All News

Popular Ottawa rec centre may force staff out on strike

OTTAWA, Nov. 13, 2014 /CNW/ - Unifor is returning to the bargaining table with the RA Centre on Friday, November 14, after many months of stagnating negotiations and dropping morale. Unifor Local 4270 represents the 55 unionized staff members at the RA Centre, who have been without a collective agreement since May.

Members have voted 85 per cent in favour of a strike, if necessary.

Fairmont Hotel Vancouver staff reach 3-year deal with employer

VANCOUVER, Nov. 7, 2014 /CNW/ - Strong economic gains and benefits for retirees form the basis of a three-year collective agreement ratified today by Unifor Local 4275, the union representing 425 staff at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.

Unifor members demand fair deal for health care workers

LONDON, ON, Nov. 6, 2014 /CNW/ - Unifor members across the province are gathering for demonstrations to demand a fair deal for health care workers after years of wage freezes. Health care workers and supporters from several communities are marching to MPP offices and at workplaces to encourage adequate funding for the health care system and its employees.

Agreement positions Kamloops mill for future

KAMLOOPS, BC, Nov. 3, 2014 /CNW/ - An agreement between Unifor Local 10B and Domtar sets the stage for an expanded commitment to apprenticeship training that will help to keep good jobs in Kamloops.

Unifor negotiations with Seaway go to arbitration

CORNWALL, ON, Nov. 2, 2014 /CNW/ - In a deal reached this evening, five Unifor locals have averted a strike Monday along the St. Lawrence Seaway by agreeing to send the outstanding issues to binding arbitration.

"We have been meeting night and day the past week to reach a deal, and came to the conclusion that arbitration was the best way to resolve remaining issues," Unifor National Representative Joel Fournier said.

Seaway strike deadline extended

CORNWALL, ON, Oct. 31, 2014 /CNW/ - A strike deadline for workers along the St. Lawrence Seaway, set for just past noon today, has been extended to 5pm Monday, Unifor said this morning.

"We remain hopeful that a deal can be reached," said Unifor National Representative Joel Fournier.

Bell Aliant members ratify new collective agreement

HALIFAX, Oct. 30, 2014 /CNW/ - Members at Bell Aliant workplaces across the Atlantic Provinces have voted to ratify a new collective agreement with 74 per cent of members voting in favour. This agreement with Bell Aliant will take effect on January 1, 2015 and will cover the employees once they become employees of Bell Canada Enterprises, Inc. (BCE).

Strike notice served on Seaway

CORNWALL, ON, Oct. 28, 2014 /CNW/ - Five Unifor locals along the St. Lawrence Seaway today stood up for good jobs and public safety, serving 72 hours' strike notice along the waterway.

"The communities along the Seaway benefit both from the good jobs it provides, and the work our members do to keep the waterway safe," Unifor National Representative Joel Fournier said.

Unifor congratulates progressive candidates

TORONTO, Oct. 27, 2014 /CNW/ - Unifor congratulates the many progressive candidates who were elected today in Ontario's municipal and school board elections.

Unifor disappointed by lost investment

TORONTO, Oct. 24, 2014 /CNW/ - Unifor is disappointed that the Ford Motor Company and the federal and provincial governments were unable to reach an agreement that would have secured more than 1000 good jobs in Windsor and the long-term stability of the Windsor plant.

Union welcomes vote at Earls Court nursing home

LONDON, ON, Oct. 23, 2014 /CNW/ - Unifor welcomes the results of a vote at Earls Court Village Nursing Home in London, Ontario where employees, excluding RNs, voted to be represented by Unifor.

"Unifor proudly represents health care workers who work hard every day to care for us and our families and we're pleased that workers at Earls Court chose to be represented by Unifor," said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.

St. Lawrence Seaway talks to resume

TORONTO, Oct. 23, 2014 /CNW/ - Contract talks resume next week between the St. Lawrence Seaway and members of three Unifor Locals in Ontario and Quebec representing workers along the vital waterway.

"We are looking forward to getting back to the table and reaching a deal that is fair to all," said Joel Fournier, Unifor National Representative.  

No changes expected to shipbuilding contract

HALIFAX, Oct. 21, 2014 /CNW/ - Unifor fully expects members at Halifax Shipyard to build six Arctic patrol vessels (AOPS) as planned.

"We have been assured by the company that everything is full speed ahead. Design work on AOPS continues and a contract is expected to be signed in January for the six AOPS vessels and that the build work in the yard will begin in September 2015," said Unifor's Atlantic Regional Director Lana Payne.

