Unions representing thousands of administrative professionals working in the health care system throughout Nova Scotia have spent six weeks trying to get bargaining dates from the employers and government, but they refuse to come to the table.
These hard-working administrative professionals now have a contract that expired almost three years ago. The employer and government have offered these workers a deal that amounts to a wage decrease, while other groups of health care workers have been offered much more.
HALIFAX-Unifor members at IMP Aerospace delivered an unprecedented strike mandate of 97.6%, showing their determination to make strong gains in upcoming contract negotiations.
“The members at IMP are sending a clear message with this strike vote that they need to see real improvements,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “The overwhelming support for a strike and support for their bargaining committee is important and shows these workers are ready to fight for a fair contract.”
TORONTO – Unifor is fighting Air Canada’s decision to lay off more than 50 Jazz members in Newfoundland and Labrador as the company makes changes to its services in Gander, Happy Valley-Goose Bay and Deer Lake.
“Unifor is committed to fighting vigorously for our aviation members at Jazz,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
“Companies like Air Canada can’t just be cavalier about bringing in new contracts and expect our union to sit by on the sidelines. Our members are dedicated to their jobs and deserve respect.”
ESPANOLA, Ont.-Nearly 350 Unifor members and their families are grappling with the news of a year-long curtailment of the Domtar mill in Espanola, Ontario.
Toronto – Unifor, representing the dedicated health care workers of the Northern Hospital Group, welcomes arbitration award as a positive step forward for health care workers in Ontario.
Unifor members rallied to oppose changes to New Brunswick’s Policy 713, the province's gender-identity policy in schools. Recent updates to the policy require teachers to obtain parental consent before using the chosen name and pronoun of a child under 16, forcing teachers to potentially ‘out’ students who aren’t ready or willing to do so.
Atlantic Regional Director Jennifer Murray was in Fredericton on Sunday, Sept. 3 to support therally organized by Unifor Local 4504 member Nicki Lyons-MacFarlane, a standing committee member of the Atlantic Regional Council.
Since Stephen McNeil’s Liberal government proclaimed Bill 148 – the Public Services Sustainability Act, eight unions impacted by the Bill have been working diligently to have this dangerous piece of anti-worker legislation repealed as a breach of Section 2(d) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
WINNIPEG—Workers across Manitoba will be volunteering for progressive candidates to ensure the Heather Stefanson government is not re-elected on October 3, 2023.
“Workers and their families cannot afford more PC health care cuts and emergency room chaos,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “Working people are ready for change.”
Unifor has begun a member-to-member campaign to help inform workers about the Brian Pallister-Heather Stefanson government’s record of healthcare privatization and growing poverty.
Now is the time to fight for workers and to build worker power.
Unifor members, leaders and supporters marched the streets of downtown Toronto in the 151st annual Labour Day parade – themed "Year of the union" – and celebrated Unifor’s 10th anniversary.
“Ten years ago, Unifor was born as a radical act of hope and solidarity and we have not stopped fighting since,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne in her speech. “It’s been incredible. Right now, in this world, what a time it is to fight for working people.”
VICTORIA—A Labour Day weekend strike has been averted after the bargaining committees of Unifor Local 114 and the Victoria Clipper ferry signed a tentative agreement.
“Congratulations to the bargaining committee and the members who mobilized quickly to get the word out on both sides of the border about their struggle for a fair contract,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director.
Details of the agreement will be available upon ratification of the contract. A vote is scheduled for Wednesday, September 6, 2023.
TORONTO—Frontline grocery workers at Metro have ratified a historic new collective agreement, ending a month-long strike that started on July 29, 2023.
Unifor’s Local 101R Ratify Tentative Agreement With Toronto Terminals Railway
Vancouver, British Columbia, Unifor Local 101R-60 members ratified the tentative agreement reached with Toronto Terminals Railway (TTR) on August 24, 2023.
Unifor represents approximately seventy (70) engineers and conductors working at TTR at Delta Port and South Shore located Vancouver, BC.
VANCOUVER–Members of Unifor Local 1132 at the Crofton mill in British Columbia received notice on Monday, August 28 that the scheduled restart of the mill, slated for the end of the month, has been delayed by at least another 30 days, leaving workers and their families in the lurch.
