Even though the media industry continues to struggle with job losses, cutbacks and closures, a hopeful future where media workers and journalists continue to fight for their industry prevailed at the 30th annual Unifor Media Council from Sept. 13 to 15 in Port Elgin, Ont.
SCARBOROUGH, ONT.–The 180 members of Unifor Local 303 walked off the job Sept. 14, just after midnight after their employer, Trench Ltd. refused to negotiate sufficient wage and benefit improvements.
“We stand by the bargaining committee and our members as they continue to fight for the needs that matter most to them,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “These are workers who are responsible for providing materials for public sector electrical utilities and they deserve good jobs and fair wages. We won’t stop until the employer recognizes that.”
HALIFAX—Members of the Health Care bargaining Council at Nova Scotia Health (NSH) and IWK Health Centre voted today to accept a tentative agreement brought forward by their bargaining committee by 79%.
TORONTO—Workers at Walmart’s Mississauga warehouse have voted to join Unifor, Canada’s largest private sector union. It is Walmart’s first warehouse to unionize in Canada.
"This victory is the result of uniting around a belief in workplace democracy and better working conditions,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Walmart workers in Mississauga stood up for their rights, and we are excited to get to work on their first collective agreement.”
HALIFAX—In an historic move, the Nova Scotia government has taken a leadership role in the awareness and prevention of intimate partner violence (IPV) declaring IPV an epidemic. The passing of legislation the same day it was tabled is both a symbolic and tangible demonstration of the ability of government to focus fully to protect and support Nova Scotians.
The new three-year agreement includes significant improvements to wages, benefits including vacation, health and safety language, a new grievance procedure, paid education leave, and new Women’s Advocate and Racial Justice Advocate positions.
KANATA, ONT.—Unifor members on strike at Best Theratronics held a rally today outside of the Kanata facility, continuing to stand in solidarity to demand their employer stop violating laws and return to the bargaining table.
“Nothing makes my blood boil more than when employers threaten workers’ livelihoods, blatantly violate labour laws, and refuse to respect workers right to a union. This is Canada. Workers have rights,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
Unifor understands that Local Unions are deeply involved in the grievance and arbitration system while representing their members. Part of this involves research, and access to available databases can be very costly.
That’s why the union has teamed up with Lancaster House to offer locals access to an annual subscription to their First Resort service at a reduced price, as a tool to help with the arbitration process.
KANATA, ON. – Unifor will hold a solidarity rally tomorrow, Sept. 11, at Best Theratronics, a nuclear facility in Kanata that manufactures medical equipment, as the union’s frustration grows with the company owner’s refusal to bargain a new collective agreement.
MISSISSAUGA—Workers at Walmart’s warehouse facility will begin voting to join Unifor Tuesday, September 10.
“Hundreds of workers at Walmart are demanding safer work, better pay, and improved benefits,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “A vote for the union this week is the best way for workers to get a level playing field with a corporate giant.”
INGERSOLL— Master bargaining between Unifor and General Motors opened today on behalf of Local 88 members employed at the CAMI Assembly plant and Battery Assembly facility in Ingersoll, Ontario.
Workers at electrical manufacturer Trench Ltd. in Scarborough, Ont. have made a clear decision to strike if a deal isn’t made by midnight next Saturday.
“The members have expressed their strong support for the bargaining committee by giving them a 99% strike mandate,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
“Strike action is something our union doesn’t take lightly, but we will fight for the needs of our members.”
More than 200 participants gathered in Unifor’s Family Education Centre in Port Elgin, Ont. for this year’s Retired Workers Council from Sept. 1 to 6 to celebrate Labour Day and discuss political issues.
VICTORIA—Wages will increase at least 16.3% over the next three years thanks to a new collective agreement ratified this evening by members of Unifor Local 114 at the Hotel Grand Pacific.
“Unifor members are setting a high standard in the hospitality sector,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “We look forward to building on what Local 114 has achieved at the Hotel Grand Pacific.”
The Council of Health Care Unions reached a tentative agreement with the IWK and the Nova Scotia Health Authority following 15 days of bargaining over the span of many months.
The deal was reached at 4:30 a.m. Friday, August 30 following a marathon round of bargaining.
Hundreds of Unifor members, activists, allies, friends and family turned out for the 2024 Toronto Labour Day Parade to celebrate Unifor's incredible victories for working class people and show that when we fight, we win!
TORONTO—Workers at Walmart in Mississauga are one step closer to forming a strong union in their workplace after Unifor filed an application today to the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB).
"Workers at Walmart deserve greater job security, health and safety protections, and fair wages,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Today is an important step towards these goals.”
Unifor participated in Labour Day parades and events across Canada today, sending the strong message that this is the time to fight for workers, whether it’s at bargaining tables, on picket lines or in the streets.
In her uplifting speech in Toronto, Unifor National President Lana Payne welcomed the thousands of new members who joined the union since last Labour Day.
“This Labour Day comes at a time when workers are organizing and fighting for justice everywhere, at bargaining tables, on picket lines, and in the streets.” Watch Unifor National President Lana Payne’s message for Labour Day 2024.
Unifor members and community supporters united this week at a solidarity action to bolster Local 1541 members on strike at Best Theratronics since May 1, 2024.
“It’s been 118 days too long. We’re here to send a message to this employer that we’re here to fight,” Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi told striking workers and supporters at the action.
Workers at Flex-N-Gate Seeburn in Beaverton, Ontario are new members of Unifor. More than 100 employees at the independent auto parts supplier voted to join the union after a launching a campaign in June.
Today, Unifor leadership met with Ontario Minister of Labour David Piccini and senior ministerial staff to update the government on the ongoing dispute at Wescast Industries in Wingham, Ontario. The meeting was held as part of Unifor’s continuing efforts to resolve the dispute between the union and the company’s owners, Bohong Industries Group in China over approximately $10 million in unpaid severance and termination pay owed to nearly 200 workers.
TORONTO – Unifor supported the International Transport Federation (ITF)’s Safe Rates campaign at rallies today at DHL locations across Canada to send a strong message to the transport industry and federal government – safe rates save lives.
VANCOUVER—Members of Unifor Local 433 have won their fight for fair wage increases and safer working conditions, ending a three-week long strike at Vancouver’s Residence Inn.
“Fighting back works,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Unifor members at the Residence Inn have demonstrated again that union solidarity can help win significant contract gains.”
TORONTO—Unifor welcomes the federal government decision to impose an additional 100% tariff on all new energy vehicles imported from China as well as a new 25% tariff on imports of steel and aluminum.
MONTREAL–Retired workers – and former members of the union Unifor – who worked at the plant on Dickson Street in Montreal gathered to mark the sad anniversary of the bankruptcy of MABE Canada, which resulted in major losses for them. The rally was held in front of the plant at 5778 Notre-Dame Street East in Montreal.
TORONTO—Unifor members who work at DHL and their supporters will hold rallies across Canada on Tuesday, August 27 in support of the International Transport Federation’s Safe Rates campaign week.
MONTREAL–Unifor will be holding a gathering to mark the 10th anniversary of the closure of MABE, after it filed for bankruptcy and workers lost their group insurance and life insurance and 22% of their pension.
“For the past 10 years, Unifor has stood by the retirees and former employees of MABE in their fight for respect and justice,” said Unifor Quebec Director Daniel Cloutier. “The employer has tried to wear them down, but they are a resilient group and they can count on Unifor’s unwavering support.”
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