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Unifor marks International Day of the Seafarer

HALIFAX, June 25, 2014 /CNW/ - Unifor is marking the International Day of the Seafarer on June 25 by encouraging members to share their gratitude on social media to acknowledge the workers who serve to connect the world's economies.

Unifor leader challenges OPSEU's Smokey Thomas

TORONTO, June 20, 2014 /CNW/ - Today Jerry Dias, Unifor National President, reiterated his belief that the union's decision to support strategic voting was in the best interest of working people and communities in Ontario.

Shooting in Lawrence Heights underscores need for improved safety in armoured car industry

TORONTO, June 19, 2014 /CNW/ - The shooting earlier this morning in the Lawrence Heights area in Toronto during an attempted robbery on an armoured car underscores the need for improved safety regulations in the industry, argues Unifor.

The guard was shot several times while his Garda truck was pulled up to a TD Bank branch. The second guard of the two-person crew remained in the vehicle and was unharmed.

Bus and taxi drivers throw support behind Senate Bill 221

OTTAWA, June 18, 2014 /CNW/ - In meetings with MPs and in testimony to a Senate committee today, representatives of bus drivers and taxi drivers shared their support for S-221, a bill to amend the Criminal Code to include options for stiffer penalties for those convicted of assaulting drivers.

Media Advisory - Unifor members to testify in support of Criminal Code amendment

OTTAWA, June 17, 2014 /CNW/ - Stronger sentences are needed to deter violence and protect front-line transit workers, say transit operators and taxi drivers represented by Unifor. Union representatives will testify before the Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs to support Bill S-221 An Act to Amend the Criminal Code (Assaults Against Public Transit Workers) introduced by Senator Bob Runciman.

Statement of support issued for NB forestry plan

MONCTON, NB, June 13, 2014 /CNW/ - Unifor has issued a statement in strong support of New Brunswick's provincial forestry plan saying that investment in the sector is vital for communities and good jobs across the province.

Media Advisory - Unifor's Alberta members are mobilized to testify against Bills 9 and 10

EDMONTON, June 13, 2014 /CNW/ - Local Unifor representatives will make the case against reductions to retirees' incomes during two weeks of public consultations on Bills 9 and 10. The legislature standing committee reviewing the bills will visit seven cities during June 16-26 to gather feedback about legislation that generated a massive backlash throughout the winter and spring.

Ontario votes for good jobs, strong public services and healthy communities

TORONTO, June 12, 2014 /CNW/ - "Ontario voters sent a clear message tonight that they want an Ontario with good jobs, strong public services and healthy communities," Unifor National President Jerry Dias said. "Ontario has clearly rejected Mr. Hudak's offer to race Ontario to the bottom."

Trade deal with South Korea still a bad idea: Unifor

TORONTO, June 12, 2014 /CNW/ - The release of the full text of the proposed free trade deal with South Korea does nothing to alleviate concerns that the deal will seriously harm Canada's manufacturing sector, and sends the Canadian economy heading in the wrong direction, Unifor National President Jerry Dias says.

/R E P E A T -- Unifor leadership available to comment on election results/

TORONTO, June 11, 2014 /CNW/ - Unifor's national and Ontario leaders will be available Thursday night and Friday to comment on the results of Thursday's Ontario election.

"This is a critical election for Ontario's future, and voters have clear choices before them about the kind of province they want," said Unifor National President Jerry Dias

Unifor leadership available to comment on election results

TORONTO, June 10, 2014 /CNW/ - Unifor's national and Ontario leaders will be available Thursday night and Friday to comment on the results of Thursday's Ontario election.

"This is a critical election for Ontario's future, and voters have clear choices before them about the kind of province they want," said Unifor National President Jerry Dias

Unifor condemns Cascade Aerospace for using replacement workers during strike

ABBOTSFORD, BC, June 9, 2014 /CNW/ - Instead of using replacement workers, Unifor is calling on Cascade Aerospace to get back to the bargaining table to negotiate job security for the more than 400 workers on strike. Contrary to the company's claims, back-up labourers have been shipped in to do the work of striking technicians and engineers.

