TORONTO –Premier Ford’s plan to use injured worker’s WSIB funds to cut cheques for business owners in the province is a misappropriation of funds.
“It’s disgraceful to give payouts to employers when so many injured workers and occupational disease victims and families are still denied claims or have seen benefits slashed,” said Naureen Rizvi, Unifor Ontario Regional Director. “This payout is a misuse of money that workers desperately need, and looks like an attempt to gain support just a few months before the provincial election.”
Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle explains why striking Sea to Sky transit workers went to Whistler Village to hold a community support rally during the height of ski season.
HALIFAX- Contract negotiations kicked off today for 1,700 members who work for Bell Aliant across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador.
“These proud Atlantic Canadian workers have had enough of Bell Aliant shipping their work out of the region or overseas,” said Chris MacDonald, Unifor Assistant to the National President. “In today’s opening day, they laid down a clear demand that Bell Aliant keep the work in Atlantic Canada where the profits are made.”
More than 60% of the world’s employed population - that is, 2 billion women, men and youth - earn their livelihoods in the informal economy.
Few workers choose the informal economy. Workers trapped in these exploitive conditions lack social protections and employment related benefits, and they are twice as likely as workers with regular employment to live in poverty. Women are disproportionately the labourers of the informal economy and the economic and social justice they deserve requires the removal of the barriers to decent and formal work.
After opening bargaining with VIA Rail in January 2022, Unifor Local 100 and Council 4000 met with the company during February 7 to 11.
As expected, the company has taken an aggressive bargaining posture and tabled multiple serious concessions. It has become increasingly clear that this will be no ordinary round of bargaining.
ST. JOHN'S - Unions representing fish harvesters on both coasts of Canada are speaking out today against Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, for the single-minded method by which the portfolio is being managed. The Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union (FFAW-Unifor) of Newfoundland and Labrador and the United Fishermen and Allied Workers Union (UFAWU-Unifor) of British Columbia are calling on Minister Murray to take into consideration the dire social and economic impacts her decisions are having on those whose livelihoods rely on the fishery.
TORONTO- Unifor members at Bell Canada opened negotiations with a united front and a demand to protect good jobs in the telecommunications industry.
“Our message in this year’s negotiations is simple. Telecommunications is a vital part of Canada’s economy, and Bell has a responsibility to deliver not only well paid, good jobs but also to maintain domestic capacity in this sector,” said Chris MacDonald, Unifor Assistant to the National President.
On February 14, Unifor sent a Valentine to Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Minister of Education Stephen Lecce once again asking them to sign the federal child care plan to deliver affordable, accessible child care to Ontario families.
WHISTLER—The region’s transit workers and their supporters will gather in Whistler Village on the Family Day weekend to send B.C. Transit a message that workers and community members are united.
“Transit workers help connect our communities and keep the economy moving,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director. “It’s time B.C. Transit recognize the important work done by transit workers in the Sea to Sky corridor.”
AJAX/WHITBY– School bus drivers employed by the multinational operator First Student voted overwhelmingly to support strike action if necessary, with 95% in favour, if a tentative agreement is not reached.
“We will be working hard to resolve this impasse but at the end of the day these drivers have a huge responsibility and the employer, school boards and the provincial government need to recognize and appropriately compensate them for their work,” said Unifor Ontario Regional Director Naureen Rizvi.
Retirees from Unifor Local 1520 have barely been able to get together since the beginning of the pandemic, saving them money on meeting costs, while the pandemic has cut into fundraising at the nearby Children’s Hospital of London.
So the retirees, from the former Ford plant in St. Thomas, thought that maybe the hospital could use the money they’d been setting aside.
Ask yourself: would you ever give up billions of dollars that could be invested in hospitals and schools, thousands of good-paying local jobs and millions from municipal budgets in exchange for a plan to let a hundred casinos open and take their profits offshore? The Ontario government risks making this bad bet if they continue pursuing their current iGaming plan.
TORONTO – Unifor welcomes today’s announcement by the federal government to lift several travel restrictions as of Feb. 28, 2022.
“Canadians are ready to travel for work and for pleasure,” said Scott Doherty, the Executive Assistant to Unifor's National President. “Having these rules lifted will not only encourage more people to want to travel, but it removes some of the red tape for those returning to Canada.”
ST. JOHN’S-Unifor filed a notice of appeal to the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador in response to its recent ruling regarding Exploits Valley Air Services (EVAS) members.
OAKVILLE – Unifor Local 1256 announced Monday it was giving Oakville Transit 72 hours’ strike notice after the company’s latest offer was rejected by its members.
“No one should be surprised that these essential workers at Oakville Transit are frustrated and rejected the company’s offer,” said Tim Mitchell, Unifor National Representative. “The issues on the table are both monetary in nature as well as related to working conditions, at a time of uncertainty, with COVID fatigue and high inflation.”
I am writing to you on behalf of the 4,000 Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) represented by Unifor who have stepped up during this pandemic for the people of Ontario.
Andrea Horwath, Leader – Official Opposition
New Democratic Party of Ontario
Dear Andrea,
Re: Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) in Ontario
I am writing to you on behalf of the 4,000 Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) represented by Unifor who have stepped up during this pandemic for the people of Ontario.
We write on behalf of unions that represent over 150,000 dedicated Ontario health care workers, to address the announcement of a one-time $5,000 retention bonus for front-line nurses. Together our unions represent 25,000 Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) and we write to ensure that these nurses are explicitly covered by any retention bonus. Furthermore, we are calling on your government to ensure workers who deliver critical services in Ontario’s retirement homes also receive this retention bonus.
Like so many of you, the National Union and its officers are monitoring the so-called ‘Freedom Convoy’ demonstrations taking place at Parliament Hill, at various border crossings and other locations throughout the country. The actions that convoy protestors have taken in recent weeks are troubling and, in some cases, reprehensible.
In addition to our bargaining campaign, the national union, alongside Unifor Council 4000 and Local 100, has developed a multi-prong national rail campaign, "Get Canada Back On Track. Invest In Passenger Rail".
Bargaining Update: Bell Aliant and Bell Clerical Negotiations
The Bargaining Committees of Unifor Atlantic Communication Locals (ACL) and Bell Clerical workers are pleased to report that we reached a Maintenance of Activities (MOA) agreement with the employer. Bargaining will begin on February 15, 2022 for the Bell Clerical group and on February 18, 2022 for the Bell workers in the Atlantic.
Both bargaining units reached agreements that are consistent with previous MOAs.
Mark your calendars for March 8 and make a plan to join us for an International Women’s Day Online Event at 7:00 p.m. ET!
International Women’s Day is an opportunity to reflect on the victories we’ve made toward equality, and look forward to the next challenges that we can prepare to face together. This year, we also welcome Tracey Ramsey as the new Unifor Women’s Department Director!
WHAT: IWD Online Event WHEN: March 8, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. ET
HALIFAX - Unifor welcomes the news today that Nova Scotia will be increasing the rate of pay for Continuing Care Assistants (CCAs) in the province by more than 20% as of tomorrow.
On February 3, 2022, members across Ontario participated in a Day of Action to urge provincial Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) and Premier Ford to sign the federal child care plan that promises more than $30 billion in funding to create accessible, affordable, quality child care nationwide.
Unifor Local 914 members working at Advanced Materials in Sarnia have ratified a new four-year agreement.
“Congratulations to the members of Local 914 for achieving a collective agreement that reflects their skilled contributions to the success of TODA Advanced Materials,” said Unit Chair Steve Pallin.
After reaching a tentative deal at the strike deadline on February 4, Local 914 members ratified the agreement by a margin of 77%.
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