REGINA—The sell-off of two publicly-owned gas plants is a betrayal of a promise made to the people of Saskatchewan during the last election, says Unifor.
“How many times can this government break the same promise?” asked Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “We simply cannot trust Scott Moe. His government’s word is worthless.”
HALIFAX – On September 18, 2018, mediator/arbitrator William Kaplan issued an award that establishes a collective agreement for more than 3,000 employees in the Health Administrative Professional Bargaining Unit at the NSHA and the IWK.
The award came after one day of mediation-arbitration that took place September 18, 2018 and concludes a process that began in October 2016.
TORONTO – Unifor warns that rushed debate on the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) legislation hurts Canada’s trade position at a crucial point in NAFTA negotiations.
TORONTO—Unifor Local 7575 members at the Toronto Marriott Bloor Yorkville have voted overwhelmingly to ratify a path-breaking collective agreement, with significant economic gains and breakthroughs in job security and workload protections.
“We believe this is the first time in Ontario that a collective agreement has fully protected room attendants’ work from sham ‘green’ programs at a Marriott property,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.
On behalf of over 10,000 Aerospace workers, we want to convey our disappointment with the Newfoundland and Labrador’s government lack of action to resolve the labour dispute between D-J Composites and Unifor Local 597. Unifor Aerospace Council is appalled that a government that prides itself on defending the people of Newfoundland and Labrador would allow an American company to lock out workers for over 21 months.
TORONTO – More than 800 workers at Toronto’s iconic Fairmont Royal York voted today on whether to switch unions and join Unifor, following a ruling from the labour board last week ordering the vote.
“These workers are finally getting the democratic choice they deserve to belong to a union of their own choosing,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.
ST. JOHN’S - Unifor National President Jerry Dias is again reaching out to Premier Dwight Ball to meet concerning the 631-day lockout of 30 aerospace workers in Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador.
Dias called the Premier’s office today.
It is the fourth request from Unifor for a meeting with the Premier whose media statements about the lockout this week clearly indicate he doesn’t understand what is at play in this dispute that is likely the longest lockout in the province’s labour history.
GANDER – Unifor will host a major rally in Gander, Newfoundland, marking the 92rd week of a difficult lockout by D-J Composites.
“This callous lockout has been dragged on for far too long by this union-busting employer and a shamefully complacent provincial government,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “If you believe that workers deserve to be treated fairly by their bosses and that governments should support working people - then I’ll see you at our rally in Gander on September 26.”
Collective bargaining between the Council of Unions Health Support Unit and the Nova Scotia Health Authority and IWK Children’s Hospital took place August 27-30. The Council exchanged proposals with the employer on August 26 followed by three days of bargaining. Upon completion of the scheduled bargaining dates, there were many outstanding issues that were not addressed including job security language, weekend and shift premiums as well and uniform and clothing allowances.
TORONTO – A tentative agreement has been reached between Unifor Local 7575 and the Toronto Marriott Bloor Yorkville, averting a strike.
“We are pleased that the bargaining committee has reached an agreement they will recommend to members that if ratified, will avoid any inconvenience to hotel guests and the public during the Toronto International Film Festival,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor’s National President.
A country and its culture is distinguished from another by the stories it tells – about itself and about its place in the world.
Those are stories told through books and magazines, television and film, through broadcast and printed journalism, through music and live theatre, and more.
In Canada, we are lucky to have rich source of storytellers across this country, telling incredible stories. We can be proud of this, but pride is simply not enough when you live next door to the largest producer of cultural goods in the world.
OSHAWA – As key issues are negotiated at the ongoing NAFTA talks and debate is set to begin on the CPTPP, Unifor invites community members and the media to the Oshawa People’s Trade Town Hall.
“Amid all the drama and brinkmanship it’s vital that workers’ interests are brought to the table and incorporated into any new agreement,” said Colin James, President of Unifor Local 222, representing GM Oshawa workers. “For too long international trade deals have benefited corporations and not people.”
September 5, 2018 HALIFAX - Unifor welcomes the establishment of an expert advisory panel on Nova Scotia’s long-term care system. “The system is under-funded. Workers, most of whom are women, earn low to modest wages. The funding cuts by the McNeil government have made it harder for a system that was already challenged to deliver high quality care,” said Lana Payne, Unifor’s Atlantic Regional Director. “Workers are stressed to the max, working short staffed, and worried about their patients and residents, most of whom are seniors.”
The federal government’s plans to modernize labour standards in the federal jurisdiction can’t happen fast enough says Unifor, after a report on government consultations was released today.
TORONTO- – There is no excuse for any shortage of school bus drivers when classes start next week, as some Ontario school boards are already warning could happen, Unifor says.
“It can’t really be a surprise to anyone that if you pay someone poorly, make them work for free and flip their contracts every few years, that you then have trouble recruiting and keeping employees,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.
“When drivers are paid fairly, they stick around. It’s not that complicated.”
