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PPWC and Unifor commit to bargaining cooperation in pulp and paper sector

VANCOUVER, April 3, 2015 /CNW/ - Two of the country's largest unions in the pulp and paper sector have agreed to work jointly in the next round of pulp and paper bargaining in Western Canada. Unifor and the Pulp, Paper, and Woodworkers of Canada (PPWC) met in Vancouver last week to re-establish the Joint Pulp and Paper Caucus for the upcoming negotiations in 2017.

Unifor makes headway for long-term care workers

TORONTO, April 2, 2015 /CNW/ - Unifor health care members employed in long-term care facilities across Ontario are ratifying strong agreements this month that include increases in wages and benefits.

Air Canada talks break down after GTAA meddling

TORONTO, April 1, 2015 /CNW/ - The Greater Toronto Airport Authority's (GTAA) campaign to convert middle-class jobs to low-wage work has led to a halt in talks between Air Canada and customer sales and service agents.

"The GTAA has derailed national negotiations and threatened airport operations from coast to coast," said Jerry Dias, Unifor's National President.

Unifor calls for universal ORPP

TORONTO, March 31, 2015 /CNW/ - With only one-third of Ontario workers having a workplace pension, the province needs a universal and mandatory pension plan to ensure that workers can retire with dignity, Unifor told a legislative committee today.

/R E P E A T -- Unifor to make Ontario Pension presentation/

TORONTO, March 30, 2015 /CNW/ - Unifor Ontario Regional Director Katha Fortier will speak to the Ontario Legislature's Standing Committee on Social Policy on Tuesday, March 31, to urge the government to implement a universal and mandatory pension plan for the province.

Unifor to make Ontario Pension presentation

TORONTO, March 30, 2015 /CNW/ - Unifor Ontario Regional Director Katha Fortier will speak to the Ontario Legislature's Standing Committee on Social Policy on Tuesday, March 31, to urge the government to implement a universal and mandatory pension plan for the province.

Auto industry benefits all of Canada

TORONTO, March 30, 2015 /CNW/ - A new study released today confirms the massive economic benefits from the General Motors operations in Oshawa.

"Canada is a great place for GM to do business, and we all benefit greatly from them being here," Unifor National President Jerry Dias told a press conference this morning.

/R E P E A T -- Unifor to release major auto industry study/

TORONTO, March 27, 2015 /CNW/ - Canada's largest union in the private sector, and the leading union in the auto sector, will release an independent study Monday examining the economic impact of the General Motors plant in Oshawa.

Unifor to release major auto industry study

TORONTO, March 27, 2015 /CNW/ - Canada's largest union in the private sector, and the leading union in the auto sector, will release an independent study Monday examining the economic impact of the General Motors plant in Oshawa.

Unifor protests imminent airport layoffs

TORONTO, March 25, 2015 /CNW/ - With more than 280 jobs on the line, Unifor held a protest at the offices of the Greater Toronto Airport Authority today. The union is calling on the GTAA to require offers of employment to the low-wage workers that will be out of a job due to a change in the contract for those who service seniors and passengers with special needs at the airport.

Media Advisory - Unifor to protest mass layoffs at airport

TORONTO, March 24, 2015 /CNW/ - Unifor will hold a rally at the offices of the Greater Toronto Airport Authority (GTAA) to protest the layoff of more than 280 low-wage workers who service passengers who require extra assistance.

"The GTAA has a choice—it can give job security to the workers who service passengers with special needs and seniors, or it can toss them into unemployment," said Jerry Dias, Unifor's National President.

Town Daycare members approve new agreement

SYDNEY, NS, March 20, 2015 /CNW/ - Staff at Town Daycare in Glace Bay have ratified a new collective agreement with their employer after four days on strike.

Hasty pick and pay a threat to homegrown content

TORONTO, March 19, 2015 /CNW/ - Today's approach to pick and pay cable by the CRTC will be needlessly disruptive to Canada's broadcast and entertainment industries, putting at risk this country's ability to tell its own stories, Canada's largest media union says.

