Montreal – Unifor invites its members and the general public to join the March for a Better NAFTA to demand an agreement that protects good jobs, and respects labour, environmental, and democratic rights.
WHAT: March for a Better NAFTA
WHERE: Rallying point at Dorchester Square (on Metcalfe north of René-Lévesque Blvd.)
Unifor is welcoming hundreds of hotel workers from across Toronto and Mississauga who are making the decision to leave their U.S. union, UNITE HERE, and preserve their autonomy and workers’ democratic rights as part of Unifor. “Unifor will not stand by and allow the heavy-handed tactics of American unions to continue to trample on the rights of Canadian workers,” Unifor National President Jerry Dias said. The American union of UNITE HERE organized a takeover of its Canadian unit Local 75 that represents hotel and food service workers throughout the GTA.
Most who know me, know of my profound respect for central labour organizations, as a force to build solidarity among unions, and bring about change for working people. This is especially true of federations of labour and labour councils across the country, where grassroots campaigning and mobilizing happens.
As a past president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour (NLFL), I also know how challenging this is.
Montreal – Unifor invites its members and the general public to join the March for a Better NAFTA to demand an agreement that protects good jobs, and respects labour, environmental, and democratic rights.
WHAT: March for a Better NAFTA
WHERE: Rallying point at Dorchester Square (on Metcalfe north of René-Lévesque Blvd.)
Moncton – Unifor welcomes the New Brunswick government’s latest move to make childcare more affordable and accessible for working parents.
“This is a great step towards making childcare more affordable for working parents,” said Lana Payne, Atlantic Regional Director. “This is also important to advancing women’s equality and enabling women to participate more fully in the labour force.” Today the government announced that families won’t pay more than 20 per cent of their income on child care for children under five.
As the joint committee enters the fifth week with the employer, discussions have shifted to focus on our proposals aiming to resolve the work life balance issues, or the lack thereof, faced by our members each and every day. The union is focused on our major issues of scheduling and overtime.
Saint John - Unifor is applauding the New Brunswick government’s $71 million investment to improve child care in the province, including today’s announcement of free childcare for all families with children under five, earning less than $37,500.
“As a long-time advocate of accessible, affordable, high quality childcare, Unifor is very pleased to see these important steps being taken by the government of New Brunswick,” said Lana Payne, Atlantic Regional Director.
We wish you a Happy New Year and hope you have enjoyed some time with your friends and family. As the Bargaining Committee met with Bell in Toronto during the week of December 18, you showed great solidarity and strength.
Toronto—Unifor supports the Government of Canada’s new complaint to the World Trade Organization WTO) over the United States’ unfair trade tariffs on the forestry sector.
“The U.S. is trying to bully us, and we’re not going to stand for it,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Canada’s forestry sector is following the rules and we’re confident that we will prevail—again—in international tribunals.”
Peterborough—One of the region’s largest employers announced the unjustified closure of the Nephton mine near Havelock just days before Christmas.
“Shutting the Nephton mining operation simply does not make sense, and this decision will inevitably haunt Unimin,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Worse, this announcement comes with no commitment of job protection for the hundreds of affected families.”
Toronto—During the busiest season of the year for Canadian airports, Unifor is raising concerns about the dangers of abandoning the not-for-profit model of the nation’s airport network.
“Airports are gateways for millions of passengers and billions of dollars in goods,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Airport security and service should take priority over making a quick buck.”
Given the numerous common issues in Ontario and Quebec, we have agreed to a set of bargaining rules of engagement in order to showcase our solidarity and strengthen our position during negotiations with the Company.
By Ignatius Oram Unifor Member, Unit Chair of Local 597
I am one of 32 workers who were locked out a few days before Christmas last year by my American employer, D-J Composites, which operates an aerospace manufacturing plant in Gander, Newfoundland.
St. Johns – Unifor has filed a second unfair labour practice complaint alleging bad faith bargaining against an American based employer that locked out 32 aerospace workers one year ago today.
"D-J Composites refuses to abide by the normally accepted practices for collective bargaining, and clearly has no intention of fulfilling its obligations to these workers under the province’s employment laws,” said Shane Wark, Assistant to Unifor’s National President, at a rally on the steps of the Confederation Building in St. John’s.
St-John's - Members of Unifor local 597 will mark the one-year anniversary of the day their American-based employer locked them out, with a bus ride from Gander to the Newfoundland and Labrador legislature in St. John’s for a solidarity rally.
“If the province had stronger labour laws there is no way this American company could get away with its shameful union busting and would have to instead negotiate fairly,” said Lana Payne, Atlantic Regional Director.
The Unifor ACL bargaining committee made progress on several issues this week and both sides have agreed to extend discussions into January.
“We have accomplished long awaited results this week in signing off on multiple issues, including paid domestic violence leave for members, agreements on performance management and the formation of a joint committee on mental health,” said Bobby MacDonald, Chair of Unifor ACL.
Negotiations between Unifor and First Student Canada underway
Toronto – Negotiations are currently underway between First Student Canada and Unifor Local 4268, representing school bus drivers in the Bowmanville, Kincardine, Port Elgin, Wiarton and Owen Sound regions.
“We just ratified a collective agreement with First Student drivers in the Durham Region so it’s our goal to build on that success to achieve wage increases and the elimination of unpaid driving hours in these additional regions,” said Debbie Montgomery, President of Unifor Local 4268.
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