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Unifor ratifies tentative agreement to establish National Energy pattern

CALGARY—Representatives from Unifor’s energy local unions have ratified the tentative agreement that establishes the pattern for more than 7,500 members of the union’s National Energy Program.

“I congratulate the bargaining committee on setting this new pattern for our members across the energy sector,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “It was a difficult round of bargaining making it all the more important for locals to work together in order to make progress for our energy members.”

Unifor and Sobeys reach tentative collective agreement

KINCARDINE—Unifor has reached a tentative collective agreement, covering 120 frontline grocery workers, with Sobeys Kincardine. 

Details of the tentative agreement will not be released prior to being presented to members for a ratification vote in the coming week.

PWTransit workers reach tentative agreement with employer

VANCOUVER – Unifor members working at Pacific Western Transportation (PWTransit) in Comox Valley and Campbell River, B.C. have reached a tentative deal with the employer.

A ratification vote is scheduled to take place Sunday, Dec. 10.

More details about the contract will be released following ratification.

Local 114’s contract with PWT expired March 31, 2023.

Kincardine Sobeys grocery workers prepare to strike

KINCARDINE—More than 120 Unifor members at Sobeys Kincardine could be on strike effective 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 7 if the employer, who profited $261 million last quarter alone, does not come to the table with a fair agreement. 
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“Our union is here to deliver improvements in pay and working conditions across the board for grocery workers,” says Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “We expect Sobeys to do as Metro and Loblaws have done and meet our members’ expectations. ”

First Student bus drivers, mechanics, in Cornwall area ratify latest contract by 95%

TORONTO – Unifor members of First Student Bus – which provides school bus services for English and French language schools in Cornwall and Embrun, Ont. – have resoundingly ratified their new contract by 95%.

“Congratulations to the bargaining committee for staying strong and fighting for a good and fair deal for our members,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. 

Telecommunications workers to rally to end outsourcing at Bell Canada

KINGSTON— Telecommunications workers from Expertech will converge in Kingston, Ontario, on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, rallying against Bell's sustained efforts in job erosion through practices such as offshoring and contracting out. The unified stand calls for full-time jobs, equitable wages and benefits that keep up with the pace of inflation.

PWTransit workers overwhelmingly reject employer’s latest offer

VANCOUVER – Unifor members working at Pacific Western Transportation (PWTransit) in Comox Valley and Campbell River, B.C. have rejected the latest contract offer by 86% after the company did not close the gap to address issues of wage disparity, scheduling, and overtime language.

Members spoke out clearly at ratification meetings held Nov. 26 and voted to reject this tentative agreement.

$19M in government funding for Crofton mill and nothing to show for it

CROFTON—The fourth consecutive curtailment at the Paper Excellence paper mill in Crofton will keep more than 100 workers laid off and the community left wondering why they have nothing to show for $19 million in public funding from two levels of government.

The new curtailment will reportedly extend to the end of February 2024.

Unifor and PWTransit reach tentative agreement in Comox Valley

COMOX—A strike at Pacific Western Transportation (PWTransit) in Comox and Campbell River in British Columbia has been averted as the bargaining committee of Unifor Local 114 and the employer have reached a tentative agreement.

“Congratulations to our members at Local 114 in the Comox Valley for bargaining tough to achieve fairness in a region with a rapidly growing cost of living,” Lana Payne, Unifor National President. 

More details about the contract will be made available upon ratification. A vote is scheduled to take place on Sunday, November 26, 2023.

Unifor reaches tentative agreement with No Frills

A tentative agreement has been reached between Unifor and No Frills.

“Our bargaining committee at No Frills was determined to build on what grocery store workers had achieved this past summer with Metro,” said Lana Payne, National President of Unifor. “This tentative agreement delivers pattern wages and many other improvements for our members.”

Proposed B.C. regulations stop short of best protections for gig workers

VANCOUVER—The proposed regulations outlined today by B.C. Labour Minister Harry Bains delivers long-overdue protections for misclassified gig workers but will stop short of giving them the full employment rights all Canadians deserve, says Unifor.

