Our union is only as strong as the connections we share with each other and our communities.
Unifor’s recent recreation committee expansions in Winnipeg, Moncton, and St. John’s highlight workers’ increased interest in back-to-basics ways to build community and union solidarity.
A yearning for authentic connection
In an increasingly digital world, people yearn for genuine human connection.
Thanks to swift Unifor mobilization and outreach to city councillors, the City of Toronto City Council has voted to study the impacts of expanding holiday shopping exemptions.
A motion to amend the Toronto Municipal Code that would expand the number of designated retail businesses operating with “tourist area exemption” status, allowing retailers to open on statutory holidays. This change would cause retail workers to lose their statutory holidays.
Unifor Local 1291 has secured a new four-year contract with Ariva, a division of Domtar.
“Congratulations to the bargaining committee for negotiating a deal that addresses our members’ top priorities,” said Local 1291 President Adam Doran.
“Our local benefits from gains in the pulp and paper bargaining pattern negotiated by units in Dryden and Espanola. However, a challenge we had to face was the employer hesitating to make changes with us that might set a precedent.”
The conflict between the 1,500 Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) members and their employer WestJet has reached a crucial point. Unifor’s 315,000 members stand alongside these sisters, brothers, and friends in their efforts to improve wages and scheduling practices through a long bargaining process and a refusal from the company to meet their demands.
As Unifor prepares for its 10-year anniversary, celebrating Canadian Council this August, we encourage local unions to submit resolutions to bring before delegates at the council.
“This is an opportunity for locals to submit resolutions that bring some of their local issues to a national stage,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
“Unifor is made up of locals across the country that come together to update each other on important issues their members are facing in the workplace and Canadian Council is a chance to bring those issues to the floor.”
“Don't mourn my death, fight for the living.” This is the challenge that Bud Jimmerfield passed on to all Unifor brothers and sisters prior to his death.
WINDSOR—Urgent action is required by the federal government so that construction can resume on the five billion Stellantis EV battery plant in Windsor, Ontario.
“It’s outrageous that tens of thousands of jobs are in jeopardy due to a failure to come to terms on government investment,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “The situation is as serious as it gets. This needs to be resolved immediately to preserve workers’ livelihoods and construction of the EV plant can resume.”
Unifor marks the 2023 International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOTB) with solidarity for people of all sexual and gender diversities.
Every year on May 17, the IDAHOBIT is celebrated globally. The campaign aims to increase awareness of the persistent discrimination, violence, and marginalization faced by individuals with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics, including two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and intersex (2SLGBTQI) peoples.
In celebration of Personal Support Worker Day on May 19, 2023 Unifor salutes the contributions of the thousands of Unifor members who work as Personal Support Workers (PSWs) in Ontario.
We are especially proud to recognize PSW’s who were on the front lines putting themselves in danger ever day by providing care for others during the pandemic.
WINDSOR—Unifor is calling on the federal government and Stellantis to deliver on commitments to a new Windsor EV battery plant to safeguard Canadian auto manufacturing jobs.
Join in celebrating Unifor’s 10-year anniversary Canadian Council in Halifax, N.S. this August.
The official call letter has gone out and registration is open for locals to register members online to attend before the deadline of July 19.
There is no registration fee for the Canadian Council, but advance sign-up is required via the online registration system. Delegates’ usernames and passwords will be sent directly to the local union president in a separate email.
We all know the value of a good job. For tradespeople and labourers at the Halifax Shipyard, members of Unifor MWF Local 1, they know all too well how fortunate they are to be looking at 30 years of steady work ahead.
The 2022 John T. Ryan National Award for Metal Mines for the best safety performance in Canada was awarded to Unifor Local 598 workers at the Glencore Nickel Rim South Mine in Sudbury.
"Achieving the best safety performance in Canada is an accomplishment to be proud of. Safety as we know requires everyday vigilance. And it should always come before profit," said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. "Local 598 is setting a standard for the whole industry."
WATERLOO—Wage increases and benefits enhancements are highlights of a new collective agreement ratified today by members of Unifor Local 4304 working at Grand River Transit.
“Unifor members in the transit sector have done a terrific job of serving the public. They negotiated very hard to get improvements in their contracts,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “I’m proud of Local 4304 and congratulate them on this progress.”
The ratification means service will resume on May 11, 2023.
WINDSOR—More than 600 Unifor Local 444 members at TRQSS, a seatbelt manufacturing plant in Windsor, ratified their first contract this weekend making significant economic and equity gains.
WATERLOO—Unifor Local 4304 members working at Grand River Transit will vote Tuesday, May 9 on a tentative agreement signed on the weekend with the employer.
Service will resume May 11 if the contract is ratified by the Local 4304 membership.
Details within the agreement will be available to the public following ratification.
More than 60 Unifor activists rallied on May 5 in front of the Résidences Floralies Lachine in Lachine, Que. in support of the workers at the seniors' residence.
Unifor learned recently that the long-term care home was forcing residents to relocate, after seven months of direct management by the Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et de Services Sociaux (CIUSSS) West Island of Montreal.
Because of the relocation, the company announced there will be layoffs impacting the 130 Floralies Lachine employees.
As we celebrate Nurses Week 2023, we take a moment to recognize and appreciate the hard work, dedication, and sacrifice of nurses across Canada.
Unifor represents 4,000 Registered or Licensed Practical Nurses (RPNs/LPNs) and Registered Nurses (RN) who work in hospitals, private and municipal long-term care homes.
Now, more than ever, we have come to realize the critical role that nurses play in keeping our communities healthy and safe.
Re: Proposed Amendment to Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 510-5
We are writing to you on an urgent matter.
It has come to our attention that the City’s Economic and Community Development Committee has recommended amendments to the Toronto Municipal Code, expanding the number of designated retail businesses operating with ‘tourist area exemption’ status. The stated objective is to expand the number of retailers allowed to open for business on statutory holidays.
TORONTO – The 350 members of Unifor Local 531 have overwhelmingly ratified their first collective agreement with WestJet at Pearson International Airport in Toronto (YYZ).
“Congratulations to our WestJet members and the bargaining committee,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
DELTA B.C.—Wage increases and improvements to scheduling are highlights of the first union contract ratified April 30 by workers at the new casino in Delta.
Workers at the Cascades Casino formed a union with Unifor Local 114 earlier this year.
Unifor Local 707-A member Tanika Chaisson has a passion for social and economic justice.
“There’s so much important work the government has to do to improve public services for the people of Alberta,” said Chaisson. “The Danielle Smith government simply isn’t doing it. In fact, it’s doing the opposite: it is starving health care and attacking our basic rights at work. We need to change the government.”
Unifor members battled with a steep and destabilizing increase in attacks on drag artists and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community while building connections at the National Pride Conference, held April 28-30 in Port Elgin, Ont.
WATERLOO—Unifor Local 4304 members working at Grand River Transit (GRT) began strike action early on May 1 after rejecting the tentative agreement negotiated with the transit service.
“It’s clear the employer has not met the expectations of transit workers,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “Local 4304 members provide key services for the region and expect wages and benefits to keep pace with economic growth.”
No bargaining meetings with the employer are currently scheduled.
TORONTO – The 350 members of Unifor Local 531 have reached their first tentative deal with WestJet at Pearson International Airport in Toronto.
“A first contract sets the base from which we bargain in the future and WestJet members have worked hard to reach this tentative agreement,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “By joining Unifor, WestJet members have gained a strong voice to improve their working conditions and can now do so through collective bargaining.”
