All News

Unifor supports Molson Coors beer boycott

Toronto - Unifor stands in solidarity with Canadian Union of Brewery and General Workers (CUBGW) members, forced on strike by Molson Coors since January 12. “This is a straight out attack on the middle-class by a multi-million dollar company,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “The strings are being pulled by an American head office determined to engage in a race to the bottom, with an agenda to lower the standard of living for workers in the name of corporate greed.” Molson Coors tabled an offer with reductions in wages, pensions and benefits.

Unifor and DHL reach tentative deal

Toronto—Unifor has reached a tentative agreement with one of the world’s largest international parcel shipping companies, avoiding midnight job action deadline. “The bargaining committee worked around the clock to secure fair compensation for the workers who make DHL successful,” said Mario Santos, Unifor National Representative. “DHL has achieved success and growth in recent years, and its unionized employees were a key party of that.” Unifor’s 900 members would have been in a legal strike position at 12:01 a.m. ET on Monday, February 6.

Vast Auto workers strike over wages, benefits

BRAMPTON, February 5 – Workers at Vast Auto Distribution in Brampton were forced on strike early today after the employer walked away from the bargaining table on Friday and refused to consider raising wages above poverty levels. “This employer continues to want to pay its workers poverty rate wages, in a city where the cost of living is rising rapidly,” said Unifor National Representative Paulo Ribeiro. “Our membership is committed to ensuring that doesn’t happen, for themselves, their spouses and their children.” The 29 members of Local 1285 were forced on strike at 12:01am today.

Picket lines poised to go up at DHL's airport locations

February 1, 2017 Vancouver—One of Canada’s largest international parcel shipping companies has received 72-hour strike notice after bargaining between DHL and Unifor has stalled. “We’re left with no other choice if DHL won’t take concessions off the bargaining table,” said Mario Santos, Unifor National Representative. “The level of disruption that DHL is inviting for customers is unfortunate, but avoidable.” Unifor’s 800 members will be in a legal strike position as of Monday, February 6 at 12:01 a.m. E.T.

Unifor welcomes Ontario occupational disease response team

Jan. 16, 2017 Unifor welcomes news that the Ontario government will move to create a dedicated occupational disease response team, slated to be operational later in 2017. “Unifor has long advocated for recognition of occupational diseases,” said Unifor Ontario Regional Director Naureen Rizvi.

Unifor and Loomis Express open bargaining

January 16, 2017 VANCOUVER—Unifor and one of Canada’s largest courier companies Loomis Express will enter contract negotiations this week. Unifor says that respectful treatment of the employees, contracting out and economic issues will dominate the bargaining. “We look forward to negotiating a contract that reflects the massive contributions of workers to this company’s success and sets a more respectful working environment for the employees,” said Todd Romanow, Unifor National Representative.

Unifor Welcomes Auto Grants Announcement

TORONTO, Jan. 9, 2017 /CNW/ - Unifor welcomes an announcement from the federal and provincial governments to convert loans to the auto industry to grants.

"It is good to see Ottawa and the province recognizing the importance of the auto industry to provide much-needed good jobs and investment in our communities," said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. "All levels of government must work together to show leadership and support for the auto industry."

Unifor encouraged by federal safety ruling for armoured car workers

OTTAWA, Dec. 29, 2016 /CNW/ - Unifor welcomes the Ministry of Labour's ruling to support a refusal to work by an armoured car worker, employed at Brink's Canada Limited. Today's decision backs an earlier federal Ministry of Labour ruling into the "all off" model employed by many companies in the armoured car industry. 

Unifor encouraged by federal safety ruling for armoured car workers

Unifor welcomes the Ministry of Labour's ruling to support a refusal to work by an armoured car worker, employed at Brink's Canada Limited. Today's decision backs an earlier federal Ministry of Labour ruling into the "all off" model employed by many companies in the armoured car industry. 

