On May 1st, Unifor joins unions across Canada and around the globe to mark International Workers’ Day – a day where we celebrate workers and the labour movement – from our collective victories to our common struggles.
Unifor celebrates Asian Heritage Month, that occurs annually each May. Together we honour and commemorate the culture and history of Asian communities in Canada.
TORONTO–Unifor expects to achieve the wage increases and benefit improvements awarded to Ontario OCHU-CUPE and SEIU Healthcare members by Arbitrator William Kaplan in a recent decision.
BRAMPTON—Fifty workers remain on strike this week at the flagship headquarters of MDA Space while the company refuses to continue negotiations and resolve the labour dispute.
With a growing attack on labour rights and democracy in many places of the world, trade union leaders with the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) gathered in London, U.K. in April to discuss common struggles, organizing and strategic campaigns to win for workers.
Unifor National President Lana Payne and Atlantic Regional Director Jennifer Murray represented Unifor.
As the Canadian Air Navigation Specialists Association (CANSA) at Unifor Local 1016 continued to negotiate with NAV Canada on the Maintenance of Activities in the event of a legal strike and/or lock-out to protect the Canadian travelling public, the company has advised the local it plans to use scab labour.
April 28 is the Day of Mourning, a day to remember workers who have died or become injured because of their work. It is also a time to renew our commitment to building safe workplaces and fighting for the safety of all workers.
Close to 1,000 workers in Canada die each year in workplace incidents.
This is a staggering statistic, but those who are lost must be more than one number among many.
WINDSOR – Unifor members at GreenShield Canada look forward to returning to work after ratifying a new three-year contract by 92% in Windsor and 91% in Toronto with the company, ending a strike that began on March 1.
“I am so very proud of this bargaining committee and these members for standing up and fighting to protect good jobs for women for today and into the future,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “We can’t advance equality in this country without the power of trade union women fighting on all fronts.”
Unifor members at the Courtyard by Marriott and the W Toronto hotel have voted overwhelmingly to strike if a new collective agreement cannot be reached next month.
“Hospitality sector workers are feeling the pinch of the rising cost of living in one of the most expensive housing markets in the country,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “It is critical that collective agreements keep up with rising costs so workers don’t fall behind.”
OTTAWA –Unifor recognizes the federal government for delivering a budget that pushes social progress and jobs in the face of economic inequities, relentless affordability pressures and stubbornly high interest rates.
“Working people in Canada have been struggling with an affordability crisis, exacerbated by the Bank of Canada’s stubborn refusal to lower interest rates,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
VANCOUVER—Unifor is temporarily withdrawing its applications to the B.C. Labour Relations Board (BCLRB) to represent workers at two Amazon fulfilment centres in Metro Vancouver due to a suspiciously high number of reported employees.
WINNIPEG—Unifor Local 144 members at Griffin Wheel – a Winnipeg foundry that produces train wheels – have ratified a new four-year contract, ending a 19-day lockout.
ST. JOHN’S–Unifor reached a tentative agreement with Loblaw-owned Dominion stores in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Details of the tentative agreement will first be shared with Dominion members of Unifor Local 597 in a series of ratification meetings to be scheduled in the coming days.
Unifor represents more than 1,600 Dominion grocery workers at 11 stores across the island of Newfoundland.
The Canadian Air Navigation Specialists Association (CANSA) at Unifor Local 1016 met with Nav Canada with the assistance of the FMCS Conciliator for a third time on April 10 and 11 without any progress towards reaching a fair deal. The parties are now at an impasse as conciliation ended on April 12.
TORONTO - Unifor members employed by Expertech, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bell Canada Enterprises Inc., expressed overwhelming support for a strike mandate.
Technicians supported the measure by 93.4%, while clerical workers voted 81% in favour of strike action. The vote, which achieved a remarkable 86% turnout, demonstrates the willingness of workers to stand up for their rights.
OTTAWA – In his appearance before the House of Commons Heritage Committee, Bell CEO Mirko Bibic failed to justify cutting thousands of jobs while Bell Canada Enterprises Inc. (BCE) increased their dividends to a record-high $3.7 billion in 2023.
Unifor Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi and President of Unifor Local 975 Doug Carter testified on April 8 to the Standing Committee on the Interior about contracting out and methane leaks in Ontario’s gas sector that result in increased costs to consumers.
“The Ontario government has a unique chance to contain household gas prices increases, fight climate change, and protect good jobs at the same time. It’s a win-win for workers and Ontario families,” said Hashi.
Unifor and its predecessor unions have bargained a national pattern in the energy and chemical sector since 1965. Over the last year, many members identified ideas for updating or modernizing the process, and Unifor’s energy and chemical sector council convened a meeting in Calgary during April 9–11 to amend the program.
Quebec Director Daniel Cloutier opened the meeting with remarks that described how profitable the sector is in 2024, and that the national pattern should stay ambitious to ensure the workers are getting their fair share of the profits.
On April 16, 2024 we mark Equal Pay Day which is a stark reminder of the ongoing fight for gender equality in the workplace in Canada and a call to rethink how we value labour as a society.
Equal Pay Day symbolizes the average additional time it takes for women in our country to earn what men did in the previous year, highlighting the persistent gender wage gap. For many women it may take even longer to achieve equal pay.
Unifor is holding BCE Directors accountable with the unveiling of the "Meet the Board" component of its ‘Shame on Bell’ campaign, aimed at shedding light on the corporate figures behind Bell's recent wave of job cuts.
VANCOUVER—The campaign for workers at Amazon facilities in Metro Vancouver to form a union has reached a pivotal stage today after Unifor filed two applications to the B.C. Labour Relations Board (BCLRB).
“Workers at Amazon are seeking job security, better health and safety, and fair wages,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Forming a democratic union in their workplace is the path to improved conditions of work.”
Unifor is thrilled its Fund Durham Region Transit campaign propelled Durham Regional Council to reaffirm its dedication to working towards fully funding the 127% service growth needed – or 625,000 hours – for its transit system by 2032.
To: Members of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage
Dear Committee members,
We write to you today regarding Unifor’s concerns with the Bell Canada Enterprises Inc. (BCE) Board of Directors’ decision to eliminate thousands of good Canadian jobs across the country while continuing to increase shareholder dividends and payouts to its executives.
VANCOUVER—After months of signing union cards at two Metro Vancouver Amazon facilities, Unifor is ready to announce the next stage of the drive.
“Hundreds of workers at Amazon have signed union cards and talked to Unifor organizers about their hopes for safer work, better pay, and improved benefits,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “We’re excited to move to the next phase of this historic campaign.”
The Education Department delivered an 8-hour pre-apprenticeship training program for members of Unifor Local 222 working at the GM Oshawa facility. Conducted on March 23 and 24, the sessions attracted approximately 150 participants applying for apprenticeship positions negotiated in the 2023 round of auto bargaining.
We want to extend our sincerest thanks to all who participated in the recent Canadian National Translation Ltd (CNTL) strike vote, which concluded at midnight yesterday. Your active involvement is crucial to our collective bargaining efforts.
We are pleased to announce that a decisive 82% majority have voted in favour of authorizing a strike should negotiations with the employer fail to reach an agreement.
BRAMPTON—Fifty workers at MDA’s new global headquarters and space robotics centre launched strike action on April 8 following the company’s refusal to negotiate.
“Fair wages shouldn’t be light years away for workers at an incredibly profitable company such as MDA,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “The facility houses some of the most skilled workers in the industry and they deserve a fair contract that reflects their contribution to MDA’s bottom line.”
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