GANDER - D-J Composites has consented to binding arbitration to resolve a 21-month lockout of Unifor Local 597 members.
“On Monday we asked Premier Dwight Ball to intervene and stand up for 30 workers who have been on a picket line far too long and we are pleased that with his assistance, we are going to binding arbitration,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor’s National President.
Binding arbitration will eventually lead to a collective agreement, which will end the lockout.
CHATHAM, ON - Health care workers and members of Local 2458 invite the community of Chatham and surrounding areas to a rally to protest cuts to front-line care for seniors in long-term care.
What: Rally for care for residents When: Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at 1:30 pm Where: 91 Tecumseh Road Chatham, Ontario N7M 1B3 Who: Health care workers, Unifor Local 2458 members and members of the public
GANDER - Unifor is outraged, but not surprised, that D-J Composites is refusing to negotiate an end to the 21-month lockout at the Gander aerospace plant.
“The company is not being honest with the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. DJ Composites’ bargaining has been illegal and deceitful and for this company to expect our union and members to be patient at day 648 is frankly ridiculous,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor’s National President.
TORONTO- Unifor calls for the defence of equal pay provisions that protect millions of part-time and temporary workers in Ontario.
“Paying two workers dramatically different wages for performing the same job attacks the very core of fairness,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “The Retail Council of Canada shows a callous disrespect for retail workers by lobbying to re-instate this two-tiered treatment.”
GANDER - Unifor’s National President, Jerry Dias and the President of the N.L. Federation of Labour, Mary Shortall, will join the picket line to stand with 30 Aerospace workers who have been locked out 92 weeks in Gander, N.L. “Thursday marks the 647th day that a U.S. employer has locked out our members in an attempt to break our union. We now have hundreds of members standing outside saying that is not going to happen,” said Dias.
GANDER - Hundreds of union activists and supporters have turned the tables on the managers and scabs at a Gander Aerospace facility where 30 Unifor members have been on a picket line for 646 days, effectively locking them out.
“We have had enough of D-J Composites breaking labour laws and treating our members with contempt,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor’s National President. “It is time to take a stand for not only our members but for all workers across Canada.”
REGINA—The sell-off of two publicly-owned gas plants is a betrayal of a promise made to the people of Saskatchewan during the last election, says Unifor.
“How many times can this government break the same promise?” asked Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “We simply cannot trust Scott Moe. His government’s word is worthless.”
TORONTO – Unifor warns that rushed debate on the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) legislation hurts Canada’s trade position at a crucial point in NAFTA negotiations.
TORONTO—Unifor Local 7575 members at the Toronto Marriott Bloor Yorkville have voted overwhelmingly to ratify a path-breaking collective agreement, with significant economic gains and breakthroughs in job security and workload protections.
“We believe this is the first time in Ontario that a collective agreement has fully protected room attendants’ work from sham ‘green’ programs at a Marriott property,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.
TORONTO – More than 800 workers at Toronto’s iconic Fairmont Royal York voted today on whether to switch unions and join Unifor, following a ruling from the labour board last week ordering the vote.
“These workers are finally getting the democratic choice they deserve to belong to a union of their own choosing,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.
ST. JOHN’S - Unifor National President Jerry Dias is again reaching out to Premier Dwight Ball to meet concerning the 631-day lockout of 30 aerospace workers in Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador.
Dias called the Premier’s office today.
It is the fourth request from Unifor for a meeting with the Premier whose media statements about the lockout this week clearly indicate he doesn’t understand what is at play in this dispute that is likely the longest lockout in the province’s labour history.
GANDER – Unifor will host a major rally in Gander, Newfoundland, marking the 92rd week of a difficult lockout by D-J Composites.
“This callous lockout has been dragged on for far too long by this union-busting employer and a shamefully complacent provincial government,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “If you believe that workers deserve to be treated fairly by their bosses and that governments should support working people - then I’ll see you at our rally in Gander on September 26.”
TORONTO – A tentative agreement has been reached between Unifor Local 7575 and the Toronto Marriott Bloor Yorkville, averting a strike.
“We are pleased that the bargaining committee has reached an agreement they will recommend to members that if ratified, will avoid any inconvenience to hotel guests and the public during the Toronto International Film Festival,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor’s National President.
OSHAWA – As key issues are negotiated at the ongoing NAFTA talks and debate is set to begin on the CPTPP, Unifor invites community members and the media to the Oshawa People’s Trade Town Hall.
“Amid all the drama and brinkmanship it’s vital that workers’ interests are brought to the table and incorporated into any new agreement,” said Colin James, President of Unifor Local 222, representing GM Oshawa workers. “For too long international trade deals have benefited corporations and not people.”
September 5, 2018 HALIFAX - Unifor welcomes the establishment of an expert advisory panel on Nova Scotia’s long-term care system. “The system is under-funded. Workers, most of whom are women, earn low to modest wages. The funding cuts by the McNeil government have made it harder for a system that was already challenged to deliver high quality care,” said Lana Payne, Unifor’s Atlantic Regional Director. “Workers are stressed to the max, working short staffed, and worried about their patients and residents, most of whom are seniors.”
The federal government’s plans to modernize labour standards in the federal jurisdiction can’t happen fast enough says Unifor, after a report on government consultations was released today.
TORONTO- – There is no excuse for any shortage of school bus drivers when classes start next week, as some Ontario school boards are already warning could happen, Unifor says.
“It can’t really be a surprise to anyone that if you pay someone poorly, make them work for free and flip their contracts every few years, that you then have trouble recruiting and keeping employees,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.
“When drivers are paid fairly, they stick around. It’s not that complicated.”
TORONTO- Unifor, the union representing employees at Aeroplan and customer sales and service agents at Air Canada has reached out to the businesses after an announcement that Aeroplan will be purchased by a consortium of companies.
Unifor Local 2002 represents 450 members who work at Aeroplan in British Columbia and Quebec, as well as 4,600 members who work at Air Canada call centres and customer sales and service agents at 9 airports across the country.
Yesterday, the federal government announced $189 million in funding to extend employment insurance coverage for seasonal workers. This news is a victory for processing workers and FFAW-Unifor, who fought hard for these changes.
HALIFAX- Unifor donated $80,000 to the Mi'Kmaw Friendship Centre through a fundraiser and Canadian Community Fund.
The union also pledged that members who work in the skilled trades would donate their skills to help in the hard work of building a vibrant community centre.
HALIFAX—Renowned advocate for social justice Jean Augustine is the recipient of the 2018 Nelson Mandela Award, presented today at Unifor’s Canada Council in Halifax.
“I’m excited to recognize the Honourable Jean Augustine for her important contributions in the struggle for human rights,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Canada is a better place because of activists like Ms. Augustine.”
HALIFAX - Unifor will celebrate five years of activism at the union’s Canadian Council, taking place August 17-19 at the Halifax Convention Centre, 1650 Argyle Street.
“In five short years Unifor members have made their mark in every region of the country,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “I’m incredibly proud of the achievements made in advancing the labour movement and in moving the dial on both political and social policies.”
THUNDER BAY – After 129 days on the picket line, a collective agreement and a return to work agreement have been reached to end the strike at the Port Arthur Health Centre.
“This has been four difficult months and I have great admiration for the 65 women who stood strong and showed such resilience in their efforts to get the employer back to the table,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.
Accessibility
Documents can be requested in alternative/accessible formats by emailing communications@unifor.org