"If the CRTC is determined to go down this road, it should do so only on a gradual, experimental and trial basis," Unifor Media Director Howard Law said.

Board's decision shows turmoil of school bus system

OTTAWA, March 19, 2015 /CNW/ - The loss of 140 school bus jobs in Ottawa today is an illustration of the unneeded turmoil caused by the Ontario government's Request for Proposals process for handing out contracts, and points to the need for reforms to the system, the province's primary school bus union says.

Media Advisory - Pearson airport layoffs create turmoil and threaten service for passengers with special needs

TORONTO, March 19, 2015 /CNW/ - Unifor is objecting to a move by the Greater Toronto Airport Authority (GTAA) to change providers leading to layoffs of more than 260 workers who service passengers with special needs.

"Unifor was formed to fight back against the abuse of low-wage and precarious workers," said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. "We will do whatever it takes to ensure these workers are treated fairly and aren't thrust into unemployment by the whims of the GTAA."

Last group of Unifor members approve new agreement with CN

TORONTO, March 18, 2015 /CNW/ - Unifor Local 100 members have ratified the final new agreement with CN Rail by 79 per cent.

Voting took place at membership meetings over the last two weeks, in 22 locations across Canada. The agreement was reached on Monday, February 23, avoiding a lock-out by CN.

Unifor 2301 files in court to limit toxic emissions from Rio Tinto smelter

KITIMAT, BC, March 17, 2015 /CNW/ - Unifor says that increased sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions are a major public health threat and is going to court to stop it. Local 2301 filed for a Judicial Review in the Supreme Court of British Columbia this morning to challenge an October 2014 decision to allow the Rio Tinto Alcan Inc. aluminum smelter expansion to proceed without installing SO2 scrubbers.

Town Daycare workers on strike March 17, 2015

SYDNEY, NS, March 17, 2015 /CNW/ - Staff at Town Daycare in Glace Bay went on strike this morning following failed negotiations and an unsuccessful conciliation process.

Unifor members approve five new agreements with CN

TORONTO, March 16, 2015 /CNW/ - Unifor members have ratified five new agreements with CN Rail, with one still outstanding.

Voting took place at membership meetings over the last two weeks, in 50 locations across Canada. The agreement was reached on Monday, February 23, avoiding a lock-out by CN.

Black Press blocks Unifor's attempt to end dispute

DUNCAN, BC, March 14, 2015 /CNW/ - The owners of Black Press have rejected mediation to solve the 3.5-month old strike at the Cowichan News Leader Pictorial. Unifor members in Duncan have been on the picket line since December 1 to defeat the employer's proposal to give inferior wages and benefits to new employees ("two-tiering").  

BC's minimum wage increase is an insult to working families

VANCOUVER, March 12, 2015 /CNW/ - Today's announcement by Labour Minister Shirley Bond that the minimum wage would be fixed at $10.45 in today's dollars for the indefinite future is a poverty sentence, according to Canada's largest private sector union.

No quality without quantity

TORONTO, March 12, 2015 /CNW/ - Today's decisions from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) threaten the quality of local programming available to Canadian viewers, Unifor says.

"Canadians rely on quality locally produced programming to inform them about their communities and the issues that affect their lives," Unifor Media Director Howard Law said.

UNB Employees Association votes to join Unifor

FREDERICTON, March 12, 2015 /CNW/ - Members of the University of New Brunswick Employees Association (UNBEA) voted Wednesday to become members of Unifor in a near-unanimous decision.

"We're thrilled with the result of the vote," said Augustine Brideau, UNBEA president. "With the next round of bargaining coming up, we all felt that we'd be in a much better position to defend the interests of our membership with the strength of Unifor behind us."

Media advisory - Unifor members approve new deal with CP

TORONTO, March 9, 2015 /CNW/ - Unifor Local 101R members have ratified a new collective agreement with CP Rail by 79 per cent.

Voting took place at membership meetings over the last two weeks, in 26 locations across Canada. The agreement was reached on Saturday, February 14, minutes before the deadline.