Nominations are now open for the annual Unifor Bud Jimmerfield Award and we want you to tell us about a Unifor member who deserves recognition for their work in making workplaces safer.
“Don't mourn my death, fight for the living.”
This is the challenge that Bud Jimmerfield passed on to all Unifor members prior to his death, following years of exposure to cancer-causing chemicals in his workplace.
The latest federal budget includes significant investments in VIA Rail, supporting Unifor’s Get Canada Back on Track campaign efforts to expand and sustain Canada's national passenger rail services.
Each year on May 17, Unifor joins a global community of advocates and activists to raise awareness and take action to combat the challenges, discrimination, and violence faced by queer and
TORONTO—Workers at Nestle have decided to strike over a lack of improvements to their pension plan. Also at issue is the time it takes workers to get to the top rate of pay.
“Nestle workers in the past have gone on strike over pension contributions and again, it’s at the crux of this dispute,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Retirement security is very important to our members, and you throw an affordability crisis on top of that, and it’s no wonder our members are determined to fight here.”
Unifor Local 1285 members at Martin Brower, who are warehouse workers and transportation drivers, have ratified a deal that includes a 22 per cent wage increase over the life of the agreement, job security protections, and pension and vacation improvements.
STONEY CREEK—Unifor members working at Waste Management Canada Corp. (WM) began strike action on May 2, 2024. Major issues with the employer include forced overtime and lack of work-life-balance.
“Our dedicated members handle the tough job of ensuring commercial businesses have their garbage and recycling collected and removed in a safety-sensitive environment,” said Local 4268 President Debbie Montgomery.
To: University of Toronto; McGill University Concordia University; University of Ottawa University of British Colombia; University of Victoria Vancouver Island University; McMaster University
To University Administrators:
RE: Respecting the right to assemble and protest on Canadian university campuses
Delegates at Prairie Regional Council celebrated May Day as the council kicked off at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Regina. The delegates from Manitoba, Alberta and host province Saskatchewan will discuss and debate resolutions, hold mid-term elections and hear from exciting guest speakers and Unifor leadership.
Montreal vibrated to the rhythm of solidarity and mobilization at Unifor's bi-annual Quebec Council, held April 24 to 26, With a focus on issues faced by temporary foreign workers, the event was marked by fiery speeches, fruitful exchanges and a shared determination to defend the rights of those who are often in a vulnerable position.
The Canadian Air Navigation Specialists Association (CANSA) at Unifor Local 1016 is preparing for the end of the 21-day cooling off period – during which no strike or lockout can take place – with employer NAV Canada on May 3, 2024, just before midnight.
“The support and solidarity our members have shown over the last 300 days they have been without a contract speaks volumes which cannot be ignored by NAV Canada,” said James Walker, President of CANSA and Unifor Local 1016.
TORONTO—Unifor is pleased to come to a voluntary recognition agreement with First Student Bus during a contract flip, which protects the seniority of Unifor Local 4268 members, who currently service bus routes at Stock Transportation in Toronto.
“Far too often, we see examples of contract flipping in this sector,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
During National Nursing Week, May 6-12, 2024, Unifor proudly honours the dedication and unwavering commitment of Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) across Canada. Unifor represents 4,000 Registered or Licensed Practical Nurses and Registered Nurses who work in hospitals, private and municipal long-term care homes.
This year’s theme, "Changing Lives. Shaping Tomorrow." reflects the pivotal role these professionals play in transforming health care and crafting the future of patient care.
More than 100 Unifor Local 530-A members turned out April 24 to leaflet the gates of their workplace at the Shell Scotford facility in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. The energy workers are raising the profile of wage gaps between their facility and Shell Scotford's competitors.
“Implementing the gains from the national pattern agreement is a top priority for Unifor,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Whatever efforts the members at Shell Scotford undertake to secure the pattern, they have the full support of Unifor.”
On behalf of Unifor members, including more than 19,000 telecommunications workers at BCE and its subsidiaries, and more than 2,100 members at Bell Media, we are reaching out ahead of BCE’s 2024 annual general shareholder meeting on May 2.
The hard work and expertise of our members have made BCE a successful and profitable company and shareholders have been among the beneficiaries of this success.
Unifor members who work at industrial equipment supplier Colonial Tool Group Inc. in Windsor, Ont., voted unanimously on April 26 for their new three-year contract with the company.
KANATA, Ont.—Members of Unifor Local 1541 who work at Best Theratronics – a company in Kanata, Ont. that manufactures medical devices – went on strike this morning after the company refused to budge on major concessions, including a proposed two-year contract with zero wage increases.
“We are dealing with an affordability crisis right now and having zeros on the table is untenable for our members, with the rising cost of living,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
Workers at St. Andrew's Terrace Long Term Care Community in Cambridge, Ont., have chosen Unifor as their voice in the workplace.
This new addition brings 170 workers from various classifications, including personal support workers (PSW), cooks, environmental workers, dietary aides, maintenance staff, and life enrichment personnel.
WILLIAMS LAKE—Members of Unifor Local 3018 have voted 98% in favour of taking legal strike action against Gibraltar Mines if a fair settlement cannot be reached in May 2024.
“The employer’s bargaining committee must get serious about resolving key outstanding issues if it wants to avoid strike action,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director.
ST. JOHN’S–Unifor members working at 11 Dominion stores across the island of Newfoundland ratified a new collective agreement, voting 88% in favour. The agreement follows a supermarket pattern set in summer 2023 by the union and secured at Metro supermarkets in Ontario.
Unifor members and staff joined the annual Steps for Life event in Toronto’s Coronation Park on Sunday, April 28, the Day of Mourning. The walk is hosted by Threads of Life, an organization that supports those impacted by workplace illness, injury and death and fights to end workplace tragedies.
Unifor has reached a tentative three-year agreement with Nasittuq Corporation, where Unifor members from Local 2002 work at the Canadian Forces Station Alert in the Qikiqtaaluk region of Nunavut.
Highlights of this contract include increased wages, benefits, premiums, allowances, and vacation pay after five years of service, as opposed to the previous 10-year mark.
Unifor Local 21-A Bargaining Committee, representing workers at GATX Rail Canada in Red Deer, Alta., have reached a four-year tentative collective agreement with the company.
TORONTO – Critical multi-government investment for new Honda Canada electric vehicle, battery and battery material facilities will further bolster Canada’s auto sector and help secure and grow jobs across the value chain.
The projected $15 billion investment to assemble new electric vehicles, build a new battery cell plant in Alliston, Ontario alongside additional joint venture battery component and material facilities in Ontario is expected to create an estimated 1,000 new, direct jobs.
WINGHAM—Today, Unifor members rallied outside the Wescast plant in Wingham, Ontario. The protest is in response to Wescast Industries continued refusal to pay approximately $10 million in severance and termination pay owed to workers who were laid off in 2023 following the Company’s decision to cease foundry operations.
Unifor members who work at WM Hamilton – a commercial waste removal and recycling facility in Stoney Creek, Ont. – voted 93% in favour of a strike, as talks continue to a deadline of May 2 at midnight.
“We have a toxic work environment with poor moral and multitude of violations of the collective bargaining agreement with open grievances and arbitrations that we need to deal with before we can move forward with respect,” said Local 4268 President Debbie Montgomery.
The local held a strike vote on April 24.
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