Share
May 13, 2021
TORONTO — Reliance Home Comfort, a multi-billion-dollar HVAC company, has locked out its COVID heroes just as the weather starts to warm for spring.
“The Unifor members at Reliance have worked through the winter and through the pandemic to make sure our homes are warm and comfortable throughout the lockdowns, and now the company is tossing them aside,” Unifor National President Jerry Dias said.
“These workers serve Reliance customers with pride, but we have seen no movement on key issues from the employer this week.”
The Ontario-based HVAC, plumbing, and electrical provider locked out more than 830 members of Unifor Local 1999 across the province before exhausting all its options at the bargaining table, Unifor said.
“We were prepared to bargain around the clock to avoid a lock out and any disruptions to customers,” said James Tauvette, President of Local 1999. “But the company was not prepared to significantly move from their position, which was rejected by the membership. We can’t reach a fair collective agreement without the good faith participation of Reliance.”
Unifor Local 1999 represents HVAC service technicians, installers, water heater installers, plumbers, electricians and administration staff at 13 locations across Ontario.
Unifor is Canada’s largest union in the private sector, representing 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.
To arrange for interviews, in-person or via Skype or FaceTime, please contact Unifor Communications Representative Stuart Laidlaw at @email or 647-385-4054 (cell).
