Bargaining

DUNCAN, B.C.—Transdev transit workers have voted down tentative offers that failed to close the wage gap with B.C. transit counterparts in Victoria and Vancouver. In the same vote, held August 7, they also opposed binding arbitration. This follows last month’s rejection of the provincial mediator’s recommendations.

The strike, which began February 8, centres on securing fair wages in line with other transit workers across the province.

KITIMAT, B.C.—Wages, improvements to benefits, and pension adjustments are the highlights of a new collective agreement ratified by Unifor Local 2301 members during voting on July 25–29.

“Unifor members at Rio Tinto are responsible for the safe and productive operations of a key facility in Kitimat,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Congratulations to Local 2301 on making key gains in their new contract.”

WINDSOR—Wage protections, paid holidays, and improved benefits are highlights of a new three-year collective agreement reached with the Best Western Plus Waterfront in Windsor, ending a two-month strike.

“It was very important for these workers and Unifor to take a stand at a hotel where members were facing rollbacks. They stood together and stood firm,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Members across the country rallied behind these determined hospitality workers to support their fight for fairness.”

Unifor Local 8300 members working in environmental, housekeeping and laundry services at Compass Group for the Hillel Lodge long-term care facility in Ottawa have ratified their first collective agreement. Members will see substantial wage increases as well as an additional statutory holiday in this two-year agreement.

CHATHAM, ON—Unifor Local 127 members at Dajcor Aluminum began strike action after the union learned the company was planning to remove equipment and bring scab labour into the facility.

“Any attempt to remove equipment from a Unifor facility or bring in scabs will always be met with the swiftest possible response from our union,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “This is a clear case of escalation that calls for action. Our members have every right to defend their jobs, their plant, and their community from these deceitful tactics.”

WINDSOR—Unifor members at NextStar Energy have voted 88% in favour of ratifying their first collective agreement, marking a historic milestone for workers at Canada’s first large-scale electric vehicle battery cell manufacturing facility. 

“Bargaining a first collective agreement is never easy, and this one took place in an exceptionally difficult economic and political climate,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “The work of our bargaining committee at NextStar Energy ensures that as the electric vehicle sector grows, good union jobs grow with it.”

MONTREAL – Members of Unifor Council 4000 and Local 100 have ratified a new collective agreement with VIA Rail.

“This agreement delivers meaningful gains for our members at VIA Rail and protects the critical work they do serving passengers across Canada,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “We fought hard to secure improvements that matter to our members and to protect good jobs for the future.”

Agreement Ratified with VIA Rail

Dear Members,

Unifor Council 4000 and Local 100 are pleased to announce that members have voted to ratify a new collective agreement with VIA Rail. 

This agreement, reached after a challenging round of bargaining, represents meaningful progress on wages, benefits, pensions, and job security for more than 2,000 Unifor members across Canada.

TORONTO—CN Tower hospitality workers have voted to ratify a tentative agreement with their employer, bringing a nearly two-week labour dispute to an end.

The agreement was reached with Canada Lands Company, the federal Crown corporation that owns and operates the CN Tower. Members of Unifor Local 4271 voted to approve the deal in a ratification vote held earlier today.

VANCOUVER—The B.C. Labour Relations Board (LRB) has sided with Unifor and awarded union certification to workers at the Amazon facility in Delta, B.C.

“Workers at Amazon organized against very difficult odds, but they’ve slayed the giant,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “This ruling sends a clear message to companies that bullying workers will only backfire in the end.”