TORONTO –Unifor is disappointed and frustrated that Postmedia has largely kept the union and media workers hanging with a slow bleed of information that has provided no real clarity to workers about what jobs are on the chopping block.
“Workers are still in the dark after the company announced restructuring plans over a week ago. To dangle dire news that is detrimental to media workers’ livelihoods, careers and families is disrespectful and hurtful to the workers who have given so much to the company,” said Unifor’s National President Lana Payne.
OTTAWA – As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his cabinet gather in Hamilton for a three-day retreat, a broad coalition of unions and progressive groups says that implementing a comprehensive pharmacare program must be a top priority for the Liberal government. The cost-of-living crisis has significantly increased cost-related obstacles to Canadians’ access to prescription drugs, while high drug prices are draining billions of dollars from hospitals’ budgets.
DELTA, B.C.—Workers at the Cascades casino in Delta became Unifor’s newest members after the B.C. Labour Board certified the unit on January 24, 2023.
“Unifor is very proud to welcome a new group of hospitality and gaming workers into our union, joining thousands of Unifor members in the sector. We thank the Cascades workers for choosing Unifor and I know they are eager to get started on having a say in improving their working conditions,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
TORONTO- The Bank of Canada’s decision to impose a quarter-point interest rate hike willfully ignores inflation data, unfairly jeopardizes workers’ jobs and fails to address the root causes of price increases.
CROFTON, B.C.—The combined investments of the David Eby government, the federal government and Paper Excellence will help recall more than 100 workers at the pulp and paper mill in Crofton.
TORONTO –Unifor is looking at all options to protect media workers after Postmedia announced restructuring plans today, which includes laying off workers in the media sector.
"We will do everything in our power to protect our members working in the media sector,” said Unifor’s National President Lana Payne. “Journalists and media workers often put their lives on the line to provide fact-based reporting to the public and they deserve respect, not constantly worrying when the next axe in the newsroom will drop.”
HALIFAX- Members of Unifor MWF 1 ratified a new four-and-a-half year collective agreement with Irving Shipbuilding.
“On behalf of the union, I send my thanks and congratulations to the MWF 1 bargaining committee for what they achieved for workers at the Halifax Shipyard,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “In addition to important economic improvements, this agreement will support the growth of the skilled workforce in the shipyard, an anchor for good union employment in the Halifax region.”
PRINCE GEORGE, B.C.-The permanent closure of the pulp line at Canfor’s Prince George mill was preventable, says Unifor.
“Hundreds of families have been forced to deal with job loss due to an entirely preventable mill closure,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “Our union, along with many others, has been advocating for better and more sustainable forestry policies for years. It’s clear this government is not moving fast enough to repair the damage done by the B.C. Liberals.”
TORONTO- Unifor will continue to fight for public health care in the face of Ontario PC government’s latest steps into privatization.
“This is far from the first step of Ontario’s path toward private healthcare, but this must be where it ends,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “Public health care in Ontario is too important and we will not allow this government to bring us closer to an American-style for-profit system of health.”
VANCOUVER- Unifor Local 101R has reached a tentative agreement with Canadian Pacific Railway (CP), covering 1,200 workers at 18 locations from British Columbia to Quebec.
“These are hard working members who provide a vital service and I know the Bargaining Committee was determined to make progress during these difficult times,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “I thank the Committee for their outstanding work.”
TORONTO—The Ontario Minister of Health was briefed on Bill 124’s ill effects rippling across Ontario’s health care system, newly obtained ministerial briefing documents have revealed.
HALIFAX-The union representing workers at the Irving Shipyard has reached a tentative collective agreement covering more than 1,000 tradespeople building the next generation of Canada’s naval fleet.
“The members of MWF-Local 1 at the Halifax Shipyard are a dynamic, diverse, and skilled group of workers,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “I congratulate the bargaining committee for their outstanding work in reaching a tentative agreement with Irving Shipbuilding.”
CAP-CHAT, QUE., – A deal has been reached between Unifor and Bois Chic-Chocs (Damabois), with Local 299 members voting 100% to ratify the tentative agreement presented to them at a meeting on Dec. 12, 2022, ending a six-week strike at the plant.
SAINT JOHN– New Brunswick labour leaders will protest Bill 23 outside Labour Minister Trevor Holder’s office on Monday, December 19, 2022.
“The labour movement will not sit quietly while Premier Blaine Higgs passes legislation that strips rights away from the hard-working people of this province,” said Daniel Legere, President of the New Brunswick Federation of Labour.
SAINT JOHN– New Brunswick Federation of Labour, its affiliate unions, and Unifor will protest Bill 23 outside the offices of Labour Minister Trevor Holder, and MLAs Ernie Steeves (Moncton), Arlene Dunn (Saint John), and Jill Green (Fredericton) on Monday, December 19, 2022.
