SAULT STE. MARIE – After an all-day hearing at the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) there is still no decision on whether paramedics employed in the EMS division of Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services are in a legal strike position.
WINNIPEG—The 2018 Manitoba budget fails to address some of the province’s most urgent problems, especially in the north, says Unifor.
“Premier Brian Pallister is failing Manitoba’s most vulnerable,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “There is a stunning indifference to the struggles of Manitobans who are falling farther and farther behind.”
On behalf of school bus drivers Unifor continues to lobby the government to address the precariousness and poor working conditions that are rampant in the industry. As part of Ontario’s review of the student transportation system the union has submitted its concerns and recommendations in “A New Vision for Student Transportation”. Read the full submission here.
March 8, 2018 TORONTO – Unifor says the exclusion of tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum exports to the U.S. is simply a stay of execution.“This isn’t a victory, it’s a threat,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “The U.S. is now holding tariffs over Canada’s head at the NAFTA table ahead of the next round, which uncoincidentally will take place in Washington.” Unifor represents more than 40,000 members in the auto industry and thousands more in the steel and aluminum sectors, including 4,000 aluminum workers employed at Rio Tinto in British Columbia and Quebec.
VICTORIA—Unifor activists will present policy proposals on workplace health and safety reforms, economic security for women, and progressive labour law amendments during meetings this week in Victoria.
“Last spring, British Columbians voted for change. There is no time to waste when it comes to making workplaces safer and restoring workers’ basic rights,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.
MEXICO CITY –Unifor, Canada’s largest union in the private sector, says that President Trump has made it clear that Canada’s steel and aluminum industries are being held hostage to extort a NAFTA deal.
“Trump plainly stated that tariffs will only come off if Canada signs a NAFTA agreement to his liking,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “The question now is whether the Canadian government is going to submit to trade blackmail.”
TORONTO – Unifor says if Canada fails to obtain an exemption from unjust and punitive tariffs on steel and aluminum exports to U.S. then the Canadian government has no choice but to withdraw from NAFTA renegotiations.
“If America imposes duties on steel and aluminum and Canada doesn’t walk away from NAFTA immediately then make no mistake we will no longer be negotiating, we’ll be capitulating,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.
March 1, 2018
HALIFAX – Unifor is urging all members of the Nova Scotia legislature to pass an NDP private member’s bill that will ensure paid leave for victims of domestic violence.
PORT ELGIN- Unifor, the union representing school bus drivers at First Student Canada in Owen Sound/Wiarton and Port Elgin/Kincardine has reached a tentative agreement with the company, averting a strike set to begin Thursday morning.
"This is good news for drivers, and good news for parents," said Debbie Montgomery, President of Unifor Local 4268. "Despite a difficult round of bargaining, the bargaining committees have secured a deal that improves wages and working conditions.”
PORT ELGIN- Unifor represented school bus drivers covering Owen Sound/Wiarton and Port Elgin/Kincardine remain committed to negotiations ahead of a 12:01 a.m. Thursday March 1 strike deadline but have not reached a deal.
Feb 27, 2018
SAULT STE. MARIE – A last minute decision from Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) has delayed a legal strike by paramedics that was to begin at midnight on February 28.
GODERICH—Unifor is calling on the Goderich mine’s owners, Compass Minerals, to “press pause” on a massive round of lay-offs in order to ensure that procedures are being followed properly.
“Being laid off is a major event in any family’s life,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “We have serious concerns about the way Compass has acted, and we’re calling on the employer to respect the collective agreement and their obligations under the law.”
On behalf of Unifor, Canada’s largest private sector union, I want you to know that our 315,000 members including our more than 13,000 in Nova Scotia stand shoulder to shoulder in solidarity with the Nova Scotia Teachers Union (NSTU) and the other unions and workers in the education sector who have expressed profound concerns with the Glaze Report.
February 27, 2018
SAULT STE. MARIE – A strike beginning midnight on Wednesday now appears inevitable after city officials made an insulting final offer to Unifor paramedics in Sault Ste. Marie, before walking away from talks.
Unifor is calling on the Goderich mine’s owners, Compass Minerals, to “press pause” on a massive round of lay-offs in order to ensure that procedures are being followed properly.
“Being laid off is a major event in any family’s life,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “We have serious concerns about the way Compass has acted, and we’re calling on the employer to respect the collective agreement and their obligations under the law.”
TORONTO – Unifor Local 4268 representing school bus drivers in Ontario has served First Student Canada with a strike notice effective as of 12:01 a.m. on Thursday March 1, 2018.
“Negotiations are continuing and it is our hope that a fair settlement can still be reached as we are fully aware of the key service that drivers provide to school communities,” said Unifor Ontario Regional Director Naureen Rizvi. “It’s clear however that low wages and the resulting driver shortages are chronic problems that must be addressed in the Ontario system.”
The Unifor ACL bargaining committee is pleased to report that a tentative agreement has been reached with Bell Aliant, after eight tough sessions of bargaining in Halifax.
ESPANOLA, ONTARIO—Unifor is working with Domtar to find solutions to the staffing levels that have resulted in the pulp mill’s temporary shutdown.
“We’re disappointed with Domtar’s actions but we are doing everything we can to ensure that the mill is re-activated with safety in mind,” said Scott Doherty, Unifor Assistant to the National President.
After steam plant staffing levels reached a critical low, some operations could no longer continue. The company later initiated a shutdown, forcing dozens of workers to stop working.
