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Unifor Statement in Support of African Heritage/Black History Month

Throughout the month of February, Unifor will join with others to commemorate and celebrate the contributions of black people and those of African and Caribbean descent.  We will recall the milestones, achievements and incredible accomplishments that peoples of African and Caribbean descent have made in the arts, social and economic life, politics, science and the labour movement.  We will recognize these contributions have been made in the context of struggles against racial prejudice and barriers and are, thus, even more significant.

 

Hate is not welcome here

Unifor is appalled by the misogyny and hateful events, known as Return of Kings, that were being organized by Roosh V’s online hate group for February 6. Our union along with activists across the country sent a coordinated and united message that hate and violence towards women, gay and transgender people is not welcome in Canada.

Uber fight goes beyond taxis

Unifor taxi drivers were joined by supporters from across the country today as they brought...

Bold change needed in Ontario budget: Unifor

TORONTO, Feb. 1, 2016 /CNW/ - Investing in social services, job creation and economic growth must be the focus of the upcoming Ontario budget. That's the message Unifor delivered to the government's Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs at pre-budget consultations today.

Bold change needed in Ontario budget: Unifor

Investing in social services, job creation and economic growth must be the focus of the upcoming Ontario budget. That’s the message Unifor delivered to the government's Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs at pre-budget consultations today.

“We need to see some bold changes in Ontario,” said Unifor Ontario Regional Director Katha Fortier. “Ontarians are looking for the government to re-focus its priorities and commit to enhanced government investment.”

UPDATE: Media Advisory - Unifor briefing for Press Gallery this Thursday

Adds Unifor Quebec Director Renaud Gagné to list of attendees

OTTAWA, Feb. 1, 2016 /CNW/ - As part of its effort to bring the concerns of working people to MPs this week, Canada's largest union in the private sector will hold a morning press briefing for members of the Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery on Thursday.

Energy sector bargaining opens with an emphasis on job security

CALGARY, Feb. 1, 2016 /CNW/ - Canada's energy union began contract negotiations today with Suncor as part of sector-wide bargaining that will impact over 12,000 energy workers across Canada. Unifor says that the key issue in this round of bargaining will be job security.

MEDIA ADVISORY - Monday: Unifor stresses need for investment

TORONTO, Jan. 29, 2016 /CNW/ - Unifor Ontario Regional Director Katha Fortier will be speaking Monday, Feb. 1, before the Ontario government's Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs, in pre-budget consultations.

Media Advisory - Unifor briefing for Press Gallery on February 4

TORONTO, Jan. 29, 2016 /CNW/ - As part of its effort to bring the concerns of working people to MPs the first week of February, Canada's largest union in the private sector will hold a morning press briefing for members of the Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery on February 4.

Unifor supports CAWU & Goodwill staff

TORONTO, Jan. 28, 2016 /CNW/ - Unifor supports the Canadian Airport Workers Union in its effort to seek justice for 430 Goodwill workers, thrown out of work when Goodwill of Toronto, Eastern, Central and Northern Ontario abruptly closed its 16 stores and 10 donations centres on January 17.

Urgent action needed on newspapers

By Jerry Dias

This was published in the Huffington Post Wednesday January 27, 2016

At a time when our consumption of the news is at an all-time high, the very institutions at the heart of our news media are in crisis -- and demanding the attention of our political leaders.

In just the past week, Postmedia combined newsrooms in Ottawa, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver in a move that not only saw many talented and dedicated journalists pushed out the door, but also saw distinctive voices quieted.

Unifor welcomes the motion to repeal Bills C-525 and C-377

OTTAWA, Jan. 28, 2016 /CNW/ - Unifor commends the Liberal government's decision to repeal Bills C-525 and C-377. These two anti-labour bills, a direct attack on unions by the previous Conservative government, undermined the charter right to form a union for workers in federally-regulated sectors and imposed unnecessary and onerous reporting burdens on all unions. Unifor had been outspoken about the problematic nature of these bills since they were first brought forward.

Unifor calls for mentally healthy work environments

TORONTO, Jan. 27, 2016 /CNW/ - Unifor calls for all employers and employees to create and maintain mentally healthy workplaces. Recognizing the risks of mental illness, including depression, anxiety and stress, in the workplace is the first step to providing the information and support required to ensure that no one suffers in silence.

ORPP progress encouraging but enhanced CPP overdue: Unifor

TORONTO, Jan. 26, 2016 /CNW/ - Unifor is encouraged by today's announcement that the Ontario government will proceed with implementing the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan beginning January 1, 2017. Unifor believes retirement income is best delivered through a stable, cost effective publicly administered pension such as the CPP or ORPP. 

Katha Fortier: Fixing lax standards in the workplace

Published on Mon Jan 25 2016 in the Toronto Star

Re: Blitz - and educate, Editorial Jan. 21

Blitz - and educate, Editorial Jan. 21

While your editorial on the widespread abuse of labour standards revealed through Ministry of Labour inspections aptly describes the poor working conditions faced by many workers, the emphasis you place on the need for education for employers is misplaced.

TPP was bad then, and bad now

TORONTO, Jan. 25, 2016 /CNW/ - The federal government's decision to sign the Trans Pacific Partnership next week is disappointing, but will give Canada a chance to fully debate a trade deal hastily brought in by the former Conservative government during the federal election, Unifor says.

We all suffer when a newspaper closes: Unifor

TORONTO, Jan. 25, 2016 /CNW/ - The closure of two daily newspapers that have published since this country's founding days, following on the heels of last week's newsroom mergers, underlines the need for a broad public policy discussion about the future of Canada's news media, Unifor says.

"Across this country, the vital role played by journalist is being challenged like never before," Unifor National President Jerry Dias said.

Celebrating 100th Anniversary of Women Achieving Right to Vote

This year marks the hundredth anniversary of the first province, Manitoba, in Canada to grant women the right to vote and be elected. Unifor is marking this anniversary and encouraging continued political action.

On January 28, 1916, white, middle and upper class women in Manitoba finally had the right to vote in provincial elections.  Of course the right to vote wasn’t granted to all women and to be accurate, it wasn’t granted, but achieved after a long, hard-fought period of activism spearheaded by the Political Equality League.

Freeland signs the TPP

Federal Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland signed the TPP at a ceremony in New Zealand, a move she said does "not equal ratifying." The Liberal government has committed to holding public consultations on the deal before it is put to a ratification vote by MPs. Ratification must be held before February 2018. Unifor pledged to be active in the coming debate on the TPP.