Health Care

Halifax-Talks that began earlier this year between the Nova Scotia Council of Nursing Unions (NSNU, NSGEU, CUPE and Unifor) and employers (Nova Scotia Health and the IWK) came to a halt earlier today, without reaching a final agreement.

After a lengthy round of negotiations, which were delayed in part due to the pandemic, the teams representing nurses who work in hospitals, satellite clinics and public health throughout the province’s acute care sector came to an impasse.

KITCHENER, ON – Front-line hospital workers marched to the office of St. Mary’s General Hospital president Mark Fam on Monday afternoon and delivered a petition calling on management to take a stand against the provincial government’s plan to privatize hospital services.

Unifor has reached a tentative agreement on behalf of ORNGE Air Ambulance Paramedics.

“With the united support of the membership behind them the bargaining committee was able to secure a tentative agreement that addresses key priorities for air ambulance paramedics,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “My congratulations to the bargaining committee for their hard work.”

HAMILTON, ON – Hundreds of hospital staff including nurses, personal support workers and lab technologists rallied today at St. Joseph’s Healthcare in Hamilton against the Ford government’s plan to contract out hospital services to private, for-profit clinics.

TORONTO-Health care workers, activists, and community organizers rallied at Queen's Park today to deliver the Ontario Health Coalition (OHC) Citizens Referendum results, which revealed an overwhelmingly strong opposition to the privatization of healthcare in Ontario. The referendum saw an impressive turnout of more than 400,000 Ontarians, with an astounding 98.4% of voters expressing their disapproval of privatization.

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.

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.

The Supreme Court of Canada has dismissed Cambie Surgeries Corporation’s attempt to overturn the BC Medicare Protection Act. 

“Canadians will always defend and work to build a health care system that is accessible, universal not for profit,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “This ruling should be a lesson that Canadians will not accept a two-tier health care system where the kind of care you get is determined by your wealth.”

Unifor Local 2488 bargaining committee and Native Child And Family Services Of Toronto have reached a tentative collective agreement.

“This was a difficult round of negotiations, but our bargaining committee stood together,” said Andrea Lawrence, President of Local 2488. “This agreement would not have been reached without the skills and solidarity of the bargaining committee.”