Jobs and the Economy

Op-ed originally published in the Toronto Star on Oct. 4, 2023

Lana Payne and Rob Wildeboer

The Bank of Canada has raised the interest rate 10 times in 18 months. It’s the steepest rate hiking campaign in modern history. It’s time to hold fire.

The fact is inflation has come down quite dramatically in that time period from 8.1% in June of last year to 4% this August. Remove mortgage interest and volatile energy costs from the data and recent inflation is tracking at about 2.3% - let’s face it, the battle is pretty much over.

TORONTO – Unifor is calling on the federal government and industry stakeholders to support changes to improve conditions for road transport drivers and make roads safer for all drivers.

“Low pay and unsafe conditions force drivers to take enormous risks in order to make ends meet. While this might make sense for the narrow interests of corporate shareholders, it is a disaster for everyone else,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

Canada’s largest private sector union calls for higher wages to address stark affordability challenges impacting families and joins the federal government’s call to stabilize food prices.

While Canadians grapple with an affordability crisis, economic uncertainty and housing instability, the House of Commons’ Finance Committee is consulting for the 2024 federal budget.

Unifor’s priorities for next year’s federal budget are that the federal government think big and build big to shift the country, address the affordability crisis, stabilize the health care system, and ensure no worker is left behind.

TORONTO – Unifor is fighting Air Canada’s decision to lay off more than 50 Jazz members in Newfoundland and Labrador as the company makes changes to its services in Gander, Happy Valley-Goose Bay and Deer Lake.

“Unifor is committed to fighting vigorously for our aviation members at Jazz,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

“Companies like Air Canada can’t just be cavalier about bringing in new contracts and expect our union to sit by on the sidelines. Our members are dedicated to their jobs and deserve respect.”

TORONTO-Unifor Local 4209 members were told to simply not report for work as YRC Freight Canada’s U.S.-based parent company, Yellow, files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.