Unifor members across the country have closely followed the 2024 United States election. Canada and the United States are economically interdependent. As a result, any change in U.S. policy and the U.S. economy is consequential to Canadian jobs, communities, economic sectors and trade.
TORONTO – The union representing Bell workers questions the decision by Bell Canada Enterprises Inc. (BCE), to acquire American company Ziply Fiber following a year of devastating cuts in Canada.
Two members of the Royal Canadian Armed Forces have been awarded the Star of Courage for their heroic rescue of Unifor Local 1944 members aboard the fishing vessel Atlantic Destiny, when it caught fire and sank off the coast of Nova Scotia in March 2021.
Workers at Sollio Agriculture, a feed mill in New Minas, N.S., have ratified a new four-year collective agreement on Oct. 20, 2024, in a unanimous vote.
“Congratulations to the bargaining committee for negotiating a fair agreement for the members,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “A lot of work went into this agreement, and it shows.”
It is with profound sadness that Unifor acknowledges the passing of the Honourable Murray Sinclair.
In his role as Chief Commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, Sinclair's leadership was instrumental in bringing to light the horrors of the residential school system, amplifying the voices of survivors, and forging a path toward healing and reconciliation.
Every single worker faces a degree of risk or danger in performing their job. Unifor leadership and staff and guest speakers from a variety of areas of expertise shared experiences in responding to and preventing these risks with nearly 150 Unifor members at the weekend’s Health, Safety and Environment Conference, titled Back to Basics and Beyond.
The Unifor National Skilled Trades Council focused on maintaining a strong Skilled Trades workforce for the future, with discussions on increasing apprenticeship opportunities, training for women in the trades, the impact of automation, and the need to protect standards against attempts to water down qualifications.
TORONTO—Unifor’s Energy Sector Council has launched the “Keep it in the Pipe” campaign, calling for comprehensive methane reduction regulations in Canada’s oil and gas sector.
“Unchecked methane leaks pose serious risks to workers, our communities, and ultimately the climate,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “But it doesn’t have to be this way. Today energy workers are proposing solutions that bring government, industry, and labour to the table.”
WINDSOR— Unifor Local 2458 and Clear Medical Imaging are set to resume negotiations on Friday, November 8, 2024, after Unifor’s request for a conciliator to assist in reaching a fair agreement.
KANATA, ONT.— Best Theratronics continues to refuse to negotiate as the ongoing strike by workers at its Kanata, ON facility hits the six-month mark on Nov. 1, 2024. Despite ongoing attempts by Unifor to resolve the dispute, including a proposal to resolve the dispute with the help of an independent arbitrator, the company refuses to negotiate or engage.
In a significant victory for approximately 190 workers affected by the sudden closure of the Adient seating plant in Tillsonburg, Ontario, an arbitrator has awarded each worker 14 weeks of additional pay for violating a promise to give six months notice of a plant closure. The 14 weeks pay is in addition to severance and notice of termination pay already received by the workers.
BELLEVILLE—Members of Unifor Local 1090 have ratified a new four-year collective agreement that helps harmonize wage rates at Shorelines casinos in the region.
“Local 1090 members set a goal and bargained skillfully to achieve it,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “They can be proud of their accomplishments in this round.”
The contract includes wages that will match Shorelines Peterborough rates by 2026, which includes increases of up to 32%. Other improvements include lower health benefit premiums and a higher full-to-part-time ratio.
Unifor welcomes 53 new members from Porter Airlines at Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) to the union.
“Congratulations to our new members at Porter Airlines, we are thrilled to have you join more than 13,000aviation workers who are part of Unifor,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
“You’re joining a robust sector full of members who are fighting to improve working conditions throughout the industry, and we look forward to bargaining your first collective agreement.”
HALIFAX—Leaders from Unifor, NSGEU and CUPE say trust with government has been bruised as collective bargaining is called off for the last of four health care bargaining units in Nova Scotia.
TORONTO—Unifor is pleased to see a path forward to distribute Google’s $100 million annual contribution to Canada’s news businesses, after the Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) announced Monday it was granting Google a five-year exemption from the Online News Act (ONA).
At the head of Canada’s largest private-sector union, Unifor National President Lana Payne says defending union rights and empowering bargaining committees across the union are top of mind given the current climate.
Payne shared perspectives on the current state of union relations and top issues related to Unifor’s members at the Canada Labour and Employee Relations Network (LERN) event in Toronto on Oct. 23, 2024.
REGINA—Unifor members worked for a different election result but the largest union in the private sector is now turning its attention to protecting workers’ rights and defending public services under a re-elected conservative provincial government.
“The Sask Party’s diminished majority is a sign that voters are increasingly unhappy with the direction of the province,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Unifor will not stop mobilizing to ensure public services and Crown corporations receive the public investment they need.”
Unifor files for conciliation in CPKC negotiations
Unifor Local 101R has taken the step to file for conciliation after CPKC refused to meaningfully address core issues that affect over 1,200 members.
This move comes after the employer failed to respond adequately to critical concerns regarding job security, work ownership, and strained labour relations.
CALGARY – Unifor has filed for conciliation in its negotiations with CPKC after discussions reached an impasse over key issues impacting thousands of workers.
Unifor Council 4000 and Local 100 have officially opened negotiations with VIA Rail, focusing on addressing key issues that impact more than 2,500 members across Canada.
VANCOUVER—Unifor congratulates Premier David Eby and the B.C. NDP caucus on their re-election, praising their commitment to advancing workers’ rights, strengthening public services, and building a more equitable economy.
“This is a win for working people across British Columbia,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “From raising the minimum wage to investing in public services, the NDP has prioritized workers and our families and we look forward to continued advancement in Premier Eby’s second term.”
MONTREAL – Unifor Council 4000 and Local 100 representing more than 2500 workers at VIA Rail, have opened negotiations focusing on key issues affecting the workplace.
ST. JOHN’S—Unifor Atlantic Regional Director Jennifer Murray, along with Atlantic Regional Council (ARC) Women’s Committee Member Doretta Strickland and ARC Treasurer Adele Jackman, met with Pam Parsons, Minister responsible for Women and Gender Equality, and Bernard Davis, Minister of Justice and Public Safety, to stress the importance of declaring intimate partner violence (IPV) an epidemic in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Sometimes, for big ideas to grow, all it takes is a seed to be planted.
This year’s Black, Indigenous and Workers of Colour (BIWOC) Conference central theme was “United for healing, peace and solidarity,” where delegates were encouraged to share innovative ideas on community-driven strategies to break down barriers.
Unifor continues to support its members who work as media workers and journalists by marking November 2 as the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists.
On this day, we raise our voices to demand justice for journalists globally who face grave threats and violence simply for doing their jobs—bringing truth to light and holding power accountable.
HALIFAX–Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston’s premature election call is interrupting collective bargaining for thousands of health care workers in the lowest-paid classifications in acute care, long-term care, and group homes.
