Honourable Harry Bains
Minister of Labour
West Annex Parliament Buildings
Victoria, BC V8V 1X4 @email
RE: Paid Sick Leave
Dear Minister Bains,
I'm writing as a follow up to our many conversations about paid sick leave, including the broad-based lobbying effort undertaken by Unifor members this spring.
Unifor is hosting seven online forums beginning next week that will shine a spotlight on racial justice in the workplace over the next month.
The sessions – kicking off Sept. 16, 2021 in the Atlantic region – will bring together union leadership, activists, employers and community organizations to brainstorm new ideas, tools, strategies and policies for racial justice, whether in union locals, workplaces and communities.
As an extension to the NEB Statement on Vaccine Certificates adopted in August 2021 and Considerations to Guide the Re-Opening of Canada’s Economy adopted in May 2021, the NEB makes the following statement:
PICTON —Revera plans to cut long-term care jobs at Hallowell House in Picton, Ontario during the fourth wave of COVID-19.
"Clearly Revera has learned nothing during this pandemic," said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. "Revera is determined to maintain skeleton staff levels to care for residents as it continues its profit over people business model."
Despite significant progress made in Canada’s campaign to stop the spread of COVID-19 over recent months, including nearly three-quarters of eligible people being fully vaccinated, the country is staring down a fourth wave of the virus.
Sadly, this comes as little surprise. Epidemiologists the world over continue to warn that until vaccines reach a critical mass of people, globally, variants will spread – evolving into more highly transmissible and potentially deadlier strains.
While Premier Andrew Furey is contemplating cutting wages and regressing working conditions for people across the province, as recommended by Moya Greene in her Premier’s Economic Recovery Team (PERT) ‘Big Reset’ Report, governments and advisors the world over are talking about building back better with inclusive growth policies that ensure no one gets left behind.
Unifor’s national website has undergone a substantial makeover with a modern new design to make it easier for members to stay up to date, connect with campaigns, and connect with their union.
Unifor’s communications department has spent months redesigning Unifor.org to better meet the union’s needs with an updated, mobile friendly theme.
The new website supports the union’s multi-media campaigns to make help ensure that the voice of workers is loud and clear online in Canada.
TORONTO — After mounting calls by unions, local medical officers and health care workers the Ontario government established a province-wide COVID-19 vaccine certificate system.
TORONTO – Unifor National President Jerry Dias is calling on the prime minister and the Ontario premier to state publicly that there will be no government money for De Havilland if Unifor members are not building the Dash-8 airplane.
Unifor is donating a total of $17,000 to three organizations to help get Afghan journalists out of the country following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan.
“A new Liberal government will re-engage on Canadian health care and negotiate a new Health Accord with provinces and territories, including a long-term agreement on funding.”
Health Spending In Canada
Canada’s total health spending for 2015 is expected to be $219.1 billion, an increase of $3.4 billion that represents 10.9% of our country’s GDP.
The following message was sent to Unifor's Newfoundland and Labrador Locals on April 16, 2019
Dear Newfoundland and Labrador Unifor Locals
A provincial election is expected to be called any day.
This election, Unifor will be demanding improved workers rights for all workers.
We have prepared a questionnaire for all the main political parties. It is attached for your information. We will provide a report on the responses we receive to you and your members.
TORONTO–Unifor will hold a rally and news conference at the De Havilland picket line on Tuesday, August 24, 2021, where workers are on strike to stop their wealthy corporate owners from moving Dash 8 aircraft production, putting 700 jobs at the Toronto facility at risk.
TORONTO–An overreaching injunction issued by Justice Fred Myers against Unifor members who are on strike and picketing at De Havilland Aircraft of Canada is an affront to workers’ rights, says Canada’s largest private sector union.
August 19, 2021 TORONTO – A vote by workers at a General Motors plant in Mexico this week, rejecting an imposed and undemocratic union contract, is a great step forward for them and for workers across North America, Unifor National President Jerry Dias says. “This is exactly what we worked so hard to achieve during the talks to renegotiate NAFTA. Every worker deserves a real voice in their workplace” Dias said.
Unifor is expressing solidarity with the people and workers of Afghanistan, as news reports continue to paint a dire and desperate situation for the country's people. Over the past few weeks, the Taliban have advanced across Afghanistan, which has caused a rise in violence and threats against citizens.
The layoffs being announced at Bell Media at its Queen Street location today, resulting in 27 jobs lost and another 22 jobs being reclassified, shows the need to level the playing field as foreign Internet broadcasters operate outside existing regulations.
Newly elected Progressive Conservative Premier Tim Houston must deliver on promises to fix health care and better the lives of Nova Scotia workers and he must make science-based decisions to safely re-open the Northern Pulp mill in his home riding says Unifor.
Union leaders from the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario, SEIU Healthcare, and Unifor were joined by a frontline healthcare worker at a media conference on Tuesday to demand an urgent and comprehensive strategy from the Ford government to address the worsening health human resource crisis in Ontario that is leaving seniors and patients without the staffing levels they need.
TORONTO–Unifor will host a rally to support De Havilland workers on strike at the Downsview picket line on Tuesday, August 17 at 12 noon.
“Hundreds of good aerospace jobs in Toronto are at risk of being lost when we need them most,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “We need our economy to recover rapidly from the effects of COVID-19. With a federal election in full swing it’s time for politicians to take action to protect highly skilled workers now more than ever.”
SEIU Healthcare, CUPE, and Unifor to hold joint media conference with frontline healthcare worker on August 17 – 10 a.m.
Union leaders from the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario, SEIU Healthcare, and Unifor will be joined by a frontline healthcare worker at a media conference on Tuesday to discuss the worsening health human resource crisis in Ontario that is leaving seniors and patients without the staffing levels they need.
TORONTO – Unifor members in Bell’s craft units vote to ratify a collective agreement that protects full time jobs, increases wages, and expands the company’s diversity and inclusion.
“Unifor members in telecommunications continue to set industry standards with this contract. Canada’s telecom workers provide an indispensable service to communities, families and businesses, and the commitment of union members and the bargaining committee helped ensure that their contributions are fully recognised in this contract,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.
Canadian Salt’s refusal to negotiate a fair collective agreement with Unifor Local 823 could force a strike at a major road salt supplier in the Maritimes.
With Canadians going to the polls on September 20, Canada’s largest private sector union is urging federal parties to put workers, and the need to “BuildBackBetter” for working people at the heart of all platforms.
