All News

UCP majority means Alberta workers must unite to defend just and equal future

Edmonton – Unifor pledges to continue building progressive organizing in Alberta following the election of a majority United Conservative Party (UCP) government. “Through a difficult and heated election, voters made it clear that they were worried about the future of good jobs for Albertans,” said Unifor President Jerry Dias. “If implemented, Jason Kenney’s plan will threaten good jobs in the energy sector and will mean outright cuts to public sector jobs in education and healthcare.

Oil Patch workers campaign in last minute push for NDP before election

Media Advisory – Photo Opportunity

Calgary – Workers from Alberta’s oil sands and Unifor members who are worried about the future of the industry if the UCP forms government will be campaigning  in support of the NDP today.  Photo and interview opportunities are available while they door knock and engage voters, in a last minute push to support NDP candidates before the election.

What:   Campaigning – photo op and interviews

When:   April 15, 2019

What oil sands companies are not saying in this election (but should)

April 12, 2019

CALGARY - Workers from Alberta’s energy sector are calling on oil sands company executives to speak out about the threat Jason Kenney’s policies represent to the future of the oil sands.

“The CEOS and executives at Alberta’s biggest oil sands companies know the NDP got it right,” said Kim Conway, Chair of Unifor’s Energy Council.

Media Advisory - Workers from the energy sector call on oil companies to speak out about a serious threat to the industry’s future

April 11, 2019

CALGARY - Workers from the front lines of the energy sector are calling on the oil companies to speak out about the serious threat Kenney’s policies will have on their future. They know that the industry must change. Diversification is the only way it will survive and the NDP’s plan will save Alberta from economic ruination in the energy sector. 

The oil patch CEOs know it too. Suncor’s CEO once said, “Kenney’s approach of ignoring what our potential customers really want puts both investment and jobs at risk.”

Ford’s first budget pushes piecemeal programs to distract from lack of vision

April 11, 2019

TORONTO – Ford’s first budget threatens future growth and prosperity with dramatic tightening of public service spending and lack of leadership on manufacturing.  

"Conservatives have failed to reflect the priorities of working families in Ontario,” said Naureen Rizvi, Unifor Ontario Regional Director. “Essentially freezing government spending on education, health and social services won’t go unnoticed in public services that are already underfunded and in dire need of core funding.”

Unifor Submission on Employer's Reporting Requirements under the Pay Transparency Act, 2018

Unifor is Canada’s largest private sector union with over 310,000 members across Canada. Approximately 160,000 of our members live and work in Ontario.  Over a third of our members are women, with the majority of these women working in Ontario. They work in every major sector of the economy and in a whole range of occupations including nurses, pilots, retail and service workers, manufacturers and education workers. We are able to make comparisons and observations about working conditions, opportunities and wages rates given our breadth of membership.

Windsor Regional Hospital workers shocked by layoffs

WINDSOR- Unifor members working at Windsor Regional Hospital were shocked by the news of the hospitals plan to layoff 80 workers, including those in housekeeping and food services. “Windsor Regional Hospital CEO David Musyj is trying to sell these layoffs as necessary cost improvements that will have no impact on direct patient care,” said National President Jerry Dias. “That could not be further from the truth.

Unifor Bill 74 Submission to Ontario Social Policy Committee on Health Care

WHO WE ARE

Unifor is Canada’s largest private sector labour union, with 315,000 members in every economic region of the country. In Ontario, Unifor represents 160,000 active members, including more than 25,000 health care workers. Among Unifor’s broader membership are the thousands of Unifor retirees who are active across the province. Unifor is not only active in workplaces and at the bargaining table, but in all aspects of our communities and in the political debate to make Canadian society more just and equitable.

Unifor urges B.C. Government to improve working conditions

VICTORIA – Dozens of Unifor members from across the province are gathering in Victoria for three days of lobbying aimed at improving working conditions for the people of B.C., including children. 

“Its 2019 and yet women in B.C. still make significantly less than their male colleagues,” said Joie Warnock, Unifor Western Regional Director. “For every dollar a man earns per hour, women make 65 cents. That’s close to the highest wage gap in Canada and B.C. is long overdue for pro-active pay equity legislation.”

Tentative Agreements Reached

Four new tentative agreements have been reached with Unifor National Council 4000 and CN and CN Transportation Ltd in Montreal.

“Earlier this year we set a new wage pattern for the rail sector and we are pleased to be able to conclude these negotiations with agreements that make sure our hard working rail members earn their fair share in wages and benefits” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.

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Unifor is part of the Equal Pay Coalition and calls on governments of all levels across Canada, to implement a comprehensive strategy to close the gender wage gap by 2025.

Currently, the Ontario government is the only government in this country that recognizes Equal Pay Day.

By working together to send a united message, we can lobby and advocate for change to close the gender wage gap. Here’s how you can make a difference:

Unifor Celebrates Trans Day of Visibility

March 31, 2019

Unifor recognizes and invites all members to celebrate Trans Day of Visibility on March 31. This annual day celebrates the value and resilience of transgender people, and all people of non-binary gender identity both within the union and around the world.

Trans people are those who identify with a gender other than the one assigned at birth, and exist within all countries, communities and religious groups around the world. This identity is separate from an individual’s sexual orientation.