifor Quebec Director Daniel Cloutier.
VANCOUVER – Pacific Western Transportation (PWTransit) bus services will be completely withdrawn in Comox Valley and Campbell River, B.C., as of Fri., Dec. 15 at 4:30 a.m., after contract negotiations failed between the company and members of Unifor Local 114.
HandyDART will still be available on essential service only levels during the labour action.
The union submitted a 72-hour strike notice to PWTransit on December 11, 2023.
Local 114’s contract with PWTransit expired March 31, 2023.
December 18th marks UN International Migrants Day, a day where we recognize not only the challenges faced by migrants around the world, but the vital contributions they make every day, both in our communities and workplaces.
Unifor Local 302 members employed at Marshall Gowland Manor have in Sarnia, Ontario overwhelmingly voted 97 per cent in favour of ratifying their new collective.
"From the outset of our bargaining efforts, our top priority has always been the well-being of our members," said Rusty Sproul, Local 302 Treasurer. "This agreement not only secures the livelihoods of our 142 dedicated members, but also establishes a promising foundation for future negotiations."
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