The Ontario government introduced a second step in a plan to support emergency response workers who suffer from PTSD. Unifor has supported efforts to ensure emergency response workers receive adequate coverage for mental health issues stemming from their line of work.
OTTAWA, Feb. 19, 2016 /CNW/ - With interest rates at historic lows and the need among Canadians great, now is the ideal time for the federal government to take an active role in stimulating the Canadian economy, Unifor National President Jerry Dias told the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance today.
"The retreat of our government from the economic stage has hurt ordinary Canadians," Dias said.
The welfare state retrenchment that has dominated federal politics since the 1980s has not only failed to stimulate higher levels of investment or faster GDP growth; it has left the federal government with chronically weak fiscal capacity to deliver the social services Canadians expect. It has also seriously compromised the scope for government to effectively respond to economic crises. Unifor believes in a strong, graduated tax system that provides the revenue tools necessary for the government to play an active role in enhancing the value of Canadian national life.
OTTAWA, Feb. 18, 2016 /CNW/ - Unifor National President Jerry Dias will appear before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance on Friday to make Unifor's recommendations for the upcoming federal budget, including ways to stimulate both the economy and job growth.
"Last fall, Canadians voted for a government that would play an active role in stimulating the economy to provide opportunities for working families and future generations," Dias said.
REGINA, Feb. 18, 2016 /CNW/ - With news that Saskatchewan is opening the first for-profit plasma donation clinic in the country, Unifor calls on the federal, provincial and territorial ministers of health to re-affirm the three principles governing the Canadian blood system adopted and affirmed by their predecessors in 1979:
I. protection of the system of voluntary donation;
OTTAWA, Feb. 18, 2016 /CNW/ - Unifor National President Jerry Dias will appear before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance on Friday to make Unifor's recommendations for the upcoming federal budget, including ways to stimulate both the economy and job growth.
"Last fall, Canadians voted for a government that would play an active role in stimulating the economy to provide opportunities for working families and future generations," Dias said.
TORONTO, Feb. 17, 2016 /CNW/ - Unifor, Canada's largest private-sector union, lauded the by the federal government announcement that it will be launching an investigation into the decline of media and its effect on Canadian society.
Published in the Huffington Post February 17, 2016
The real threat of Uber goes well beyond taxis and how we hail a cab.
It goes to basic respect for the laws of the land, the willingness or ability of governments to enforce those laws, and to the responsibility we all bear to pay our taxes to support the kind of society we want for ourselves and our families.
TORONTO, Feb. 16, 2016 /CNW/ - The renewed dialogue between the Ontario and federal governments on the Canada Pension Plan and the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan is promising news, Unifor says.
Ontario Finance Minister Charles Sousa confirmed that, under a new deal, the federal government will facilitate registration, share data and administer ORPP contributions on behalf of Ontario.
VANCOUVER, Feb. 16, 2016 /CNW/ - A minority of Vancouver container trucking companies have filed suit to avoid paying thousands of dollars of retroactive pay owing to drivers in the sector. The largest union in the sector says that the suit has no merit, and that the companies are seeking an outcome that would threaten stability at Port Metro Vancouver.
OTTAWA, Feb. 16, 2016 /CNW/ - An interprovincial coalition of labour and community groups are coming together to make the case for Employment Insurance improvements as part of economic stimulus in the upcoming budget. A joint statement was sent to the Finance Minister, Minister Responsible for EI and the Prime Minister in advance of the House of Commons Finance committee Budget 2016 hearings being held this week.
TORONTO, Feb. 12, 2016 /CNW/ - Fiat Chrysler's announcement that a new minivan at its Windsor facility will mean twice as many jobs as first expected is not only good news, it's a reflection of Canada's competiveness in the auto sector, Unifor National President Jerry Dias says.
"Canadian autoworkers can compete with any in the world," Dias said.
Published February 3, 2016 in the Huffington Post.
It took only a few minutes, but with a quick motion in the House of Commons last week, the new Liberal government moved to repeal two appalling pieces of federal labour legislation brought in by the former Harper government, Bills C-377 and C-525.
Almost immediately, Conservatives in the Senate promised to do all they could to block that repeal. We can’t let that happen. For those who thought this particular struggle was over, there is still much work to be done.
Published in the Huffington Post February 10, 2016
Now that the Trans Pacific Partnership has been signed, maybe we can have the honest, open and transparent debate that Canadians were denied during the federal election – and which the new Liberal government in Ottawa has promised.
Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland signed the TPP last week, saying it was merely a formality before the deal could be put before Parliament for debate. So, let’s have that debate. There’s certainly a lot to talk about.
Unifor activists in Ontario fought hard to include violence, sexual harassment and domestic violence in the Occupational Health & Safety Act. Changes were made through Bill 168 but they didn’t go far enough. Our activists are back with pressure on the government through Bill 132. You can read our submission in PDF format below.
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.
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.
Accessibility
Documents can be requested in alternative/accessible formats by emailing communications@unifor.org