Navistar Ratification

HAMILTON, ON, Oct. 16, 2014 /CNW/ - Today workers at a Navistar Canada Inc. ratified an agreement that significantly addresses an unfair wage structure at their workplace.

Members of Unifor Local 504, on strike since September 29, accepted an agreement that avoided the establishment of a third tier of wages, and considerably closed the gap between the existing two tiers.

Unifor reaches deal with Navistar

HAMILTON, ON, Oct. 15, 2014 /CNW/ - After more than two weeks on strike, workers at Navistar Canada Inc. will vote Thursday on a tentative deal with the company.

"These workers, young and old, have stood together for a better deal," said Dave Reston, President of Unifor Local 504. "Our bargaining team is recommending that this new contract be ratified."

Arbitrator appointed in NS health merger

HALIFAX, Oct. 9, 2014 /CNW/ - Unifor is pleased with the appointment of James Dorsey Q.C. as the mediator/arbitrator to resolve the difficulties resulting from the implementation of Bill 1 and its impact on health care workers, their union representation and their collective agreements. Mr. Dorsey was recommended by all four health care unions - Unifor, CUPE, NSNU and NSGEU - and accepted by the employer, the Health Authorities of Nova Scotia (HANS).

Unifor demands action on bandit taxis

TORONTO, Oct. 9, 2014 /CNW/ - Unifor National President Jerry Dias has written to the Ontario Minister of Transportation demanding immediate action to curb the spread of bandit taxi operation in the province, including those dressed as mobile apps such as Uber.

Bell Aliant workers reach tentative agreement

HALIFAX, Oct. 8, 2014 /CNW/ - Unifor members at Bell Aliant have reached a new tentative three-year agreement with the employer ahead of the completion of the acquisition by Bell Canada Enterprises, Inc. on October 31.

"We continued with a bargaining process that had begun before the announcement of the BCE buyout and feel that this agreement is in the best interests of Bell Aliant workers," said Rick Rose, National Representative at Unifor.

Media Advisory - Canada to join global Rio Tinto protests

KITIMAT, BC, Oct. 7, 2014 /CNW/ - Unifor Local 2301 will protest the treatment of Kitimat workers by Rio Tinto, the mining giant. The action is part of a global "day of defiance" against Rio Tinto happening in more than 20 countries, coinciding with the World Day for Decent Work.

Unifor will stand for Sun Media and Postmedia workers

TORONTO, Oct. 6, 2014 /CNW/ - Unifor, which represents workers across Canada at both companies, will be closely monitoring the planned purchase of Sun Media by Postmedia as the process unfolds in the coming months.

Navistar workers want fair wages for all workers

HAMILTON, ON, Oct. 6, 2014 /CNW/ - Workers at a Navistar Canada Inc. say they are determined to address an unfair wage structure at their workplace.

Members of Unifor Local 504, on strike since September 29, are seeking wage parity by proposing to eliminate a two-tier wage structure. At the same time, they are also refusing a company demand to implement a third tier of wages for new hires.

Good Jobs Summit work to continue with Round Table

TORONTO, Oct. 6, 2014 /CNW/ - This weekend's Good Jobs Summit has concluded with the formation of a Round Table group that includes leading Canadian business people, student leaders, politicians and labour leaders tasked with finding ways to create good jobs.

Media Advisory - Good Jobs Summit wraps up today in Toronto with multi-sector townhall

TORONTO, Oct. 5, 2014 /CNW/ - The Good Jobs Summit wraps up this morning downtown Toronto with a lively townhall discussion at 10 a.m., bringing together business, labour and student leaders, environmentalists and non-governmental organizations to discuss solutions to job creation right across the country. Each speaker will bring a different point of view on the issue of creating good jobs, including for young workers and students.

/R E P E A T -- Premier and former Obama advisor to speak at Jobs Summit/

TORONTO, Oct. 3, 2014 /CNW/ - The premier of Ontario and a former advisor to U.S. President Barack Obama will be speaking Saturday at the Good Jobs Summit.

"We are very excited to have these two leaders at the Summit," Unifor National President Jerry Dias said. "This Summit is all about bringing people together to talk about how to create good jobs in our communities."

Premier and former Obama advisor to speak at Jobs Summit

TORONTO, Oct. 3, 2014 /CNW/ - The premier of Ontario and a former advisor to U.S. President Barack Obama will be speaking Saturday at the Good Jobs Summit.

"We are very excited to have these two leaders at the Summit," Unifor National President Jerry Dias said. "This Summit is all about bringing people together to talk about how to create good jobs in our communities."