July 18, 2017 Toronto—Unifor’s regional councils have added another $120,000 to BC wildfire relief donations, bringing the union’s total Red Cross donation to over $220,000. “I want to thank our regional bodies for stepping up to extend Unifor’s solidarity,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.
Toronto– A renegotiated North American Free Trade Agreement must include fundamental changes, including enforceable labour and environmental standards and the elimination of the disputes settlement system, Unifor tells the federal government.
On June 1, the Ontario government introduced the ‘Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act’ (Bill 148) in response to ongoing campaigns from workers demanding action to stop increasingly precarious work, better protections at work and a higher minimum wage.
This bill is currently undergoing public scrutiny and feedback through the Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs. While many of the proposed changes will benefit workers, this piece of legislation must go much further to truly empower workers and combat poverty,
July 14, 2017 Kitimat—Members of Unifor Local 2301 have voted 99.5% in favour of a strike if a fair deal cannot be reached at the bargaining table before July 23. “Rio Tinto has created a climate of extreme disrespect in the workplace, and it should be no surprise that these workers are fed up,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.
July 13, 2017 Campbell River—Unifor has reached a tentative agreement with Nyrstar at its Campbell River ore mine. “This is great news for workers and the community that has been impacted by unpredictable closures,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Our members are eager to get the mine fully operational again.” A combination of factors led the mine to slow operations nearly two years ago, reaching a total shut down in April 2017. Since then, Unifor has been working to help miners get re-training and find other work.
Toronto—Unifor is responding to the wildfire crisis in BC’s Interior with a $100,000 donation to the Canadian Red Cross, and is encouraging its local unions and members to give.
“Unifor members have been following the devastation caused by the fires very closely and we feel compelled to act,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “We encourage Unifor members and all Canadians to make a donation to the Red Cross so that the affected families can rebuild and recover.”
The first of what is planned to be several town halls across Canada over the coming year was held recently in Ingersoll, Ontario to discuss NAFTA and Canada's approach to trade negotiations. It was the first step in establishing a people's agenda for trade in Canada.
July 7, 2017 Thunder Bay – A tentative collective agreement has been reached between Bombardier and Unifor Local 1075 representing workers at the company’s plant in this northwestern Ontario city. “This deal is fair to the Thunder Bay workers at Bombardier while ensuring the continued production of its transit vehicles,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “The bargaining team worked very hard to get this deal, and I commend them for their work.” Details of the new collective agreement will be released after a ratification vote to be held on Sunday.
Vancouver— The Supreme Court of British Columbia has upheld the wage floor in the Container Trucking Act, after ten trucking companies sued the provincial government in an effort to avoid back pay and keep industry wages down.
“Container truck drivers work hard and deserve fair compensation,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Unifor fought hard to get higher pay rates and retroactivity included in the Act. We’re pleased that the court recognized the greed exhibited by these trucking companies for what it was.”
July 4, 2017 Winnipeg—Unifor is proud to be part of the Partnership to Defend Public Services, the coalition of Manitoba workers’ organizations that are challenging the province’s anti-union legislation. “Workers with good jobs are the first people that right-wing governments want to blame for fiscal problems of their own making,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.
Ottawa-The re-introduction of a second tariff on Canadian softwood lumber exports pushes the industry closer to crisis, says Unifor.
“These tariffs are a slap in the face to the concept of fair trade,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “It’s President Trump’s gift to U.S. landowners and hundreds of Canadian communities will pay the price.”
Ottawa—Forestry workers welcomed the news that the U.S. is dropping Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia from the Commerce Department’s tariff investigations.
“The ad hoc exclusion of three provinces from duties confirms what we’ve stated all along: there is no legal basis for duties on Canadian softwood lumber exports,” said Scott Doherty, Executive Assistant to Unifor’s National President. “This hardship can be avoided—the federal government must get to a negotiated solution as soon as possible.”
June 22, 2017 Victoria—Despite attractive promises, the BC Throne Speech is a desperate attempt to cling to power says Unifor. “British Columbians have no reason to trust anything coming from the Christy Clark government,” said Joie Warnock, Unifor’s Western Regional Director. “The Throne Speech shows that Premier Clark will say anything—at any cost—to stay in power.” More resembling the BC NDP’s election platform than a vision from the 2001–2017 BC Liberal government, the Speech from the Throne contained promises for childcare and campaign finance reform.
