All News

Media Advisory - Unifor launches new Aerospace Policy

MONTREAL- Unifor invites media to attend the release of the union’s new aerospace policy. The policy presents Unifor's vision for the aerospace sector and proposes a number of industrial policy recommendations to address current and future challenges identified in the industry.

This event will be attended by Lana Payne, Unifor National President, and Daniel Cloutier, Unifor Quebec Director, who will discuss the impacts and challenges of this new strategic direction.

World News Day sounds the alarm for critical investment in local news

World News Day on September 28 is a global initiative that spotlights the role journalists play in providing trustworthy news and information. 

This year it will also draw awareness to the turmoil and threats facing the industry, which undermine citizens and democracy all over the world. 

Every year, our union marks World News Day because we believe it is impossible to improve the conditions of work, and the conditions of the world, without trusted news sources.

RailLine, Volume 11 – Issue 17

Dear Members,

Unifor Local 100 and Council 4000 bargaining committees have officially opened negotiations with CN Rail this week. 

These initial discussions mark the beginning of a critical bargaining process for over 3600 members across the country.

Unifor CAMI members ratify collective agreement with GM

INGERSOLL—Unifor members at the CAMI Assembly and Battery Assembly plants have ratified a new collective agreement with General Motors that achieves significant pay increases, delivers the momentous gains in Unifor’s Detroit Three pattern and eliminates a historic pay lag with counterparts at other Canadian GM facilities.

Unifor calls on Labour Minister to assist in Best Theratronics labour dispute

Unifor has called on Federal Minister of Labour Steve MacKinnon to assist in bringing about a collective agreement to end the 142-day long labour dispute at Best Theratronics.

Today, Best Theratronics workers and Unifor Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi met with MacKinnon to discuss the unfair labour practices employed by company owner Krishnan Suthanthiran that have needlessly prolonged the months long strike.

Unifor members emerge victorious as Viterra strike ends

Following several months of strike action and determined resistance to the employer, Unifor members working at Viterra voted 78% in favour to ratify a new collective agreement, putting an end to the labour dispute.  

Unifor rallies for striking Best Theratronics workers

Unifor members and supporters rallied with the PSAC and a delegation of locked-out Vidèotron workers from Gatineau at Best Theratronics, a nuclear facility in Kanata that manufactures medical equipment. 

Our union’s frustration grows with the company owner’s refusal to bargain a new collective agreement. 

Best Theratronics owner and proclaimed millionaire Krishnan Suthanthiran offered members a two-year wage freeze that workers wholeheartedly rejected. 

Unifor reaches tentative agreement with General Motors for CAMI workers

INGERSOLL- Unifor has reached a tentative collective agreement with General Motors that covers more than 1,300 members at the company’s CAMI Assembly and Battery Assembly facilities in Ingersoll, Ontario.

“Congratulations to our bargaining committee for their incredible work at the bargaining table. Every member of our team was instrumental in fighting for and winning this tentative agreement on behalf of all Unifor Local 88 members at CAMI,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.  

Unifor extends CAMI Assembly Plant negotiations with GM

INGERSOLL— Unifor is extending the negotiation deadline with General Motors (GM) on behalf of members of Unifor Local 88 at the CAMI Assembly plant and Battery Assembly facility in Ingersoll, Ontario beyond the current contract expiration at 10:59 p.m. today. 

B.C. forestry unions come together to “fight for our future” at UBCM

VANCOUVER—British Columbia's forestry workers will take part in the Union of B.C. Municipalities conference as part of a campaign to strengthen and secure good paying jobs in the industry.

“Dozens of local governments across the province are experiencing the difficulties of the forestry industry’s contraction,” said Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle. “We invite municipal leadership to be a part of the solution.”

Mississauga Walmart workers join Unifor

TORONTO—Workers at Walmart’s Mississauga warehouse have voted to join Unifor, Canada’s largest private sector union. It is Walmart’s first warehouse to unionize in Canada.

"This victory is the result of uniting around a belief in workplace democracy and better working conditions,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Walmart workers in Mississauga stood up for their rights, and we are excited to get to work on their first collective agreement.”

Unifor members at Goodwill ratify first contract

The new three-year agreement includes significant improvements to wages, benefits including vacation, health and safety language, a new grievance procedure, paid education leave, and new Women’s Advocate and Racial Justice Advocate positions. 

Best Theratronics workers’ voices get louder for employer to get back to the table as strike hits 19-week mark

KANATA, ONT.—Unifor members on strike at Best Theratronics held a rally today outside of the Kanata facility, continuing to stand in solidarity to demand their employer stop violating laws and return to the bargaining table.

“Nothing makes my blood boil more than when employers threaten workers’ livelihoods, blatantly violate labour laws, and refuse to respect workers right to a union. This is Canada. Workers have rights,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

Lancaster House extends its First Resort program trial date for locals

Unifor understands that Local Unions are deeply involved in the grievance and arbitration system while representing their members. Part of this involves research, and access to available databases can be very costly.

That’s why the union has teamed up with Lancaster House to offer locals access to an annual subscription to their First Resort service at a reduced price, as a tool to help with the arbitration process.

Media Advisory: Union vote at Walmart begins with Unifor solidarity action

MISSISSAUGA—Workers at Walmart’s warehouse facility will begin voting to join Unifor Tuesday, September 10. 

“Hundreds of workers at Walmart are demanding safer work, better pay, and improved benefits,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “A vote for the union this week is the best way for workers to get a level playing field with a corporate giant.”

Trench Ltd. electrical manufacturing workers vote 99% to strike

Workers at electrical manufacturer Trench Ltd. in Scarborough, Ont. have made a clear decision to strike if a deal isn’t made by midnight next Saturday.

“The members have expressed their strong support for the bargaining committee by giving them a 99% strike mandate,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

“Strike action is something our union doesn’t take lightly, but we will fight for the needs of our members.”

Major wage gains for Unifor members at the Hotel Grand Pacific

VICTORIA—Wages will increase at least 16.3% over the next three years thanks to a new collective agreement ratified this evening by members of Unifor Local 114 at the Hotel Grand Pacific.

“Unifor members are setting a high standard in the hospitality sector,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “We look forward to building on what Local 114 has achieved at the Hotel Grand Pacific.”