All News

Unifor fights to save five Canadian mills from Trump

April 11, 2018

TORONTO—Unifor has published a video with interviews of Canadians directly impacted by the new U.S. tariffs levied against paper mills in Newfoundland & Labrador, Québec, and British Columbia.

“Right now Donald Trump is poised to do irreversible damage to five small communities across Canada,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “The Canadian government needs to act, and it needs to act now to protect local economies and good jobs.”

Moe’s first budget continues failed policies

April 10, 2018

REGINA—Unifor says Saskatchewan families are getting more of the same from rookie premier Scott Moe: public service cuts and reckless disregard for the province’s most vulnerable residents.

“Scott Moe’s imagination doesn’t go beyond cutting services and experimenting with privatization,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “It’s simply more of the same and more suffering ahead for Saskatchewan families trying to make ends meet.”

CRTC fails to protect Chinese language local news

April 10, 2018

TORONTO- The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission’s rejection of Unifor’s complaint against Roger’s contracting out its Chinese language newscasts is a huge loss to local news says Unifor, Canada’s largest media union.

“Local news is essential and licensed news broadcasts are not playing cards to be swapped with the only competing TV station in the community,” said Jerry Dias, National President.  “Rogers promised not to do this. They did it anyway.”

Locked out workers reject D-J Composites offer

April 9, 2018 GANDER - Aerospace workers in Gander, Newfoundland voted 97 per cent against the latest offer from D-J Composites, their American employer who locked them out of work 16 months ago.

Rush NAFTA deal at workers peril

TORONTO – Amid hurried negotiations to meet an artificial deadline Unifor warns that a rushed North American Free Trade Agreement will put workers in peril.

“Canada must not be pushed into a hasty NAFTA deal that will impact workers and jobs for a generation to come,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “There is no reason to sign on to half-baked trade policies simply to meet foreign political agendas.” 

Workers at Moncton Honda vote to strike

April 5, 2018

MONCTON – Workers at Moncton Honda have given their bargaining committee a strike mandate after negotiations between Unifor Local 4501 and the dealership reached an impasse.

“This is incredibly disappointing as the bargaining committee has given Moncton Honda every opportunity to reach a deal,” said Christian Laforge, Unit Chair, Unifor Local 4501.  “Our members have been working without a contract since December 31, 2017 and yet the dealership is continuing to drag this out by refusing to address key issues.”

Union-busting employer rewarded for bad behaviour

By Lana Payne, Unifor Atlantic Regional Director

For more than 470 days, workers at the DJ Composites aerospace facility in Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador, members of Unifor local 597, have been locked out by their American-based employer.

These workers earn modest wages, by any standard and certainly by aerospace industry standards.

Unifor reaches tentative agreement with New Flyer

March 29, 2018

WINNIPEG—The union at one of Canada’s largest heavy-duty transit manufacturers has reached a tentative agreement with their employer, New Flyer Industries.

“I commend the bargaining committee for holding the line on their defined benefit pension plan,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “These Unifor members have earned their defined benefits plans, and it’s an issue worth fighting for.”

N.S. misses mark on domestic violence leave

March 29, 2018

HALIFAX-Failing to make domestic violence leave paid leave allows a major barrier to remain for Nova Scotia women who need to flee violent homes says Unifor.

“Protected leave is important so women do not lose their jobs for missing work. but we know that economic security is critical when a woman decides to escape a violent situation and today’s legislation misses this critical fact,” said Lana Payne, Atlantic Regional Director.

Ontario budget pledges progressive investments

March 28, 2018

TORONTO- The Ontario budget’s investments in public services show continued momentum towards social justice and the effectiveness of political activism.

Unifor forms Ontario health care alliance

Unifor is uniting with two of Ontario’s largest health care unions, the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions of the Canadian Union of Public Employees..

Unifor hosts NAFTA: A Worker’s View Roundtable

March 28, 2018

OTTAWA – Unifor National President Jerry Dias will host NAFTA: A Worker’s View Roundtable, featuring Mexican and Canadian labour leaders, Canada’s Chief NAFTA negotiator Steve Verheul and members of Canadian civil society groups.

“This is a critical time for the voices of workers to be heard on the true impact of NAFTA in both nations,” said Dias. “There is real danger that the sudden push by the U.S. for a rush deal could lead to a further deterioration of living standards for workers.”

Unifor hosts NAFTA: A Worker’s View Roundtable

OTTAWA – Unifor National President Jerry Dias will host NAFTA: A Worker’s View Roundtable, featuring Mexican and Canadian labour leaders, Canada’s Chief NAFTA negotiator Steve Verheul and members of Canadian civil society groups.

“This is a critical time for the voices of workers to be heard on the true impact of NAFTA in both nations,” said Dias. “There is real danger that the sudden push by the U.S. for a rush deal could lead to a further deterioration of living standards for workers.”

Unifor to comment on Ontario budget

March 28, 2018

TORONTO- Unifor representatives will be available to comment following the release of the 2018 Ontario provincial budget.

“The Liberals’ announcement of free public childcare for preschool children shows the pressure that workers are putting on this government is being felt,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.

Unique alliance of 75,000 hospital workers formed in Ontario

March 27, 2018 TORONTO -Three of Canada’s largest unions today announced an alliance that kicks off an escalating campaign of membership mobilization to push Ontario hospitals to return to bargaining and treat their staff with respect.

Dear Unifor Members in the Health Care Bargaining Unit:

The Nova Scotia Council of Health Care Unions (Unifor, NSGEU, CUPE and NSNU) today requested that the Nova Scotia Labour Board settle the outstanding issues and finalize an Essential Services plan for the IWK. The Labour Board has 30 days to hear submissions from both the Employer and the Council of Unions and reach a conclusion on the remaining issues.
 
At the end of this process the IWK will have an Essential Services plan.
 

Unifor and Mexican labour leaders join in NAFTA lobby

March 26, 2018

OTTAWA – Unifor and Mexican labour leaders join together this week to warn MPs about the dangers of negotiating a NAFTA deal that fails to protect workers in both countries.

“The old NAFTA model was built on exploitation, as Canadian manufacturing jobs migrated to Mexico where multinationals are permitted to pay workers poverty wages,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “If a new NAFTA does not address low wages and labour rights in Mexico then both Canadian and Mexican workers will continue to pay the price.”

Unifor and Mexican labour leaders join in NAFTA lobby

OTTAWA – Unifor and Mexican labour leaders join together this week to warn MPs about the dangers of negotiating a NAFTA deal that fails to protect workers in both countries.

“The old NAFTA model was built on exploitation, as Canadian manufacturing jobs migrated to Mexico where multinationals are permitted to pay workers poverty wages,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “If a new NAFTA does not address low wages and labour rights in Mexico then both Canadian and Mexican workers will continue to pay the price.”