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Tentative Agreement Reached

The Unifor ACL bargaining committee is pleased to report that a tentative agreement has been reached with Bell Aliant, after eight tough sessions of bargaining in Halifax.

Staffing levels lead to Domtar pulp mill shutdown

February 16, 2018

ESPANOLA, ONTARIO—Unifor is working with Domtar to find solutions to the staffing levels that have resulted in the pulp mill’s temporary shutdown.

“We’re disappointed with Domtar’s actions but we are doing everything we can to ensure that the mill is re-activated with safety in mind,” said Scott Doherty, Unifor Assistant to the National President.

After steam plant staffing levels reached a critical low, some operations could no longer continue. The company later initiated a shutdown, forcing dozens of workers to stop working.

Eastern pulp and paper bargaining target will be Resolute

February 16, 2018

MONTREAL—Over 120 Unifor delegates kicked off bargaining preparation for the pattern agreement in the pulp and paper industry in Eastern Canada by selecting Resolute Forestry Products as the target company.

“I’m eager to get forestry workers what they deserve: a fair collective agreement that reflects their contributions to the industry,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “The forestry industry in Canada is well-positioned for a pattern agreement that reflects workers’ priorities.”

Workers at downtown Toronto Hyatt vote to join Unifor

February 16, 2018

TORONTO – Workers at the landmark Hyatt Regency hotel in downtown Toronto have voted to join Unifor, the fifth location where workers decided to leave the American parent union that placed their local in trusteeship.

Progress made in N.S. health care bargaining

The Nova Scotia Council of Health Care Unions just completed six days of conciliation in January with the employers, the Nova Scotia Health Authority and IWK Hospital, and another 12 days of bargaining are scheduled for this spring.

Bargaining has produced some steady progress but the employers have also tabled several significant concessions. The employer is seeking concessions which the unions believe directly contradicts Premier Stephen McNeil’s claim that health care workers would not lose benefits as a result of amalgamation.

Bargaining Highlights

Your Bargaining Committee has negotiated a tentative agreement that increases wages and improves job security.
Your Bargaining Committee unanimously recommends the Tentative Agreement and urges you to vote in favour of the recommendation for acceptance.

Download (PDF).

Justice for Colten

February 13, 2018

Unifor echoes and amplifies the longstanding demands from Indigenous people for reform of Canada’s broken justice system.

In June of 2017, the union put out a statement for National Indigenous Peoples Day that called on the federal government to take real, measureable actions towards reconciling our past with our future.

At that time, Unifor called for the federal government to provide equal funding for on-reserve child welfare systems and end the discrimination against Indigenous children that has been proven in federal court.

More hotel workers vote to join Unifor, more votes planned

February 5, 2018

TORONTO – Another 215 hotel workers joined Unifor today after votes were held at hotels across Toronto and Mississauga, leaving behind the American union that had placed their old local in trusteeship.

“When given the choice, these workers have sent a clear signal that they want to be members of a union that listens to their concerns and treats them with respect,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “I am humbled that they have chosen Unifor.”

Tentative Agreement Reached - Bargaining Bulletin #4

After round the clock bargaining with Bell Technical Solutions the Quebec and Ontario bargaining committees are pleased to report that a tentative agreement was reach. The committees have unanimously recommended this tentative agreement with the employer.

Details on the ratification schedule will be circulated shortly. The bargaining committees wish to thank all members for support and solidarity during this set of negotiations.

Hotel workers’ voice blocked by U.S. union

February 2, 2018

TORONTO – During a week in which workers at three Toronto hotels voted to join Unifor, the American union they are leaving behind moved to block the voice of workers from being heard, Unifor says.

“Workers are making the democratic choice to stand up to exactly this type of bullying and intimidation and to be part of a strong Canadian union,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.

Overwhelming strike vote at Windsor Star

Workers at the Windsor Star newspaper have given their bargaining committees an overwhelming strike mandate as they try to reach a fair collective...

Bargaining Bulletin #3

After 24 days of negotiations with BTS the bargaining deadline has been reached but there is no agreement. While some progress has been made the union is far apart from the employer.  Bargaining will continue but mobilization efforts are needed. The strength of a united membership will make a difference.

Read more (PDF).

Driverless trucks aren’t the solution for Suncor

January 31, 2018

FORT MCMURRAY— Replacing hundreds of heavy machine operators with driverless trucks would be a mistake, says the union representing workers at Suncor.

“Highly experienced and capable operators will always need to play a role in Oilsands extraction, and it is a mistake to think otherwise,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.