Unifor members and community supporters united this week at a solidarity action to bolster Local 1541 members on strike at Best Theratronics since May 1, 2024.
“It’s been 118 days too long. We’re here to send a message to this employer that we’re here to fight,” Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi told striking workers and supporters at the action.
Workers at Flex-N-Gate Seeburn in Beaverton, Ontario are new members of Unifor. More than 100 employees at the independent auto parts supplier voted to join the union after a launching a campaign in June.
Today, Unifor leadership met with Ontario Minister of Labour David Piccini and senior ministerial staff to update the government on the ongoing dispute at Wescast Industries in Wingham, Ontario. The meeting was held as part of Unifor’s continuing efforts to resolve the dispute between the union and the company’s owners, Bohong Industries Group in China over approximately $10 million in unpaid severance and termination pay owed to nearly 200 workers.
TORONTO – Unifor supported the International Transport Federation (ITF)’s Safe Rates campaign at rallies today at DHL locations across Canada to send a strong message to the transport industry and federal government – safe rates save lives.
VANCOUVER—Members of Unifor Local 433 have won their fight for fair wage increases and safer working conditions, ending a three-week long strike at Vancouver’s Residence Inn.
“Fighting back works,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Unifor members at the Residence Inn have demonstrated again that union solidarity can help win significant contract gains.”
TORONTO—Unifor welcomes the federal government decision to impose an additional 100% tariff on all new energy vehicles imported from China as well as a new 25% tariff on imports of steel and aluminum.
MONTREAL–Retired workers – and former members of the union Unifor – who worked at the plant on Dickson Street in Montreal gathered to mark the sad anniversary of the bankruptcy of MABE Canada, which resulted in major losses for them. The rally was held in front of the plant at 5778 Notre-Dame Street East in Montreal.
TORONTO—Unifor members who work at DHL and their supporters will hold rallies across Canada on Tuesday, August 27 in support of the International Transport Federation’s Safe Rates campaign week.
MONTREAL–Unifor will be holding a gathering to mark the 10th anniversary of the closure of MABE, after it filed for bankruptcy and workers lost their group insurance and life insurance and 22% of their pension.
ST. JOHN’S–Unifor is extremely disheartened after confirmation that today is the last day of work for many members of Local 441-G at The Telegram and its Austin St.
VANCOUVER—Unifor members from across Metro Vancouver will show support for the Local 433 members on strike at the Residence Inn with a lunch-hour rally.
“Hospitality workers are the backbone of the tourism industry in Vancouver,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director. “They deserve safe working conditions and wages that keep pace with the region’s sky-high cost of living.”
What: Rally for Residence Inn workers
Who: Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle and Unifor members
Nearly 400 women gathered at the Unifor Family Education Centre in Port Elgin, ON, for a three-day conference packed with informative, emotional, and inspiring speakers and sessions.
The centre itself is a hub for empowering women and Unifor Women’s Director Tracey Ramsey shared how her experiences attending a Women’s Conferences led to her running for office – and winning as a federal MP –– and to her current role in the union where she strives to help other sisters rise to their potential.
Last night, Teamsters railway workers at CN and CPKC were locked out.
Our union stands in solidarity with Teamsters members.
Unifor, Canada’s largest union in the private sector, represents workers at the profitable and powerful CN and CPKC and will soon bargain for our own contracts.
“The piece that I designed for the Orange Shirt is depicting the potential of every child. They hold all of their possibilities in their hands, nurtured by the sun and guided by the Creator represented by the Eagle.”
Unifor members of First Student Bus in Kingston, Ont. have a new three-year deal to celebrate.
“This contract continues to build momentum for our First Student Bus members, beginning with the gains in the recent Cornwall agreement to this one,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
Unifor representatives Dan Bailey and Claudine Stom attended the August 16 opening of the ASAHTOWIKAMIK Food Hub in Regina, a groundbreaking facility dedicated to addressing food insecurity. Unifor’s $25,000 donation is part of the union’s ongoing commitment to social justice and community support, helping to ensure that vulnerable populations have access to nutritious food in a dignified manner.
Unifor members at Marine Atlantic have ratified two new three-year agreements.
“For years, Marine Atlantic dragged out the negotiating process, frustrating our members and undermining their right to fair and free collective bargaining. This time we engaged a new bargaining strategy with the employer,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
Unifor members at CTV Ottawa have ratified a new three-year deal with their employer this week.
“Congratulations to the bargaining committee for fighting for the needs of our members,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
“We all know the state the media sector is in and every contract our union bargains to strengthen wages and create more job security for journalists and media workers helps make their lives more stable.”
Unifor, representing 320,000 workers including 24,000 workers in the forestry sector, is disappointed and frustrated with the United States’ continued attack on Canada’s softwood lumber industry. Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced an increase in countervailing and anti-dumping duties on Canadian lumber exports as parts of its fifth administrative review. These new duties exceed the preliminary rate announced in February 2024. The U.S.
WINGHAM— Unifor is intensifying efforts against Wescast Industries and its owner, Bohong Industries Group based in China, as the company continues to withhold approximately $10 million in termination and severance pay from 200 workers who lost their jobs at the Wingham, Ontario facility in July 2023.
WINNIPEG—Unifor leaders met with Manitoba’s Minister of Finance and Energy Adrien Sala and Minister of Environment and Climate Change Tracy Schmidt to advocate for the protection and expansion of energy sector jobs, as well as to address the critical issue of fugitive methane emissions. This meeting was part of Unifor’s broader "Keep It In the Pipe" campaign, which emphasizes reducing methane emissions and ensuring good jobs remain in the pipeline.
VICTORIA— Hotel workers at the Hotel Grand Pacific in Victoria have voted 92 per cent in favour of strike action, after negotiations stalled in May and the employer failed to return to the bargaining table.
The 19 members of Local 1944 at Adams & Knickle in the historic town of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia gathered inside a local art studio on August 13 and ratified a new collective agreement after being up against a lockout deadline.
Honourable Andrew Furey Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador Confederation Building, East Block P.O. Box 8700 St. John’s, NL Sent VIA Email
Premier Furey,
I’m reaching out today to request a meeting with you at your earliest availability to discuss the impacts of the recent SaltWire sale on media workers and on communities in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Unifor members of First Student Bus – which provides school bus services for English and French language schools in Cornwall and Embrun, Ont. – recently ratified their four-year contract by 91%.
LONDON—Members of Unifor Local 27 secured wage increase in a new collective agreement ratified August 9 with the warehousing firm HCL Logistics, ending an 18-day strike.
“Local 27’s fight for fairness has resulted in a contract that ensures wages and working conditions keep up with Ontario’s rising costs of living,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
The three-year contract increases wages by more than 17% by 2027. The agreement also improves health and safety procedures and augments the boot allowance.
Unifor Québec is expressing profound concern following the unexpected announcement of the forthcoming closure of Indorama Ventures' purified terephthalic acid (PTA) production facility in Montreal East, scheduled for September 2024.
On August 6, Viterra employees on strike since May 26 travelled by bus from Bécancour to the Port of Montreal to take part in a mobilization action in front of their employer's offices. Around a hundred people gathered for the event, including members of other locals who had come to lend their solidarity.
