All News

Let’s all thank the “COVID-19 Heroes” who keep showing up for work

By Jerry Dias

A lot has changed in just a week.

We’re calling relatives and neighbours to check in on them, reaching into the pantry to make groceries last just a little longer, and relying on health care workers to help us navigate the new world of isolation, screening, and care.

For me, it means negotiating for Unifor members over the phone instead of across the table and talking to news networks by Skype from my kitchen.

For too many, the COVID-19 crisis means sudden layoff and isolation.

Release: Employers sabotage worker access to EI benefits, Great Canadian Casino workers speak out

TORONTO – Unifor calls on all employers to adhere to Service Canada’s demand that COVID-19 related work shortages be coded appropriately, instead of blocking workers’ access to EI.

“Some employers are sabotaging workers’ access to EI benefits and it has to stop,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Workers from across Canada are being delayed access to EI benefits because employers are miscoding Records of Employment.”

Ford must re-invest $1 billion in health care to fight COVID-19

TORONTO—Unifor is urging the Government of Ontario to strengthen its COVID-19 strategy, restore $1 billion in health spending and adopt a series of policies to protect the health and economic security of Ontarians in advance of tomorrow’s economic update.

Ottawa has stalled too long on EI reform, new action needed

March 23, 2020

TORONTO - Unifor is calling on MPs to use the special Tuesday Parliamentary session to move quickly on reform and pass emergency measures to ensure all workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic have a reliable, decent paycheque.

“We are facing a crisis of catastrophic proportions that requires fast action from government. Despite promising first steps, federal progress on worker supports has stalled and I’m afraid our opportunity for quick action may have passed,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.

Media must be included in COVID-19 emergency plan: Unifor

TORONTO – Unifor is calling on the federal government to ensure that Canadian media organizations survive the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to provide vital information to the public.

“Almost every Canadian newspaper and television news outlet was teetering on the brink before the pandemic hit,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “Our media companies are experiencing unprecedented dips in advertising revenues, resulting in catastrophic losses.”

Release: Unifor leading call for retail worker protections and wage premiums

TORONTO – Unifor calls on all retailers to match wage premiums and enhanced health and safety protocols in recognition of front-line service workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.



“We recognize the tremendous risk workers are taking and thank them for their dedication during these unprecedented times,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Unifor continues to call on retailers to recognize the importance of their front-line workers and to compensate them fairly during the crisis.”



Unifor watching closely as Ontario hospitals given emergency powers

TORONTO— Unifor health care members understand the need for the Ontario government’s temporary order giving hospitals extraordinary emergency powers to prevent the spread of COVID-19 but the union cautions employers not to exert unnecessary force, and show respect for front-line workers while enacting the order. “Unifor recognizes that this is not business as usual but we will be watching closely how hospitals use these special powers to manage this pandemic,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Health care workers understand the motive and goals of this temporary order.

Unifor leading call for retail worker protections and wage premiums

March 23, 2020

TORONTO – Unifor calls on all retailers to match wage premiums and enhanced health and safety protocols in recognition of front-line service workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.



“We recognize the tremendous risk workers are taking and thank them for their dedication during these unprecedented times,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Unifor continues to call on retailers to recognize the importance of their front-line workers and to compensate them fairly during the crisis.”



Unifor shocked by Co-op rejection of independent mediator’s recommendations

REGINA—Unifor is shocked that Federated Co-op has rejected the recommendations of the independent mediator and is using the COVID-19 crisis to leverage even more concessions from oil & gas workers.
 
“FCL CEO Scott Banda’s tactics get more disgusting by the hour,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Western Canada needs a secure fuel supply and the skilled operation of the Regina refinery.

Release: Unifor watching closely as Ontario hospitals given emergency powers

TORONTO— Unifor health care members understand the need for the Ontario government’s temporary order giving hospitals extraordinary emergency powers to prevent the spread of COVID-19 but the union cautions employers not to exert unnecessary force, and show respect for front-line workers while enacting the order.

Unifor donates $30,000 to foodbank and homeless shelter in Regina

REGINA—Unifor is giving back to the community in Regina with $15,000 in emergency funds for both the Regina Food Bank and the Carmichael Outreach, a charity that combats homelessness and poverty in light of the COVID-19 crisis.

“When members of Unifor Local 594 reached out to the national union with this request, we did not hesitate to donate to the community that has been so supportive of locked out oil & gas workers at the Co-op Refinery over the last three months,” said Dias.

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

March 20, 2020

The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on March 21, serving as a moment to reflect on inherent structures of power and to redouble efforts to eradicate all forms of racial discrimination.

Forestry Letter to Minister Qualtrough

March 19, 2020

The Honourable Carla Qualtrough
Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion
House of Commons

Dear Minister Qualtrough,

Yesterday morning, Prime Minister Trudeau and Finance Minister Morneau announced a sweeping support package to address the growing financial and economic needs of Canadians as we face the deepening COVID-19 crisis.

Transportation – Transit and Truck Drivers License Renewals

House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6

Dear Minister Garneau:

RE: Automatic licence renewals and medicals for transit and commercial truck drivers

I am writing to you today on behalf of the nearly 22,000 road transportation workers across the country represented by Unifor, Canada’s largest union in the private sector.

Revised: COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions

COVID-19 is a pandemic illness. Public health agencies are monitoring the outbreak of this illness
and providing public health and infection control guidance. That guidance is evolving rapidly. In
the meantime, many workplace issues are developing about COVID-19. FAQ revised on March 19 to reflect recent government announcements.

Download the full FAQ document here

Unifor demands income protection for auto workers as Ford, General Motors and Fiat Chrysler suspend operations

March 18, 2020

TORONTO—Unifor demands income protection for auto workers as Ford, General Motors and Fiat Chrysler suspend operations across North America, throwing thousands of Canadian Unifor members out of work. 

“We understand that this pandemic requires an extraordinary response but Canadian auto workers must not bear the brunt of this crisis. Workers must be protected from this virus and from financial hardship as a result of this pandemic,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.

Action needed to ensure Indigenous communities have safe water

This year the annual United Nations’ World Water Day comes at a pivotal moment for Canada. Defending freshwater resources has been a growing concern for Indigenous communities—and for good reason. Safe drinking water is a human right, but it is far from something that many remote First Nations can take for granted.

There are at least 61 long-term and dozens more short-term drinking water advisories in effect for Indigenous communities across Canada. Some communities haven’t had access to safe drinking water for decades.

Update: Unifor is fighting to protect workers from COVID-19

We are living in unprecedented times. The window to flatten the curve is closing fast, and so is the opportunity to minimize the economic fallout of a pandemic. COVID-19 has created an uncertain and challenging situation for all working people, including Unifor members across Canada.