“The labour movement will not sit quietly while Premier Blaine Higgs passes legislation that strips rights away from the hard-working people of this province,” said Daniel Legere, President of the New Brunswick Federation of Labour.
QUEBEC CITY - Local 2002 members working at the Aéroport de Québec in Quebec City voted 70% in favour of the tentative agreement presented to them at a ratification meeting on Dec. 12, 2022.
The new three-year contract offers wage increases of 6% in the first year, 4% in the second year and 4% in the third year.
TORONTO - Bill C-35 is important legislation to enshrine the federal government’s commitment to early learning and child care, says Unifor.
“We welcome the protection of child care investments for generations to come,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “Working parents need high-quality, affordable child care more than ever and we will continue to work with provincial, territorial and federal governments to make child care accessible to all.”
MONTREAL- Voting in a virtual meeting, Transervice members ratified the settlement proposed by the mediator by 72%, thus putting an end to the six-week-long strike.
The four-year contract includes wage increases of 10.5% over the duration of the collective agreement, in addition to a signing bonus and several other improvements to working conditions.
All members are slated to return to work on December 12, 2022.
TORONTO – Sunwing pilots are celebrating news the company has decided to abandon its intention to use the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) to boost staffing levels.
“Our main concern from the get-go was training and safety,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “As a union, we expect rigorous analysis before an employer is allowed to use the TFWP. We’re pleased that Sunwing chose to back away from using TFWP and honour our collective agreement.”
MONTREAL- On Wednesday, Unifor Local 62 members working at Bombardier’s Laurent Beaudoin Completion Centre voted 83.8% in favour of the new tentative agreement.
The new contract lasts three years and includes wage hikes of 6.5% for the first year and 3% for each of the second and third year, as well as a signing bonus of $2,000 to protect against inflation. The monthly retirement pension benefit will also be raised by $4.00 as of January 1, 2023, $2.00 on January 1, 2024 and $2.00 on January 1, 2025.
MISSISSAUGA—International logistics conglomerate Kuehne + Nagel is jeopardizing holiday package delivery by refusing to offer decent pay to 140 striking workers at its Hogan warehouse in Mississauga, Ontario.
INGERSOLL—Unifor National President Lana Payne joined autoworkers, local union leaders, General Motors representatives and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier Doug Ford to celebrate the opening of the newly retooled GM CAMI assembly plant in Ingersoll, Ontario.
“Our CATCA members provide critical services needed for safe travel in our country. They are professionals who see collective bargaining as a way to improve that service to Canadians," said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “Local 5454’s bargaining team are experienced and will be in our members’ corner every step of the way and ready to fight for a fair contract.”
THUNDER BAY—The number of workers at the Alstom Thunder Bay plant has hit an all-time low, a situation deeply aggravated by the Ontario government’s awarding of a $9 billion contract to a consortium run by Hitachi Rail, according to Unifor.
TORONTO–Unifor is relieved that its member, Bal Krishna Dubey, who has been detained in the Dominican Republic with four other Pivot Airlines crew members since April 2022, is finally home in Canada in time for the holidays.
“It’s been a long and exhausting journey for the crew,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “Unifor supported our member throughout this ordeal and our union will continue to support him with all available resources as he recovers from this harrowing and traumatic experience.”
WHISTLER—Wage increases and improved sick day benefits are key features of a new three-year collective agreement signed between Unifor Local 3000 and the Aava Hotel Whistler.
“Unifor contracts lead the hospitality sector in Whistler and across British Columbia,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “With Unifor, hospitality workers have a reason to be optimistic about the opportunities to secure fair wages and safe working conditions.”
EDMONTON—Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s very first piece of legislation is a breath-taking power grab that will only cause chaos and distract her government from the real economic problems facing Alberta’s families, says Unifor.
TORONTO – Unifor celebrates today’s decision by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, which ruled that Premier Ford’s Bill 124 unduly infringes on workers’ rights.
“Today’s decision is a victory for not only public sector workers and unions across Ontario, but also for every Ontarian who relies on our public services,” Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “For the past four years, workers fought back against this wage suppression bill through direct action, lobbying, and sharing personal experiences. When workers organize for justice, we can win.”
NAPANEE, Ontario- Unifor members at Strathcona Paperworks voted 94% in favour of strike action as negotiations with their employer have stalled.
“Strathcona Paperworks has enjoyed record profits over the last few years but they aren’t coming to the table with an offer that recognizes the workers behind those profits,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “These members are ready to stand up for themselves and the union stands with them all the way.”
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