All News

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.

Rama workers ratify first Unifor contract

ORILLIA, ON, Jan. 23, 2016 /CNW/ - Unionized workers at Casino Rama, one of Ontario's largest casino resorts, have ratified their first collective agreement.

"Congratulations to the workers at Casino Rama, and welcome to the Unifor family," said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.

Unifor urges health ministers to negotiate meaningful health funding agreement

VANCOUVER, Jan. 20, 2016 /CNW/ - Unifor National President Jerry Dias is urging Canada's Health Ministers to come to a meaningful agreement on health care funding as they meet this week in Vancouver. He emphasized this as being a critical moment to rebuild confidence and capacity of our neglected public health system.

Postmedia's betrayal of trust

TORONTO, Jan. 19, 2016 /CNW/ - Postmedia's plan to consolidate newsrooms across Canada is a massive betrayal of trust by the newspaper chain to its readers, Unifor says.

"The state of the news industry in this country – both print and broadcast – demands the immediate attention of the new Liberal government in Ottawa," said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.

/C O R R E C T I O N from Source -- Unifor/

In c2444,"First contract reached at Casino Rama", issued 13-Jan-2016 at 19:31 ET please note that the words "gift shop attendants" has been removed in the fifth paragraph. Full corrected copy follows:

Whistler transit operators serve strike notice

WHISTLER, BC, Jan. 14, 2016 /CNW/ - Stalled negotiations with PW Transit Canada Ltd have forced over 90 transit operators represented by Unifor Local 114 to serve strike notice to the employer. No commencement date for a strike has been set, but the operators are eligible to begin job action on Saturday, January 16.

First contract reached at Casino Rama

ORILLIA, ON, Jan. 13, 2016 /CNW/ - Workers at Casino Rama, one of Ontario's largest casino resorts, have negotiated a first contract with the resort.

Scathing labour board report increases pressure on Port Transport and Harbour Link

VANCOUVER, Jan. 12, 2016 /CNW/ - Trucking company Port Transport Ltd made illegal use of replacement workers during the current labour dispute, according to a new ruling from the BC Labour Relations Board (BCLRB). The BCLRB's Vice Chair ordered the company to immediately cease and desist, to provide disclosure of dispatch records on a weekly basis to Unifor, and made an order for payment of financial damages.