TORONTO— A tentative agreement has been reached between Unifor and Metro, following a month-long strike action by 3,700 frontline grocery store workers.
“Our union was able to negotiate this new tentative agreement due to the unwavering commitment of our Metro grocery members who were united in their goal to improve their wages and working conditions,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “I commend the workers and the bargaining committee for their solidarity and also the customers who supported them during this difficult time.”
VANCOUVER—Major wage increases and more manageable workloads are key features of a new three-year contract with the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver ratified today by Unifor members.
“Unifor members make the Hotel Vancouver one of the most desirable hotels in the country,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “They have negotiated an outstanding collective agreement that leads the industry and helps set a standard for upcoming negotiations elsewhere in the sector.”
TORONTO - Unifor has selected Ford Motor Company as the target automaker to set the pattern agreement in the union’s negotiations with the Detroit Three.
TORONTO— Unifor will announce the union’s Detroit Three (D3) target company in the current round of negotiations with Ford, General Motors and Stellantis at a media conference today at 1 p.m. at the Sheraton Centre in Toronto.
Media interested in attending in person or via the conference call must register in advance by emailing@email.
TORONTO— Unifor members at Ford Motor Company, General Motors and Stellantis have delivered overwhelming strike mandates, authorizing their bargaining committees to take job action, if needed, to achieve fair collective agreements with the Detroit Three (D3).
WINDSOR—The 192-day strike at Windsor Salt has come to an end after members of Unifor Local 240 and 1959 ratified a new five-year contract with the employer this afternoon.
“Determination on the picket line and rock-solid support from local unions and the community at large helped us achieve a contract our members could overwhelmingly support,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President.
The new collective agreements include wage increases of up to $4.60/hour over the term, a $3,000 ratification bonus, shift premium increases, and a variety of benefits enhancements.
WINDSOR—A tentative agreement has been signed between bargaining committees representing members of Unifor Local 1959 and 240 and the employer, Windsor Salt.
The union began legal strike action 189 days ago on February 17, 2023.
More details will be made available after the ratification vote on Sunday, August 27.
This round of bargaining is the first since Windsor Salt was purchased by Stone Canyon Industries in 2021, a U.S-based private holding firm.
Striking grocery workers have begun secondary picket lines at two Metro distribution warehouses in Toronto, in the fourth week of ongoing job action by 3,700 Unifor members.
Fires are ravaging the Northwest Territories and British Columbia, upending lives and leaving thousands in urgent need of help. Families are being forced to evacuate with little notice, and the scale of devastation is immense.
“In moments of crisis, our collective strength shines brightest when we come together to support those in need,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “As part of the Unifor community, our solidarity and compassion empower us to make a lasting impact during times of crisis.”
Canadian Council kicks off Unifor’s 10-year anniversary celebrations
The opening day of Unifor’s 2023 Canadian Council in Halifax, Nova Scotia, was nothing short of awe-inspiring. Delegates were officially welcomed by Gary Joseph, Indigenous Elder, to Mi’kma’ki, to the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People.
VICTORIA—Unifor Local 114 members at the Victoria-Seattle ferry service have voted 100% in favour of taking legal strike action on Sunday, September 3 if a fair contract cannot be reached before then.
“Unless the employer shows up to the bargaining table with a fair offer, the Victoria Clipper will be anchored on one of the busiest tourism weekends of the year,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “Ferry workers deserve a fair contract and will take job action if negotiations continue to stall.”
REGINA—The safety of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth is under threat after Sask Party Education Minister Dustin Duncan announced sudden, sweeping changes to education policy that will make some queer and trans students unsafe in the classroom.
Striking grocery workers have begun secondary picket lines at two Metro distribution warehouses in Toronto, in the fourth week of ongoing job action by 3,700 Unifor members.
Unifor’s Canadian Council focused on supporting mental health in the workplace on the third and final day.
Former Team Canada member, motivational speaker, and firefighter Kendra Fisher shared her personal journey with mental illness and the isolation that cost her the dream of playing hockey in the Olympics.
“To understand what anxiety feels like, I want you to image trying to put the treadmill up to an awkward speed. And on an incline. You’re going to start to feel that burn in your legs and feel out of breath,” said Fisher.
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