Jobs and the Economy

Letter to Toronto City Council Re: Expanding tourist area exemptions for retail

Dear Councillor,

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.

Unifor’s statement of support for PSAC

During this crucial period, we stand alongside PSAC’s 155 000 sisters and brothers of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) in their conflict with the Treasury Board and the Canada Revenue Agency. We wish to express our unwavering solidarity on behalf of 315,000 Unifor members and our support for all PSAC members who are confronted with the necessity to strike in order to obtain the respect they deserve. We understand the challenges you are facing and we stand by you in this fight.

Government Inaction Leaves Air Passengers and Workers Stranded

Published in The Hill Times April 19, 2023

There’s no denying that air transport workers and travellers have been through the wringer the last three years.

During the busy travel seasons of 2022, think summer vacation and December holidays, the industry was in shambles with long line-ups, canceled flights, stranded passengers, lost luggage, and excessive security wait times.

Not Backing Down: Harvesters Hold Strong After St. John’s Rally

ST. JOHN’S, NL – Close to a thousand people gathered today in St. John’s in front of the Confederation Building, calling for action to save the province’s snow crab fishery. The Union that represents over 14,000 people in the province, including all 10,000 professional fish harvesters and some 3,000 processing workers, says that it’s the government’s responsibility to protect the people who rely on the fishery, and ensure processing companies operate in a manner that benefits the people of our province. 

Unifor demands greater transparency from Crowns Minister Don Morgan

REGINA—The Sask Party government must stop shielding information about where outsourced SaskTel jobs are heading and come clean about why Crown corporation jobs are leaving Saskatchewan, says Unifor.

“The people of Saskatchewan deserve answers about why Minister Don Morgan is so eager to send good jobs to Alberta and overseas,” said Len Poirier, Unifor National Secretary-Treasurer.

“SaskTel is owned by the people of Saskatchewan. Let’s make it do better to employ the people of Saskatchewan.”

Unifor supports clean tech and manufacturing investments, slams failure to fix EI

TORONTO- Unifor commends the 2023 federal budget’s focus on new industrial manufacturing investments but condemns inaction to fix an Employment Insurance system that fails workers.  

“Significant new incentives to attract critical manufacturing and build the necessary value chains here in Canada is very welcome news. But these incentives must include strong labour conditions. Unifor will continue to push for good union jobs and fair wages,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President.