The recent announcement of a Delastek expansion in Mexico demonstrates once again that this employer never intended to negotiate in good faith with workers, says Unifor. The union represents employees of Delastek, members of Local 1209, who have been on strike for more than two years.
June 19, 2017 Toronto—A diverse mix of workers, community allies, and employers held rallies in five cities across three provinces to demand a new Canada-U.S. softwood lumber agreement that protects good jobs. "Tens of thousands of jobs and the future of dozens of communities depend on fair trade in softwood lumber,” said Scott Doherty, Executive Assistant to Unifor’s National President. “All across Canada workers and employers are rallying today to tell the federal government to negotiate a fair trade agreement with the U.S.
June 19, 2017 Vancouver—Several hotels in downtown Vancouver and Victoria are in bargaining with Unifor this summer as hospitality workers seek to share in the economic success of the hotel industry. “Unifor defends workers’ rights in the hospitality sector,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “We look forward to bargaining fair wages and healthy working conditions in Vancouver and Victoria hotels.” Workers at the Hotel Vancouver, the Coast Coal Harbour, the Residence Inn, and the Hotel Grand Pacific are looking to make gains during a time of strong sales and profits.
Toronto—A diverse mix of workers, community allies, and employers held rallies in five cities across three provinces to demand a new Canada-U.S. softwood lumber agreement that protects good jobs.
"Tens of thousands of jobs and the future of dozens of communities depend on fair trade in softwood lumber,” said Scott Doherty, Executive Assistant to Unifor’s National President. “All across Canada workers and employers are rallying today to tell the federal government to negotiate a fair trade agreement with the U.S. before any more jobs are lost.”
Celebrating Indigenous peoples’ culture, history and achievements is important throughout Aboriginal History Month, but of added significance on June 21, National Aboriginal Day. As Canada marks its 150 years of Confederation we must acknowledge both the effects of this nationhood on Indigenous people and the fact that Indigenous people have lived on these lands for thousands of years.
June 16, 2017 Toronto - The union representing 12,000 Canadian journalists and media workers joined today with News Media Canada in requesting a federal fund to support Canadian news outlets. “Canadian journalism is essential to our democracy. The proposal for an expanded Canadian Periodical Fund will put journalists back on the street at a time when the advertising revenue that pays for them is being stripped away by Google and Facebook,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.
June 16, 2017 Toronto, ON – Toronto 2017 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) Host Society announced Unifor as a presenting partner for the multi-sport Games, taking place in the City of Toronto and Greater Toronto Area (GTA), this summer from July 16-23. Details of the Unifor agreement include official naming rights to the two, week-long cultural festivals on the campuses of McMaster University and York University, as well as naming rights to all medal ceremonies taking place at both the cultural festival sites and various sport venues.
June 15, 2017 TORONTO- Unifor welcomes the Heritage Committee report on Canadian media and local news. “The Heritage Committee conducted a 15-month study of Canadian media and have recommended 21st century solutions for 21st century problems,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.
June 12, 2017 Toronto – Today's child care announcement by federal and provincial and territorial ministers responsible for early childhood education on a long-awaited framework agreement falls far short of what Canadians need. "Children are missing out on early learning and development opportunities and society is missing out on the talents of workers - mostly women - who cannot afford to enter or re-enter the workforce," said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.
Toronto - Unifor is calling on the federal and provincial governments to put a halt to the practice by clinics of charging user-fees for necessary health services, as found in a ground-breaking new report by the Ontario Health Coalition.
“Health care should never be a money-making venture,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “The growth in private clinics is undermining universal accessible health care. Governments should not be so naïve to believe that the two can co-exist, without destroying our cherished public health care system.”
Joe Lucier and Cathy Baker-Wiebenga will be available at Local 127 - 405 Riverview Drive, Suite 305 Chatham, ON at the following times to answer questions and help members with their pension option statements.
The Union is still dealing with a number of issues that concern the packages that Navistar workers received from Morneau Shepell - we are in the midst of correcting these issues.
