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.
More than 50 workers at Cancarb in Medicine Hat have joined Unifor after a certification vote on February 26 and 27, 2024. They will join the amalgamated Unifor Local 4050.
“We are thrilled to welcome Cancarb workers to Unifor,” said Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle. “We’re going to get to work right away on a contract to secure compensation and improve working conditions.”
Unifor is actively campaigning to ensure Canada’s efforts to mitigate methane emissions along Canada’s natural gas infrastructure relies on good union jobs.
On February 20, Unifor National President Lana Payne wrote to federal Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson to detail recommendations for reducing methane leaks across the natural gas supply chain. The letter augments a written submission to the federal government’s regulatory body earlier in 2024.
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, P.C., M.P. Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
Minister Wilkinson,
On behalf of Unifor, Canada’s largest private sector union representing 315,000 members in every sector of the economy, including nearly 15,000 members working in oil and gas extraction, natural gas distribution, electric utilities, nuclear energy, and petroleum refineries, I am writing with recommendations to support the reduction of methane leakage.
On February 7 Unifor members refining and distributing petroleum products at the Shell refinery in Sarnia ratified a new three-year contract with a 12% wage increase over the life of the agreement.
The contract also includes improved vacation benefits and more flexibility to bank statutory holidays.
Finish Product Specialists will receive a $5,000 bonus. A one-time lump sum of $500 will be awarded to Lab Incumbents.
Province of Ontario’s investment supports made in Canada low-carbon energy solution
Refurbishing units at Pickering Nuclear Generating Station is a win for Ontario’s energy workers, the economy, and a net-zero future, says the Society of Professional Engineers and Associates (SPEA-Unifor).
CALGARY—Representatives from Unifor’s energy local unions have ratified the tentative agreement that establishes the pattern for more than 7,500 members of the union’s National Energy Program.
“I congratulate the bargaining committee on setting this new pattern for our members across the energy sector,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “It was a difficult round of bargaining making it all the more important for locals to work together in order to make progress for our energy members.”
The national bargaining committee for Unifor's energy and chemical bargaining program pattern negotiations with Suncor has reported positive developments in recent meetings with the company.
A tentative agreement has been signed with Suncor. The deal now goes for review by the program’s advisory committee. Local unions and bargaining units participating in the program will send delegates to vote at a ratification conference on November 13, 2023.
Wage increases and improved benefits are highlights of a newly ratified collective agreement between Unifor Local 1999 and Mr. Furnace in St. Catharines.
“My congratulations to Local 1999 members for their commitment to resisting concessions and bargaining a fair contract,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President.
The three-year agreement includes wage increases of 8.5% over the term plus a $300 signing bonus. Task rates were increased, paid bereavement leave improved, and the recall period was doubled.
Accessibility
Documents can be requested in alternative/accessible formats by emailing communications@unifor.org
