Bargaining

WINNIPEG—Manitoba Hydro Utility Service’s management’s refusal to grant the public sector pattern wage increases has led to an overwhelming strike vote at Unifor Local 681.

“If Manitoba Hydro intends to widen compensation gaps within its workforce, we’re going to have a problem,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Local 681 members will have the support of Unifor members from coast to coast as they pursue a fair contract.”

Wage increases, benefits enhancements, and gratuity improvements are key highlights of a new three-year collective agreement with the W Hotel ratified on June 1, 2024 by members of Unifor Local 112.

“Unifor members are standing up to employers and negotiating excellent contracts in the hospitality sector,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “The standard set at the W Hotel today will help form the basis for upcoming hotel negotiations in Toronto.”

Health care workers, members of Unifor Local 598 and community supporters rallied outside Jarlette Health Services in Midland, Ontario demanding fair wages and for the employer to come back to the bargaining table and negotiate a collective agreement. 

The members of Kingston Access Bus, Local 4266 in Kingston, Ont. have ratified their new agreement by 92%.

“Congratulations to the bargaining committee for their hard work to support our skilled and hard-working transit members who perform incredibly important duties in the community, day in and out,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. 

“Thank you to the members, who have been vocal about their support to Unifor’s accomplishments during this round of bargaining.”

MONTREAL/TORONTO- Unifor members employed by Expertech, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bell Canada Enterprises Inc., ratified new collective agreements following several weeks of voting in Quebec and Ontario.  The new agreements cover approximately 730 members who work in clerical and technical capacities. 

Holding placards that read, “Bus or plane, Unifor scope is still the same,” more than 50 Unifor members and supporting unions and aviation organizations rallied at Pearson International Airport on June 5 to protect their scope work after Air Canada recently hired a bus company to shuttle passengers to different airports.

KANATA, ONT.—Unifor and the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) sent a joint letter to the Canadian Safety Nuclear Commission (CNSC) today, expressing their concerns about Best Theratronics using unqualified managers and non-union workers as scab labour to handle safety-sensitive equipment at its Kanata, Ont. facility, including those containing radioactive material.

WILLIAMS LAKE—Unifor members at Local 3018 were forced to take strike action at the Gibraltar copper mine on June 1, 2024 after the company refused to negotiate basic terms of a new collective agreement.

“A fair collective agreement, with wages and benefits that reflect the significant contributions of our members, is not too much to ask. The disruption that began earlier today is entirely the company's doing,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.  

TORONTO—Workers at Nestle have ratified a new three-year contract today with the chocolate maker that has significant bumps in wages, pensions, and health benefits, ending a strike that began on May 5.

“Congratulations to the bargaining committee for their tenacious work in securing this deal, which protects members from precarious work and provides them and their families some cushion from the affordability crisis we’re in,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

PRESCOTT, ONT.—The members at Unifor Local 4266 who work at First Student bus in Prescott, Ont., near Kingston, have unanimously voted for their first contract.

“Congratulations to the bargaining committee for its work in this milestone contract,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.