All News

Unifor welcomes the motion to repeal Bills C-525 and C-377

OTTAWA, Jan. 28, 2016 /CNW/ - Unifor commends the Liberal government's decision to repeal Bills C-525 and C-377. These two anti-labour bills, a direct attack on unions by the previous Conservative government, undermined the charter right to form a union for workers in federally-regulated sectors and imposed unnecessary and onerous reporting burdens on all unions. Unifor had been outspoken about the problematic nature of these bills since they were first brought forward.

Unifor calls for mentally healthy work environments

TORONTO, Jan. 27, 2016 /CNW/ - Unifor calls for all employers and employees to create and maintain mentally healthy workplaces. Recognizing the risks of mental illness, including depression, anxiety and stress, in the workplace is the first step to providing the information and support required to ensure that no one suffers in silence.

ORPP progress encouraging but enhanced CPP overdue: Unifor

TORONTO, Jan. 26, 2016 /CNW/ - Unifor is encouraged by today's announcement that the Ontario government will proceed with implementing the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan beginning January 1, 2017. Unifor believes retirement income is best delivered through a stable, cost effective publicly administered pension such as the CPP or ORPP. 

TPP was bad then, and bad now

TORONTO, Jan. 25, 2016 /CNW/ - The federal government's decision to sign the Trans Pacific Partnership next week is disappointing, but will give Canada a chance to fully debate a trade deal hastily brought in by the former Conservative government during the federal election, Unifor says.

We all suffer when a newspaper closes: Unifor

TORONTO, Jan. 25, 2016 /CNW/ - The closure of two daily newspapers that have published since this country's founding days, following on the heels of last week's newsroom mergers, underlines the need for a broad public policy discussion about the future of Canada's news media, Unifor says.

"Across this country, the vital role played by journalist is being challenged like never before," Unifor National President Jerry Dias said.

Rama workers ratify first Unifor contract

ORILLIA, ON, Jan. 23, 2016 /CNW/ - Unionized workers at Casino Rama, one of Ontario's largest casino resorts, have ratified their first collective agreement.

"Congratulations to the workers at Casino Rama, and welcome to the Unifor family," said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.

Unifor urges health ministers to negotiate meaningful health funding agreement

VANCOUVER, Jan. 20, 2016 /CNW/ - Unifor National President Jerry Dias is urging Canada's Health Ministers to come to a meaningful agreement on health care funding as they meet this week in Vancouver. He emphasized this as being a critical moment to rebuild confidence and capacity of our neglected public health system.

Postmedia's betrayal of trust

TORONTO, Jan. 19, 2016 /CNW/ - Postmedia's plan to consolidate newsrooms across Canada is a massive betrayal of trust by the newspaper chain to its readers, Unifor says.

"The state of the news industry in this country – both print and broadcast – demands the immediate attention of the new Liberal government in Ottawa," said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.

/C O R R E C T I O N from Source -- Unifor/

In c2444,"First contract reached at Casino Rama", issued 13-Jan-2016 at 19:31 ET please note that the words "gift shop attendants" has been removed in the fifth paragraph. Full corrected copy follows:

Whistler transit operators serve strike notice

WHISTLER, BC, Jan. 14, 2016 /CNW/ - Stalled negotiations with PW Transit Canada Ltd have forced over 90 transit operators represented by Unifor Local 114 to serve strike notice to the employer. No commencement date for a strike has been set, but the operators are eligible to begin job action on Saturday, January 16.

First contract reached at Casino Rama

ORILLIA, ON, Jan. 13, 2016 /CNW/ - Workers at Casino Rama, one of Ontario's largest casino resorts, have negotiated a first contract with the resort.

Scathing labour board report increases pressure on Port Transport and Harbour Link

VANCOUVER, Jan. 12, 2016 /CNW/ - Trucking company Port Transport Ltd made illegal use of replacement workers during the current labour dispute, according to a new ruling from the BC Labour Relations Board (BCLRB). The BCLRB's Vice Chair ordered the company to immediately cease and desist, to provide disclosure of dispatch records on a weekly basis to Unifor, and made an order for payment of financial damages.

Airport taxi dispute resolved

OTTAWA, Dec. 15, 2015 /CNW/ - Unifor and its Local 1688 have now resolved the airport labour dispute.  After several days of bargaining with the employer – Coventry connections, the Union held an all-day meeting on Monday. The airport taxi drivers voted unanimously to return to work. Since the Employees are now working for Coventry Connections directly, the Union took the step of disbanding the former airport taxi bargaining unit. That means the employees will be working under the Blue Line roof sign.

Labour board ruling means Harbour Link has run out of excuses

VANCOUVER, Dec. 11, 2015 /CNW/ - One of the container trucking companies holding out against signing the pattern collective agreement with its drivers has no more excuses after a new labour board ruling, says Unifor. Several irregularities in the evidence submitted by CLAC caused the Canadian Industrial Relations Board's (CIRB) to dismiss the application in the "raid" of Unifor's members at Harbour Link Container Services.

Stelpipe and Welland Pipe retiree info meeting

TORONTO, Dec. 11, 2015 /CNW/ -  Unifor Local 523 President Rick Alakas will speak to about 300 retirees from Stelpipe and Welland Pipe to discuss health benefit options after U.S Steel Canada immediately suspended all supports.

Unifor welcomes Teahen nomination for WSIB president

TORONTO, Dec. 10, 2015 /CNW/ - Canada's largest union in the private sector expressed hope today that the nomination of the Ontario premier's chief of staff to be president of the province's Workplace Safety and Insurance Board signals a renewed emphasis on the needs of injured workers.

Pacific Coach Lines workers vote 79% in favour of job action

VANCOUVER, Dec. 9, 2015 /CNW/ - Unifor members working at Pacific Coach Lines have voted overwhelmingly to take job action if necessary to achieve a fair severance package for long-serving drivers impacted by recent job cuts at the company.

"20-year veterans are being told that they won't be getting any severance," said Mario Santos, a National Representative at Unifor. "It is a cold-hearted move to treat your veteran employees like that."

Unifor supporting food banks across Canada

TORONTO, Dec. 7, 2015 /CNW/ - Canada's largest union in the private sector is donating $135,000 to 46 food banks across Canada, and is calling on its members and others to donate, as well.

"The needs of many Canadians are real all year round, but are most acute at this time of year," Unifor National President Jerry Dias said.

Forty workers engage MPPs on Changing Workplaces and Precarious Work

TORONTO, Dec. 4, 2015 /CNW/ - Workers from across Ontario will be at Queen's Park on Monday, December 7, and Tuesday, December 8, meeting with members of the Legislature to garner their support labour law and employment standards changes to address the increasingly precarious nature of work today.

/R E P E A T -- Unifor Ontario Council meets/

TORONTO, Dec. 3, 2015 /CNW/ - Unifor leaders and activists from across Ontario will meet in Toronto this weekend to discuss what lies ahead for workers in the province, with a new federal government and major auto talks planned for 2016.

"This will be a very important meeting as we plan for the year ahead," said Unifor Ontario Regional Director Katha Fortier.

Unifor Ontario Council meets

TORONTO, Dec. 3, 2015 /CNW/ - Unifor leaders and activists from across Ontario will meet in Toronto this weekend to discuss what lies ahead for workers in the province, with a new federal government and major auto talks planned for 2016.

"This will be a very important meeting as we plan for the year ahead," said Unifor Ontario Regional Director Katha Fortier.