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Unifor Local 1075 event honours Indigenous communities

On November 13, members of Unifor Local 1075 took part in a flag-raising ceremony alongside Fort William First Nation (FWFN) at the Alstom plant in Thunder Bay, underscoring the union’s commitment to strengthening ties with Indigenous communities.  

Local 1075 President Justin Roberts previously participated in Unifor’s Turtle Island course and felt that the local and employer could do more to build relationships in the community: “This flag-raising is a step in recognizing and respecting the contributions of local Indigenous communities.”

Letter to Premier Eby: Declare gender-based violence an epidemic in BC

Hon. David Eby, Premier of British Columbia
Office of the Premier
Legislative Assembly of British Columbia 501 Belleville St., Victoria, BC V8V 1X4 

Dear Premier Eby,

We are writing today as advocates, experts and concerned service providers who support survivors of gender-based violence.

Unifor members mourn the loss of former B.C. Premier John Horgan

Former B.C. Premier John Horgan will be remembered by Unifor members across the country as a champion for working people. His legacy is a British Columbia that has some of the healthiest public services and strongest workers’ rights in Canada.

Defending fair and free collective bargaining and the right to strike

The order for binding arbitration to abruptly end a lock-out at ports in British Columbia and Quebec is a blow to workers’ rights in Canada and only emboldens the employers—the associations of global multi-national corporations that operate dozens of ports around the world.

It is important to remember that it was the employer’s decision to lockout workers at the ports.

Clear Medical Imaging walks away from negotiations

WINDSOR— Bargaining between Unifor Local 2458 and Clear Medical Imaging ended suddenly today as the employer walked away from the table.

"Today’s abrupt walkout by Clear Medical is deeply disappointing to our members who have made it clear that they will not return to work until they receive a fair deal,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Our members came ready to negotiate and won’t back down until they get the first collective agreement they deserve.”

Pro-worker suite of legislation in Manitoba will benefit families

WINNIPEG—Unifor is celebrating the Manitoba government’s adoption of long-awaited anti-scab and unionization legislation, a major milestone that enhances workers’ rights in every sector of the economy.

“This is a pivotal moment for workers in Manitoba,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “By banning scab labour, the NDP government is strengthening the integrity of the collective bargaining process and helping ensure fairer outcomes for workers.”

Surrey Walmart drivers join Unifor

VANCOUVER—Unifor continues its momentum organizing at Walmart after the Canada Industrial Relations Board granted interim certification for approximately 95 drivers at Walmart in Surrey, B.C.

Holt’s changes to N.B. abortion access prove elections make a difference

MONCTON–Unifor is celebrating Premier Holt’s reversal of the policies that limited surgical abortion to hospital settings in New Brunswick within days of forming government.

“Expanding access to women’s reproductive care, to health care, is what we and many others advocated for, and what New Brunswickers voted for,” said Atlantic Regional Director Jennifer Murray. “This is a bright light in a week where we have been reminded that our human rights, our right to self-determination, and our access to life-saving health care should never be taken for granted.”

Unifor National Executive Board Statement on 2024 U.S. Election

Unifor members across the country have closely followed the 2024 United States election. Canada and the United States are economically interdependent. As a result, any change in U.S. policy and the U.S. economy is consequential to Canadian jobs, communities, economic sectors and trade. 

Sollio Agriculture unanimously ratify new agreement

Workers at Sollio Agriculture, a feed mill in New Minas, N.S., have ratified a new four-year collective agreement on Oct. 20, 2024, in a unanimous vote.

“Congratulations to the bargaining committee for negotiating a fair agreement for the members,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “A lot of work went into this agreement, and it shows.”

Unifor launches “Keep it in the Pipe” campaign to slash methane emissions

TORONTO—Unifor’s Energy Sector Council has launched the “Keep it in the Pipe” campaign, calling for comprehensive methane reduction regulations in Canada’s oil and gas sector.

“Unchecked methane leaks pose serious risks to workers, our communities, and ultimately the climate,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “But it doesn’t have to be this way. Today energy workers are proposing solutions that bring government, industry, and labour to the table.”

Best Theratronics continues to violate the Canada Labour Code as strike hits six months

KANATA, ONT.— Best Theratronics continues to refuse to negotiate as the ongoing strike by workers at its Kanata, ON facility hits the six-month mark on Nov. 1, 2024. Despite ongoing attempts by Unifor to resolve the dispute, including a proposal to resolve the dispute with the help of an independent arbitrator, the company refuses to negotiate or engage.

Unifor wins important arbitration case for Unifor Local 1859 members formerly employed at Adient in Tillsonburg

In a significant victory for approximately 190 workers affected by the sudden closure of the Adient seating plant in Tillsonburg, Ontario, an arbitrator has awarded each worker 14 weeks of additional pay for violating a promise to give six months notice of a plant closure. The 14 weeks pay is in addition to severance and notice of termination pay already received by the workers.

Unifor members achieve wage parity at Shorelines Casino Belleville

BELLEVILLE—Members of Unifor Local 1090 have ratified a new four-year collective agreement that helps harmonize wage rates at Shorelines casinos in the region.

“Local 1090 members set a goal and bargained skillfully to achieve it,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “They can be proud of their accomplishments in this round.”

The contract includes wages that will match Shorelines Peterborough rates by 2026, which includes increases of up to 32%. Other improvements include lower health benefit premiums and a higher full-to-part-time ratio. 

Porter YHZ aviation workers join Unifor

Unifor welcomes 53 new members from Porter Airlines at Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) to the union.

“Congratulations to our new members at Porter Airlines, we are thrilled to have you join more than 13,000aviation workers who are part of Unifor,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. 

“You’re joining a robust sector full of members who are fighting to improve working conditions throughout the industry, and we look forward to bargaining your first collective agreement.” 

Lana Payne outlines bargaining strong agreements and protecting union rights as top issues for Unifor and workers at Canada LERN event

At the head of Canada’s largest private-sector union, Unifor National President Lana Payne says defending union rights and empowering bargaining committees across the union are top of mind given the current climate. 

Payne shared perspectives on the current state of union relations and top issues related to Unifor’s members at the Canada Labour and Employee Relations Network (LERN) event in Toronto on Oct. 23, 2024.