Media union breaks silence on election

Don't vote for Hudak and his PCs, Unifor Local 87-M tells members

TORONTO, June 9, 2014 /CNW/ - The union representing journalists and other media workers across Ontario is asking its 2,600 members not to vote for Tim Hudak and his Progressive Conservative Party in Thursday's provincial election.

Unifor defends seniors' pensions at committee hearing

EDMONTON, June 5, 2014 /CNW/ - Unifor will advise the government to shelve Bills 9 and 10 during testimony to the Standing Committee on Alberta's Economic Future this afternoon.

"Bills 9 and 10 are a serious blow to the dignity and independence of Alberta's seniors," said Joie Warnock, Unifor's Western Director. "This legislation is a crass attempt to have companies profit from taking seniors' retirement income."

/R E P E A T -- Media Advisory - Over 400 Cascade Aerospace workers set to begin job action tomorrow morning/

ABBOTSFORD, BC, June 3, 2014 /CNW/ - More than 400 skilled workers at Cascade Aerospace are set to begin legal strike action at 11 a.m on Wednesday, June 4.

"We have been at the bargaining table for months, with the goal of finding a deal that is fair for all parties, but we have no intention of accepting concessions from a company as profitable as Cascade," said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor's BC area director.

Media Advisory - Over 400 Cascade Aerospace workers set to begin job action tomorrow morning

ABBOTSFORD, BC, June 3, 2014 /CNW/ - More than 400 skilled workers at Cascade Aerospace are set to begin legal strike action at 11 a.m on Wednesday, June 4.

"We have been at the bargaining table for months, with the goal of finding a deal that is fair for all parties, but we have no intention of accepting concessions from a company as profitable as Cascade," said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor's BC area director.

Unifor slams attack on labour rights by provincial PC Government

ST. JOHN'S, June 3, 2014 /CNW/ - Stealing a page straight out of the Harper government's handbook by attacking labour rights, the PC government of Newfoundland and Labrador has succumbed to the employer lobby rather than stand up for the rights of workers, says Lana Payne, Unifor Atlantic Regional Director.

Leaked Cascade Aerospace document shows company is planning to keep repairing aircraft even if skilled workers are off the job

ABBOTSFORD, BC, June 2, 2014 /CNW/ - Unifor has obtained an internal memo from Cascade Aerospace that offers proof that the company is laying the groundwork to continue operations in the event of a legal job action at its facilities in Abbotsford.

"We are very concerned that other workers are going to be rushed in to perform work normally done by our skilled engineers and technicians," said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor's BC Area Director.

Cascade Aerospace workers serve notice of legal job action

ABBOTSFORD, BC, May 30, 2014 /CNW/ - Unifor has served 72-hour notice of legal job action on behalf of its 440 members at Cascade Aerospace late yesterday. A strike will commence if agreement on the outstanding issues cannot be reached by Wednesday, June 4 at 11 a.m.

A strike by Unifor members at the Abbotsford plant will bring work to a halt and impact important customers and the local economy.

Unifor marks Paramedic Services Week with call to revive PTSD bill

TORONTO, May 29, 2014 /CNW/ - Paramedics, as emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, bring tremendous dedication, skill and commitment to their jobs as first responders, Unifor says, and during Paramedic Services Week is calling for strong legislation to help them cope with an often traumatic job.

Unifor and CLC presidents to visit locked out workers

OAKVILLE, ON, May 29, 2014 /CNW/ - The national presidents of Unifor, Canada's largest union in the private sector, and the Canadian Labour Congress will be at the picket line of locked out soap factory workers this afternoon to show their support.

"These workers are standing up for basic labour rights in this province," said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. "We will not allow hard-won rights to be rolled back by this company, or any other."

Hudak wrong about trades college: Unifor

TORONTO, May 28, 2014 /CNW/ - Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak cannot win the current Ontario election by misleading the public about the Ontario College of Trades, Unifor National President Jerry Dias says.

Caressant Care rally Thursday

WOODSTOCK, ON, May 27, 2014 /CNW/ - Workers at Caressant Care Nursing Homes in southwestern Ontario will be holding a rally Thursday in Woodstock to make the public aware of their concerns in contract talks with the chain of homes.