November 24, 2017 Edmonton—A bargaining impasse between Unifor Local 21A and AT Films Inc. (RPC BPI Agriculture) has led the union to apply for mediation. “The company is waging an attack on health benefits and pension obligations,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “AT Films appears intent on taking bargaining on a path towards customer service disruption and job action.” The union went on strike in July 2015 to protect contract language on pensions and benefits and says that cuts in this round are a non-starter. AT Films Inc.
November 20, 2017 Mexico City – Unifor National President Jerry Dias will visit the site where two striking Mexican miners were brutally murdered near the Media Luna mine in Guerrero State, Mexico. “I am saddened and angered that these workers were murdered for standing up for their right to join the union of their choice,” said Dias.
Ottawa—Unifor rail workers are back in Ottawa this week to urge senators to amend the government bill authorizing workplace surveillance (Bill C-49).
“C-49 was rushed and will have widespread implications for workers in every sector,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “The federal government has simply not done its homework on these extraordinary surveillance measures.”
Another crucial element of our Bargaining Sessions with Bell Canada will be addressed during the week of November 27. In February, Bell demonstrated its apathy toward workers by sending out an email announcing that the company was terminating the Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) or as Bell refers to it, Post-Retirement Benefits (PRB) after April 1, 2019.
The Unifor ACL Bargaining Committee would like to clarify some key information after receiving a number of inquiries from members about the Defined Benefit Pension Plan changes announced by Bell this past year.
Currently members can retire with an unreduced pension if:
The fifth session of bargaining wrapped up Nov. 9, 2017 with little progress to report.
“All non-monetary issues have been explored but the packaging of a deal has proven to be difficult, as the decision to move to greater issues is being overshadowed with the lack of productivity accomplished so far,” said Roch Leblanc, National Representative and Chief Negotiator.
November 13, 2017 Toronto – Unifor Local 444 members at the Dresden and Point Edward Casinos have ratified new three-year contracts with Gateway Casinos & Entertainment. “These contracts provide a framework for negotiations with private corporations that have taken over casinos from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation,” said Deb Tveit, Assistant to the Unifor National President.
November 10, 2017 TORONTO – A tentative agreement has been reached between Gateway Casinos & Entertainment and Unifor Local 444, representing approximately 250 workers at the Dresden and Point Edward Casinos. “This tentative agreement is significant as it’s the first one reached since Gateway Casinos took over the casinos from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation,” said Deb Tveit, Assistant to the Unifor National President.
November 8, 2017 VANCOUVER – Unifor members at Brink’s Canada Ltd. in British Columbia have ratified a new four-year contract. “These negotiations presented a unique set of challenges in an industry that is undergoing fundamental change,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.
Your bargaining committee met with the employer last week. During these discussions, the union made an extensive presentation about how performance objectives are assessed, and the need for change to a fairer system, with less stress at work.
We continue to resolve some non-monetary issues. Our next bargaining session is scheduled for the week of November 20th.
Conciliation begins November 9 with the Nova Scotia Council of Healthcare Unions, which is trying to reach a fair collective agreement for hundreds of workers in employed by the Nova Scotia Health Authority and IWK. The council is made up of bargaining committee members from Unifor, NSGEU, CUPE and NSNU.
TORONTO—Amendments to the U.S.-imposed duties on softwood lumber exports doesn’t change the crisis facing Canada’s forestry industry, says Unifor.
“Nothing changes today. The tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber are outrageous,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “We expect our government’s response to be bold and confident. Forestry communities deserve nothing less.”
November 2, 2017 TORONTO – Unifor repeated the call today for multiple amendments to Bill 148, the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, at the final public hearing on the proposed legislation. “There are still holes in Bill 148 that leave workers vulnerable to abuse by employers that must be addressed before it becomes law,” said Unifor’s Ontario Regional Director Naureen Rizvi.
OTTAWA—Unifor has taken its concerns about pending workplace surveillance legislation to the federal Privacy Commissioner in an open letter published today.
“There is a dangerous precedent buried in Bill C-49,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Recording workers on the job is a violation of basic privacy rights.”
WASHINGTON – Unifor National President Jerry Dias and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross have agreed that addressing the core issue of low Mexican wages is the key to breaking the impasse at NAFTA renegotiations.
“There is a clear understanding that Canadian and American workers have both been injured by the siphoning off of manufacturing jobs to Mexico,” said Dias. “We agreed that Canada and the U.S. must work together to pressure Mexico to drive up wages significantly or face joint retaliatory measures.”
October 29, 2017 TORONTO – Brink’s Canada Ltd. workers in two Unifor bargaining groups, one in Ottawa region and the other covering the remainder of Ontario, have ratified new four-year contracts. “These were very difficult negotiations,” said Unifor Assistant to the National Secretary-Treasurer Jenny Ahn.
October 25, 2017 REGINA—Unifor says that the repeal of Bill 40 is a good start to rebuilding the government’s commitment to the province’s popular Crown corporations. “The people of this province value affordable, high-quality public services,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Repealing the privatization law is just the start.