Forestry Council Meeting

As part of this campaign our union has committed to hold a meeting with local leadership and the Forestry Council in February to review and discuss components of the campaign. At this meeting, it is our hope that we will discuss our strategic approach to move forward.

Unifor welcomes federal asbestos ban

TORONTO, Dec. 15, 2016 /CNW/ - Unifor welcomes the implementation of a comprehensive federal asbestos ban by 2018.

"Asbestos is a known killer; this ban will save the lives of Canadian workers," said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. "For years, Unifor has been fighting for this ban as a first step, and while we've stopped future use, the government must continue the work to address damage that has already been done in terms of health and the environment."

/R E P E A T -- Unifor school bus drivers hold rally/

TORONTO, Dec. 14, 2016 /CNW/ - School bus drivers with the Toronto public and Catholic school boards will hold a rally Thursday to demand that First Student honour the collective agreement it signed with Unifor just over a month ago.

Unifor school bus drivers hold rally

TORONTO, Dec. 14, 2016 /CNW/ - School bus drivers with the Toronto public and Catholic school boards will hold a rally Thursday to demand that First Student honour the collective agreement it signed with Unifor just over a month ago.

Brennan: AIMS study on Atlantic Canadian austerity deeply flawed

TORONTO, Dec. 14, 2016 /CNW/ - Unifor economist Jordan Brennan released a response to the report on Atlantic Canadian austerity issued by the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies (AIMS) citing its findings as 'deeply flawed' and 'misleading'.

NS Health Care Bargaining Update

Health care bargaining between the council of unions and the Nova Scotia Health Authority & IWK have stalled.

Unifor, CN and Indspire collaborate to support Indigenous education

TORONTO, Dec. 2, 2016 /CNW/ - Unifor and CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI), in cooperation with registered charity Indspire, have established a scholarship and bursary program for Indigenous students, with the goal of advancing the academic outcomes of Indigenous post-secondary students across Canada.

Unifor to hold Ontario Regional Council

TORONTO, Dec. 2, 2016 /CNW/ - More than 900 Unifor members, representing Locals from across Ontario, will participate in Unifor's Ontario Regional Council, December 2-4, 2016, at the Sheraton Centre, 123 Queen St W, Toronto.

Delegates will discuss, debate and vote on priorities to chart political action and social justice campaigns for the next year.

Conference keynote speakers include:

Report on electoral reform a betrayal: Unifor

TORONTO, Dec. 1, 2016 /CNW/ - Today's report on electoral reform calling for a referendum will only delay much-needed changes to our voting system that Canadians were promised and have been clear in wanting, Unifor says.

Unifor calls for expanded local news and ethnic programming

GATINEAU, QC, Nov. 30, 2016 /CNW/ - Appearing before the CRTC as it discusses the future of local TV news in Canada, Unifor called for strong measures to boost local news programming, including calling for restoration of expanded programming in Italian, Punjabi, Cantonese and Mandarin.

Unifor makes CETA submission

Unifor made a written submission to the Standing Committee on International Trade (CIIT) hearings into Bill C-30 to implement the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with the European Union, telling the committee that there has never been a proper review of the full text of the deal - and that the deal and the circumstance surrounding it have changed dramatically since it was first announced. For the full submission, click here.

Kinder Morgan decision disappointing: Unifor

VANCOUVER, Nov. 29, 2016 /CNW/ - A decision by the federal government to approve the Trans Mountain Expansion Project is disappointing, Canada's largest union in the private sector says, vowing to continue to speak out on the pipeline.

"The evidence on Kinder Morgan has been very clear from the beginning. The expansion provides too much risk to justify going ahead," said Joie Warnock, Unifor Western Regional Director.

Strike over at Niagara on the Lake parts plant

ST. CATHARINES, Nov. 29, 2016 /CNW/ - A two-week strike at Industrial Management Group in Niagara on the Lake is over after Unifor Local 199 reached a tentative agreement with the employer that was ratified by the membership.