Bill 124 is back in the courts. The Government’s appeal will be heard by three judges of the Ontario Court of Appeal from June 20-23.
The Government will go first because they are bringing the appeal. That will take most of the first day. The unions will then respond on Wednesday and Thursday.
Unifor’s team is confident and prepared to defend members’ constitutional rights once again. We expect that we will have our turn on Thursday morning.
On June 20, we observe World Refugee Day, a crucial opportunity to raise awareness and advocate for the rights and well-being of refugees worldwide.
According to the UNHCR, the number of refugees surpassed 35 million by the end of 2022, with an additional 108.4 million people forcibly displaced from their home countries due to various reasons such as war, conflict, famine, human rights abuses, and climate change. Shockingly, the global displacement crisis now exceeds the scale seen during World War II.
TORONTO – Unifor has partnered with the Canadian Red Cross in providing vital emergency as wildfires continue to threaten numerous communities in Alberta, Quebec and the Atlantic Region, forcing tens of thousands of people to evacuate.
Lana Payne, Unifor National President, shared the views of workers and the union during a meeting with Tiff Macklem, Governor of the Bank of Canada, earlier this week.
Payne and the Unifor team discussed the challenges workers are facing as a result of a series of interest rate hikes including climbing mortgage and rent costs. The team stated concerns that the rising interest rate could trigger a recession, that would put people out of work or cause businesses to create fewer jobs.
TORONTO – The 1,400 members of a Unifor Local 2002 unit have voted 80% in favour of ratifying a new four-year contract with the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA).
“I’m so proud of the bargaining committee at Local 2002,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “This agreement is groundbreaking in the aviation industry and sets a new standard for what we can accomplish moving forward. It is a testament to the committee, who has tirelessly represented the members’ interests throughout the negotiation process.”
REGINA—For the third time this year Unifor has uncovered a privatization scheme at SaskTel that sends work out of province or to a low-bid non-union firm.
“The Sask Party government seems intent on bleeding all of the good jobs out of SaskTel,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “SaskTel was once a local, good job creator. Then Scott Moe and Brad Wall got their hands on it.”
Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle joined Minister of Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson, NDP Member of Parliament Daniel Blaikie and other representatives to help announce the tabling of Bill C-50, The Sustainable Jobs Act.
More than 80 Skilled Trades members from across the country gathered at the Unifor Skilled Trades Council to discuss key issues and strategize to secure and grow good paying trades jobs.
“Our Skilled Trades members convene three times a year in order to stay on top of common issues and to bring forward workplace concerns that can benefit from the shared experience and wisdom of Council delegates,” said Dave Cassidy, Unifor National Skilled Chair.
TORONTO – Unifor is deeply concerned and outraged about today’s announcement from Bell Canada Enterprises Inc. (BCE Inc.) to cut 1,300 positions and to close six and sell three radio stations in response to not being able to outwait Bill C-11.
Unifor has reached a tentative agreement on behalf of ORNGE Air Ambulance Paramedics.
“With the united support of the membership behind them the bargaining committee was able to secure a tentative agreement that addresses key priorities for air ambulance paramedics,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “My congratulations to the bargaining committee for their hard work.”
TORONTO – The 1,400 members of a unit at Unifor Local 2002 have reached a tentative deal with the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) after over four weeks of negotiations.
“Congratulations to the bargaining committee for all their hard work,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “This agreement is a significant step forward in securing improved working conditions and benefits for our aviation members at GTAA.”
The members in this unit are in 350 different job classifications, based out of Pearson International Airport in Toronto.
HAMILTON, ON – Hundreds of hospital staff including nurses, personal support workers and lab technologists rallied today at St. Joseph’s Healthcare in Hamilton against the Ford government’s plan to contract out hospital services to private, for-profit clinics.
Under the theme of "Moving Canada, Connecting the world," members from the air, marine, rail, and road sectors came together at the Unifor Transportation Conference, held June 9-11 at the union’s Family Education Centre in Port Elgin.
Unifor members at Local 510 in Quebec have ratified its collective agreement with Autobus Longueuil Inc., ending an 11-week-long strike.
The tentative agreement was reached on June 2, 2023, with the Ministry of Labour's conciliation department and the members voted to accept the deal on June 4. Subsequently, the employees returned to work the day after the ratification vote.
Honourable Bill Hogan
Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development
Minister Hogan and Premier Higgs,
Response to the changes to Policy 713
New Brunswickers have come to know Policy 713 in the past month, and I have heard myself from hundreds of Unifor members who are fearful of your government’s attempt to water down this life-saving policy and drum up anti-trans sentiment through damaging public statements over the past several weeks.
