All News

Pallister bungling continues at Manitoba Hydro

Unifor says that mass resignation of the Manitoba Hydro board of directors is another signal that Premier Brian Pallister cannot achieve results that benefit the province.

“The Premier is causing chaos in the management of public services and Crown corporations,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Front line public sector workers do great work for Manitobans, but we can’t say the same for Brian Pallister’s performance.”

N.S. budget fails to re-invest in long term care

March 20, 2018

HALIFAX - The Nova Scotia government has failed to re-invest in key priorities such as long-term care, where wait lists are long and previous cuts have reduced the quality of care.
“Once again the McNeil government has let down Nova Scotia seniors, their families and the overworked long-term care providers with a failure to invest in the sector,” said Lana Payne, Atlantic Regional Director.

School bus strike deadline approaches

To view this press release on the web please click here.

TORONTO – Unifor Local 4268 is negotiating with First Student Bowmanville as school bus drivers in the Durham and the Kawartha regions approach a strike deadline at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday March 21.

Unifor condemns new U.S. forestry tariffs

March 16, 2018

OTTAWA - Unifor is calling on the federal government to intervene immediately to stop new anti-dumping duties imposed by the U.S. on pulp and paper mills in Newfoundland and British Columbia.

“Unfair tariffs aren’t just political theatre, they’re reckless policies that will close down mills and throw hundreds of Canadians out of work,” said Jerry Dias, National President. “This is completely unacceptable and Ottawa needs to push back hard against these heavy-handed tactics.”

Unifor supports Canadian Creative Industries Code of Conduct

March 12, 2018

Dear David:

Unifor is pleased to support the work of the Canadian Creative Industries Code of Conduct to Prevent and Respond to Harassment, Discrimination, Bullying and Violence. We applaud the collaboration and leadership shown by ACTRA and others including our local Nabet 700M to create this new Code.

Unifor supports all efforts to create safe and respectful workplaces free of harassment including sexual harassment, discrimination, bullying and violence.

Pallister budget gets failing grade from Unifor

March 12, 2018

WINNIPEG—The 2018 Manitoba budget fails to address some of the province’s most urgent problems, especially in the north, says Unifor.

“Premier Brian Pallister is failing Manitoba’s most vulnerable,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “There is a stunning indifference to the struggles of Manitobans who are falling farther and farther behind.”

Unifor submission to Ontario student transportation review

On behalf of school bus drivers Unifor continues to lobby the government to address the precariousness and poor working conditions that are rampant in the industry. As part of Ontario’s review of the student transportation system the union has submitted its concerns and recommendations in “A New Vision for Student Transportation”.  Read the full submission here

Tariff exclusion a stay of execution: Unifor

March 8, 2018
TORONTO – Unifor says the exclusion of tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum exports to the U.S. is simply a stay of execution.“This isn’t a victory, it’s a threat,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “The U.S. is now holding tariffs over Canada’s head at the NAFTA table ahead of the next round, which uncoincidentally will take place in Washington.”

Unifor members gather to lobby B.C. government

March 6, 2018

VICTORIA—Unifor activists will present policy proposals on workplace health and safety reforms, economic security for women, and progressive labour law amendments during meetings this week in Victoria.

“Last spring, British Columbians voted for change. There is no time to waste when it comes to making workplaces safer and restoring workers’ basic rights,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.

Trump holds Canadian steel and aluminum as NAFTA hostage

MEXICO CITY –Unifor, Canada’s largest union in the private sector, says that President Trump has made it clear that Canada’s steel and aluminum industries are being held hostage to extort a NAFTA deal.

“Trump plainly stated that tariffs will only come off if Canada signs a NAFTA agreement to his liking,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “The question now is whether the Canadian government is going to submit to trade blackmail.”

Without tariff exemption Canada must withdraw from NAFTA: Unifor

March 2, 2018 

TORONTO – Unifor says if Canada fails to obtain an exemption from unjust and punitive tariffs on steel and aluminum exports to U.S. then the Canadian government has no choice but to withdraw from NAFTA renegotiations.

“If America imposes duties on steel and aluminum and Canada doesn’t walk away from NAFTA immediately then make no mistake we will no longer be negotiating, we’ll be capitulating,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.

School bus strike averted

March 1, 2018

PORT ELGIN- Unifor, the union representing school bus drivers at First Student Canada in Owen Sound/Wiarton and Port Elgin/Kincardine has reached a tentative agreement with the company, averting a strike set to begin Thursday morning.

"This is good news for drivers, and good news for parents," said Debbie Montgomery, President of Unifor Local 4268. "Despite a difficult round of bargaining, the bargaining committees have secured a deal that improves wages and working conditions.”

Without a fair offer, school bus strike remains on the table

PORT ELGIN- Unifor represented school bus drivers covering Owen Sound/Wiarton and Port Elgin/Kincardine remain committed to negotiations ahead of a 12:01 a.m. Thursday March 1 strike deadline but have not reached a deal.

Paramedic strike delayed by OLRB decision

Feb 27, 2018 SAULT STE. MARIE – A last minute decision from Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) has delayed a legal strike by paramedics that was to begin at midnight on February 28.

Goderich mine cutting corners with lay-offs, says Unifor

February 27, 2018

GODERICH—Unifor is calling on the Goderich mine’s owners, Compass Minerals, to “press pause” on a massive round of lay-offs in order to ensure that procedures are being followed properly.

“Being laid off is a major event in any family’s life,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “We have serious concerns about the way Compass has acted, and we’re calling on the employer to respect the collective agreement and their obligations under the law.”

Letter to Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil in Solidarity with NSTU

February 27, 2018

Premier Stephen McNeil,

On behalf of Unifor, Canada’s largest private sector union, I want you to know that our 315,000 members including our more than 13,000 in Nova Scotia stand shoulder to shoulder in solidarity with the Nova Scotia Teachers Union (NSTU) and the other unions and workers in the education sector who have expressed profound concerns with the Glaze Report.

Goderich mine cutting corners with lay-offs, says Unifor

Unifor is calling on the Goderich mine’s owners, Compass Minerals, to “press pause” on a massive round of lay-offs in order to ensure that procedures are being followed properly.

“Being laid off is a major event in any family’s life,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “We have serious concerns about the way Compass has acted, and we’re calling on the employer to respect the collective agreement and their obligations under the law.”