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.
TORONTO-More than 11,000 Unifor grocery store members are preparing to take on Canada’s Big Three grocery giants, Loblaw, Metro and Sobeys, in upcoming contract negotiations. The front-line supermarket workers are seeking pay increases, benefit improvements and more full-time jobs as bargaining begins next month.
The members of Local 2003 at University of Toronto have ratified a new contract, retroactive to May 1, 2022.
“Wage increases and retroactivity delivers members a just-over 5% increase over the life of the two-year deal immediately upon ratification,” said Local 2003 President Patrick Doyle.
“Improvements to premiums, allowances and benefits means more money in members’ pockets. It is great to have these improvements locked in with a public employer in an uncertain time, with the government’s appeal of the repeal of Bill 124 still to be heard by the court this June.”
TORONTO-Health care workers, activists, and community organizers rallied at Queen's Park today to deliver the Ontario Health Coalition (OHC) Citizens Referendum results, which revealed an overwhelmingly strong opposition to the privatization of healthcare in Ontario. The referendum saw an impressive turnout of more than 400,000 Ontarians, with an astounding 98.4% of voters expressing their disapproval of privatization.
EDMONTON—Losing 11 seats in the Alberta legislature shows a growing number of workers are rejecting the extreme policies of the United Conservative Party (UCP), says Unifor.
“There is one clear trend in tonight’s results: the UCP’s mandate has been significantly reduced,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “While we would have preferred a different outcome it doesn’t change our commitment to standing up for the rights of working people in Alberta.”
Canada’s auto industry is an important contributor to the success of our national economy. The transition to zero emission vehicles presents an opportunity to not only sustain our existing industrial footprint but to grow good, union jobs in a net zero economy. Governments and all stakeholders must continue to view the expansion of this domestic industry and its value chain a strategic priority for Canada.
Unifor Local 252 members at four Mercedes-Benz dealership locations in the GTA have ratified new collective agreements, bringing their strike action to an end.
Members at the Mercedes-Benz Etobicoke and Midtown Toronto dealerships, owned by the Zanchin Automotive Group ratified on May 16 with 86% voting in favour. Members at the Mercedes-Benz Downtown Toronto and Thornhill dealerships, owned by the AWIN Auto Group, ratified on May 24 with 70% support.
WINGHAM, ON—Wescast Industries’ decision to close its foundry operations will devastate workers, families and the community of Wingham, where the facility has operated for more than a century, Unifor says.
“Wescast and its overseas owners are turning their backs on the foundry’s dedicated workforce and the community that has supported them for generations,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “The Wingham foundry closure announcement must serve as a wake-up call to every level of government that Wingham auto parts workers urgently need support.”
Unifor put the future of transportation in the spotlight at this year’s Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Annual Conference, held May 25 to 28 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
Union members connected with elected officials, local government representatives, decision makers and stakeholders to send the important messages of buying Canadian when it comes to public transportation vehicles – especially during the shift to electric vehicles (EV) – and investing in passenger rail service to improve service that connects towns and cities across the country.
One of the ways Unifor will celebrate its decade of strength and resilience is building up the worker power through a grassroots bargaining strategy.
“Our union is about building worker power. This is a historical initiative with full input of our members, who are helping create a national bargaining strategy that will empower them,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
"What we do as a union is stronger and more powerful when we do it together, and that is what drove this project from the start.”
Unifor’s Sisterhood Outreach: Strengthening Women’s Committees program is making stops across the country, building and supporting women of the union through local strategy sessions.
Each session runs for a day where participants discuss the importance of their activism and work, learning together about concrete ways to start and sustain a women’s committee.
“Sisterhood and solidarity at Unifor have been strengthened by the connections women are making to each other,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
With an agreement reached, the snow crab tie-up ended on Friday and a fishery is now underway in most areas of the province. The secured agreement is a formula structure that guarantees a lowest minimum price of 2.20 per pound with incremental increases as the Urner Barry market price increases.
Groupe de Scieries (GDS) declared a lockout at four eastern Quebec mill locations, following a 24-hour strike at the company’s Matane plant on May 18.
Workers at the Matane plant have been working without a contract since 2022 and during negotiations decided to escalate pressure on the employer by declaring a 24-hour strike. The decision came after the employer submitted its offer.
As we celebrate Paramedic Services Week, Unifor recognizes with pride the vital contributions of emergency medical services workers who provide critical care and support to Canadians every day.
Paramedic Services Week is marked in Ontario May 21-27. This year's theme, 'Caring for our Communities,' highlights the crucial role that EMS professionals play in keeping our communities healthy and safe.
LONDON—Pensions, wages, transition plans as autoworkers shift to producing electric vehicles, and confirmation of new investment and product lines emerged as the bargaining priorities at the Unifor Special Auto Council, as the union prepares for upcoming negotiations with the Detroit Three automakers (Ford, General Motors and Stellantis).
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