On behalf the International Transport Federation (ITF) Canadian Coordinating Committee, representing tens of thousands of transport workers across Canada including rail, we extend our solidarity with India railway workers and unions, including All India Railwaymen's Federation (AIRF) and National Federation of Indian Railwaymen (NFIR). We are all reeling in the wake of the tragic train crash in Odisha, India – one of the worst the country has seen in a century. We send our deepest sympathies and condolences to all the families that have lost loved ones in the accident.
FFAW-Unifor has launched a campaign for federal support for those impacted by the post-pandemic collapse in the NL snow crab fishery. The detailed proposal includes income support requests for fish harvesters, fishery workers, and enterprise owners, to address significant income shortages this year and provide the help needed to make it to next season.
“I think Atlantic Regional Council was about changing the narrative,” said Jennifer Murray, Atlantic Regional Director.
Atlantic Regional Council (ARC) gathered more than 230 Unifor members, leaders, and staff in Moncton, New Brunswick, to discuss and debate priority issues for the union.
OSHAWA—Unifor General Motors members at Oshawa Assembly will build the next-generation of full-size internal combustion engine pickup trucks with the announcement today that GM will invest $280 million in the plant.
The members of Unifor Local 112 have ratified a new three-year contract with their employer, Woodbridge Foam Corp., an automotive seating and interior design company in Woodbridge, Ont.
“Negotiating this agreement was a long and challenging process, but the bargaining committee felt supported by the strength and solidarity of the members, along with the local and national union,” said Local 112 President John Turner.
Members of Unifor Local 21-A at Procor Ltd. in Edmonton have voted 90% in favour of ratifying a new four-year collective agreement with the company.
“Congratulations to the bargaining committee on their continued efforts and negotiating a strong collective agreement that provides good wage and benefit improvements,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “With this contract in place, our members can confidently anticipate four years of progressive wage gains and unwavering benefit security, providing exceptional stability amidst the uncertain economic landscape."
Unifor has learned that Marquis Imprimeur in Quebec has been sold to Lakeside Book, the largest book printer in North America.
On June 1, 2023, Marquis Imprimeur met with unionized workers at the Louiseville, Que. printing plant to break the unsettling news to workers, as well as to reassure them of their job security. According to the employer, skilled labor is an important part of the transaction between Lakeside and Marquis printing companies.
TROIS-RIVIERES, QUE. – Unifor members working for Kruger Wayagamac Inc. paper mill went on strike beginning June 1, at 12 p.m.
Unifor began negotiations with the employer on May 23 over a 10-day period, but union rejected the company’s latest offer.
The workers are demanding better working conditions, particularly improved wages.
"We have reached the salary negotiation phase, and the employer is failing to meet our demands and priorities,” said Joël Vigeant, Unifor National Representative and Forestry Coordinator for the union.
Unifor members working at Produits Forestiers Résolu in Quebec ratified tentative agreements the week of May 26, 2023, covering 10 contracts.
Unifor Quebec Director Daniel Cloutier, who was present throughout the negotiations, said this new contract is a major step for workers in the forestry industry.
"Unifor members can now look to the future with confidence, knowing that their rights and professional interests are protected by strong and fair agreements," he said.
WINGHAM, ON—A Wescast Industries internal company memo obtained by Unifor says the Wingham foundry’s overseas owners will not close the facility, a claim the union says is dubious.
“The record of Wescast management and its owner is one of broken promises, repeated violations of the collective agreement and disrespect towards workers,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “Our union is not going to take the company’s claims on faith. At this time, Wescast’s words are not worth the paper they’re printed on.”
From May 28 to June 3, 2023, people across Canada celebrate National AccessAbility Week. This is a time dedicated to recognizing the valuable contributions and leadership of persons with disabilities, while highlighting the important work being done in concert with allies, organizations, and communities to remove barriers and create a more accessible and inclusive society.
Unifor members of Local 2107 have ratified a new four-year agreement with East Coast Credit Union in Antigonish, N.S.
Unifor represents 45 members working as financial services representatives, branch ambassadors and clearing representatives among other classifications.
The contract includes wage increases, including $1.25/hour more across all wages and 3% in the remaining three years. The gains include a $500 after tax signing bonus, five personal leave days, and vacation enhancements. For the first time, part-time workers will be able to access personal leave days.
The members of Unifor Local MWF 01 Unit 0002 have ratified a new agreement with ABCO Inc. in Luneburg, N.S.
Unit 0002 represents shipbuilders, metal fabricators, machinists and support trades.
The contract includes a 5% wage increase in year one, 4% in year two, 3.6% in year three and 3% in the fourth year. Members will also get a $100 annual increase to boot and tool allowances.
Accessibility
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