“Powerful digital platform employers have come to rely on precarious employment, and governments can and must raise the floor for gig workers,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. 

PWTransit workers file 72-hour strike notice

VANCOUVER – Unifor has submitted 72-hour strike notice to Pacific Western Transportation (PWTransit) placing Local 114 transit members in a legal strike position as of Sun., Nov. 19 at 8:46 a.m.

“Our union remains committed to trying to negotiate a contract that addresses the concerns and needs of the membership,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. 

“The decision to take job action is never taken lightly but our members cannot continue to survive on lower wages than the industry standard and will strike if necessary.” 

First Student bus drivers vote in favour of strike action

TORONTO – Unifor members of First Student Bus – which provides school bus services for English and French language schools in the Cornwall, Ont. region – voted 94% in favour of strike action on Nov. 14.

“School bus operators are an integral part of the public education system with important responsibilities and yet they continue to be paid less than other professional drivers,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “They deserve decent pay and working conditions and the union is determined to fight for them.”

IMP Aerospace members ratify new collective agreement

HALIFAX-Unifor Local 2215 members working at IMP Aerospace in Hammonds Plains and Enfield, Nova Scotia, ratified a new collective agreement that sees increases to base wage rates, shift premiums, allowances, and improved paid time off.

“Members at IMP Aerospace were engaged and active throughout this bargaining process and that is vital to winning a better agreement,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “I congratulate the bargaining committee for their hard work and send my respect to every member for their solidarity."

IMP Aerospace members call off strike as new tentative is reached

HALIFAX -Unifor Local 2215 members working at IMP Aerospace in Hammonds Plains and Enfield have reached a new tentative agreement with the employer and will not undertake strike action today as planned. 

The Local is planning a ratification meeting to take place next week. Workers will remain in a legal strike position from 1:00 p.m. Friday, November 10, 2023, and could resume plans to strike unless the tentative is ratified by the membership.

Anti-scab legislation a major win for workers: Unifor

Ottawa—Today marks a significant victory for Canadian workers as new federal anti-scab legislation ensures workers’ right to strike without the threat of employers using scab labour to needlessly extend labour disputes or attempt to starve workers out.

Unifor to represent 1,000 AtkinsRealis employees through SPEA affiliation

TORONTO – Unifor is proud to announce that the members of The Society of Professional Engineers and Associates (SPEA) have voted 86% in favour of affiliating with Unifor.

"This is a historic moment for Unifor and SPEA as we join forces,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “Unifor and AtkinsRéalis members can begin building a new chapter of strength and unity together for many years to come."

IMP Aerospace members to begin strike action on Friday

HALIFAX - Unifor Local 2215 members working at IMP Aerospace in Hammonds Plains and Enfield have issued a 72-hour notice that a strike will begin at both locations on Friday, November 10 at 1:00 p.m.

“Our members at IMP Aerospace provide important and skilled work,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “They are looking for an agreement that is reflective of these economic times given the growing cost of living in the region.”

Unifor members at Stellantis ratify new agreements

TORONTO— Unifor auto members at Stellantis voted to ratify the Master Collective Agreement (covering the Windsor Assembly Plant, Brampton Assembly Plant and Etobicoke Casting Plant), along with agreements covering Unifor members working in the office, clerical and engineering unit, fire and security unit and PDC units in Mississauga and Red Deer.

St. Lawrence Seaway members vote in favour of new collective agreements

November 2, 2023

MONTREAL- Unifor members at the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) have ratified new collective agreements, with the maintenance, operations and clerical group voting 85% in favour, and the supervisory group voting 87% in favour. The ratification follows a strike that halted transit along the Seaway from October 22 to October 30, 2023.

Unifor and Stellantis reach tentative agreement

TORONTO—Unifor has reached a tentative agreement with Stellantis, ending strike action at the company’s Canadian facilities.

“I am proud of our members at every Stellantis facility for their quick and decisive action during this brief and effective strike action,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “This agreement will considerably improve the living standards of every Unifor member at Stellantis.”