All News

B.C.’s Labour Code changes are good news for workers

April 30, 2019

VANCOUVER – Unifor applauds B.C.’s NDP government for new laws that will end contract flipping by employers.

“Many of our members have lost their jobs because of this heartless, money grab by employers,” said Unifor President Jerry Dias.  “We commend the BC NDP for changing the labour code to ensure greater stability in the workplace.”

The changes mean that workers who have built up fair wages and job security over years of hard work and dedication do not see those stripped away when contracts are re-tendered.

Unifor will defend Ontario’s public healthcare system against Conservative privatization

Toronto – The passing of Bill 74 will strengthen Unifor’s commitment in fighting for Ontarians and against Doug Ford’s health care privatization and cuts.

“By passing Bill 74, Doug Ford has made it clear that he has an agenda of cutting and privatizing our healthcare system in Ontario,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “This regressive law has the potential to destroy our public health care system. Unifor is committed to building a major fightback campaign against Ford’s privatization plan.”

UCP majority means Alberta workers must unite to defend just and equal future

Edmonton – Unifor pledges to continue building progressive organizing in Alberta following the election of a majority United Conservative Party (UCP) government. “Through a difficult and heated election, voters made it clear that they were worried about the future of good jobs for Albertans,” said Unifor President Jerry Dias. “If implemented, Jason Kenney’s plan will threaten good jobs in the energy sector and will mean outright cuts to public sector jobs in education and healthcare.

Oil Patch workers campaign in last minute push for NDP before election

Media Advisory – Photo Opportunity

Calgary – Workers from Alberta’s oil sands and Unifor members who are worried about the future of the industry if the UCP forms government will be campaigning  in support of the NDP today.  Photo and interview opportunities are available while they door knock and engage voters, in a last minute push to support NDP candidates before the election.

What:   Campaigning – photo op and interviews

When:   April 15, 2019

What oil sands companies are not saying in this election (but should)

April 12, 2019

CALGARY - Workers from Alberta’s energy sector are calling on oil sands company executives to speak out about the threat Jason Kenney’s policies represent to the future of the oil sands.

“The CEOS and executives at Alberta’s biggest oil sands companies know the NDP got it right,” said Kim Conway, Chair of Unifor’s Energy Council.

Media Advisory - Workers from the energy sector call on oil companies to speak out about a serious threat to the industry’s future

April 11, 2019

CALGARY - Workers from the front lines of the energy sector are calling on the oil companies to speak out about the serious threat Kenney’s policies will have on their future. They know that the industry must change. Diversification is the only way it will survive and the NDP’s plan will save Alberta from economic ruination in the energy sector. 

The oil patch CEOs know it too. Suncor’s CEO once said, “Kenney’s approach of ignoring what our potential customers really want puts both investment and jobs at risk.”

Ford’s first budget pushes piecemeal programs to distract from lack of vision

April 11, 2019

TORONTO – Ford’s first budget threatens future growth and prosperity with dramatic tightening of public service spending and lack of leadership on manufacturing.  

"Conservatives have failed to reflect the priorities of working families in Ontario,” said Naureen Rizvi, Unifor Ontario Regional Director. “Essentially freezing government spending on education, health and social services won’t go unnoticed in public services that are already underfunded and in dire need of core funding.”

Windsor Regional Hospital workers shocked by layoffs

WINDSOR- Unifor members working at Windsor Regional Hospital were shocked by the news of the hospitals plan to layoff 80 workers, including those in housekeeping and food services. “Windsor Regional Hospital CEO David Musyj is trying to sell these layoffs as necessary cost improvements that will have no impact on direct patient care,” said National President Jerry Dias. “That could not be further from the truth.

Unifor urges B.C. Government to improve working conditions

VICTORIA – Dozens of Unifor members from across the province are gathering in Victoria for three days of lobbying aimed at improving working conditions for the people of B.C., including children. 

“Its 2019 and yet women in B.C. still make significantly less than their male colleagues,” said Joie Warnock, Unifor Western Regional Director. “For every dollar a man earns per hour, women make 65 cents. That’s close to the highest wage gap in Canada and B.C. is long overdue for pro-active pay equity legislation.”

Bell stoops to new low by slashing technicians’ hours

March 18, 2019

TORONTO - Unifor members call foul on Bell’s move to slash technicians’ hours across Ontario and Quebec. 

Hundreds of Technicians working for Bell are categorized as part-time in name only, regularly working 40-hour weeks for many years. Last week, Bell suddenly changed that, so that technicians across Ontario and Quebec are seeing hours and pay cheques cut in half.

Collective agreement set to expire at SaskTel

REGINA—The Scott Moe government has failed to secure a new collective agreement with yet another group of Crown corporation workers before the expiry of their agreement—this time with the nearly 3,000 workers represented by Unifor at SaskTel.

“Premier Moe is steering negotiations towards a province-wide service disruption,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Crown workers have had enough. They’re prepared to take a stand to defend high-quality Crown services.”

Pallister’s tax cuts will slowly starve hospitals and schools

March 7, 2019

WINNIPEG- Premier Brian Pallister’s crass attempts to win popularity with tax cuts will drain core public programs of funding, says Unifor.

“Tax cuts are a gift to the wealthy and a slap in the face to working families,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Pallister’s tax cuts mean one thing for working families: inferior hospitals and schools.”

Saturday March 9 is the annual Toronto's International Women's Day rally and march

The theme is "We are Fearless: Organizing our Communities, Supporting Each Other, Growing the Resistance”. Speakers will support our critical social programs including health care, education and justice, dignity and fairness for all workers.

Community speakers and performers include Indygo Arscott, Indigenous Activist; Catherine Brooks, Indigenous Elder; Nicky Lawrence, blues singer; singers Moscow Apartment and more.

Rexall workers charting a course towards decent work

OTTAWA- Retail workers at Ottawa-area Rexall stores are set to return to the bargaining table united in their demand for decent wages and fairness.

“Rexall is raking in profits, but expects employees to be content with precarious, part-time, minimum wage jobs,” said Gord Currie, President of Unifor Local 414. “Retail workers deserve better. We fought for reforms like fairer scheduling through legislative change then the Conservatives rolled it back. Now we’re facing the employer to write decent work into the contract.”

OPSEU & Unifor members to Ford government: ‘We’re ready to ramp up the fight’

TORONTO – Workers represented by Ontario’s largest public and private sector unions have joined forces to deliver a message to the provincial government: if priorities don’t shift in the provincial budget, we’re ready to ramp up the fight.

Unifor and OPSEU members from sectors and regions across Ontario are at Queen’s Park this week to meet with Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) and present a vision for well-funded public services and decent work in Ontario. 

Tentative Agreement reached with Ontario Northland

February 18, 2019

NORTH BAY –Unifor Local 103 has reached a tentative agreement with the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission (ONTC) to renew all five Unifor Agreements that expired on December 31, 2018. 

“I want to congratulate our bargaining committee on their hard work in attaining a fair settlement during challenging times at ONTC,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.

Unifor and OPSEU Presidents to hold news conference

TORONTO – Media are invited to a press conference marking the start of a provincial lobby week that will bring together public and private sector workers in Ontario. 

Representative of OPSEU and Unifor will come together in Toronto to lobby for much-needed investments and legislative changes in order to build strong public services and grow good jobs.

On Wednesday, the presidents of both participating unions will communicate that shared vision for a more fair and equitable province, and will be available for questions.