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AGS Automotive workers ratify new contract after strike

Unifor members at A.G Simpson Automotive Inc. in Oshawa, Ont. ratified a new collective agreement after a two-day strike. The three-year contract includes substantial wage increases, along with health care benefit improvements and enhancements to the pension programs.

“Congratulations to the dedicated bargaining committee for securing this contract”, said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “At a time when workers are rising up and demanding better, this agreement shows us what is possible when workers stand together.”

Industrial Policy for a Thriving Canadian Economy: Unifor’s recommendations for the 2024 federal budget

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.

Unifor encourages Manitobans to ‘Downgrade the PCs’

WINNIPEG—Voters can turn the tables on the PC government that downgraded hospital emergency rooms by electing a new government on October 3, says Unifor.

“The PCs’ abysmal record on healthcare and other vital services shows they’re not worthy of re-election,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “They downgraded vital emergency rooms, now voters can downgrade the PCs.”

Unifor member taking on Heather Stefanson in Lakeside

Unifor Local 830 member Dan Rugg is seeking to represent the voters of Lakeside in the provincial general election scheduled for October 3, 2023.

Rugg says his commitment to improving his community has drawn him to public service, including serving on the Elie council in the Municipality of Cartier, west of Winnipeg.

Government, employers ignore administrative professionals

Unions representing thousands of administrative professionals working in the health care system throughout Nova Scotia have spent six weeks trying to get bargaining dates from the employers and government, but they refuse to come to the table. 

These hard-working administrative professionals now have a contract that expired almost three years ago. The employer and government have offered these workers a deal that amounts to a wage decrease, while other groups of health care workers have been offered much more.

Unifor members at IMP Aerospace deliver unprecedented strike mandate

September 11, 2023

HALIFAX-Unifor members at IMP Aerospace delivered an unprecedented strike mandate of 97.6%, showing their determination to make strong gains in upcoming contract negotiations.

“The members at IMP are sending a clear message with this strike vote that they need to see real improvements,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “The overwhelming support for a strike and support for their bargaining committee is important and shows these workers are ready to fight for a fair contract.”

Unifor fights Air Canada Jazz layoffs in Newfoundland and Labrador

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.”

Unifor members lead rally to oppose changes to Policy 713

Unifor members rallied to oppose changes to New Brunswick’s Policy 713, the province's gender-identity policy in schools. Recent updates to the policy require teachers to obtain parental consent before using the chosen name and pronoun of a child under 16, forcing teachers to potentially ‘out’ students who aren’t ready or willing to do so.

Atlantic Regional Director Jennifer Murray was in Fredericton on Sunday, Sept. 3 to support therally organized by Unifor Local 4504 member Nicki Lyons-MacFarlane, a standing committee member of the Atlantic Regional Council.

Unifor members organizing for change in Manitoba election

WINNIPEG—Workers across Manitoba will be volunteering for progressive candidates to ensure the Heather Stefanson government is not re-elected on October 3, 2023.

“Workers and their families cannot afford more PC health care cuts and emergency room chaos,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “Working people are ready for change.”

Unifor has begun a member-to-member campaign to help inform workers about the Brian Pallister-Heather Stefanson government’s record of healthcare privatization and growing poverty.

Unifor bands together from coast-to-coast in solidarity for Labour Day

Now is the time to fight for workers and to build worker power.

Unifor members, leaders and supporters marched the streets of downtown Toronto in the 151st annual Labour Day parade – themed "Year of the union" – and celebrated Unifor’s 10th anniversary.

“Ten years ago, Unifor was born as a radical act of hope and solidarity and we have not stopped fighting since,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne in her speech. “It’s been incredible. Right now, in this world, what a time it is to fight for working people.”

Unifor and Victoria Clipper reach tentative agreement

VICTORIA—A Labour Day weekend strike has been averted after the bargaining committees of Unifor Local 114 and the Victoria Clipper ferry signed a tentative agreement.

“Congratulations to the bargaining committee and the members who mobilized quickly to get the word out on both sides of the border about their struggle for a fair contract,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director. 

Details of the agreement will be available upon ratification of the contract. A vote is scheduled for Wednesday, September 6, 2023.

RailLine, Volume 10, Issue 13

Unifor’s Local 101R Ratify Tentative Agreement With Toronto Terminals Railway

Vancouver, British Columbia, Unifor Local 101R-60 members ratified the tentative agreement reached with Toronto Terminals Railway (TTR) on August 24, 2023.

Unifor represents approximately seventy (70) engineers and conductors working at TTR at Delta Port and South Shore located Vancouver, BC.

Unifor reaches tentative agreement with Metro

TORONTO— A tentative agreement has been reached between Unifor and Metro, following a month-long strike action by 3,700 frontline grocery store workers.

“Our union was able to negotiate this new tentative agreement due to the unwavering commitment of our Metro grocery members who were united in their goal to improve their wages and working conditions,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “I commend the workers and the bargaining committee for their solidarity and also the customers who supported them during this difficult time.”

Unifor members ratify new contract with Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

VANCOUVER—Major wage increases and more manageable workloads are key features of a new three-year contract with the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver ratified today by Unifor members.

“Unifor members make the Hotel Vancouver one of the most desirable hotels in the country,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “They have negotiated an outstanding collective agreement that leads the industry and helps set a standard for upcoming negotiations elsewhere in the sector.”

Unifor to announce Detroit Three target company

Media Advisory

TORONTO— Unifor will announce the union’s Detroit Three (D3) target company in the current round of negotiations with Ford, General Motors and Stellantis at a media conference today at 1 p.m. at the Sheraton Centre in Toronto.

Media interested in attending in person or via the conference call must register in advance by emailing @email.

Unifor Detroit Three members deliver overwhelming strike mandate

TORONTO— Unifor members at Ford Motor Company, General Motors and Stellantis have delivered overwhelming strike mandates, authorizing their bargaining committees to take job action, if needed, to achieve fair collective agreements with the Detroit Three (D3). 

Unifor members ratify new contract with Windsor Salt

WINDSOR—The 192-day strike at Windsor Salt has come to an end after members of Unifor Local 240 and 1959 ratified a new five-year contract with the employer this afternoon.

“Determination on the picket line and rock-solid support from local unions and the community at large helped us achieve a contract our members could overwhelmingly support,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President.

The new collective agreements include wage increases of up to $4.60/hour over the term, a $3,000 ratification bonus, shift premium increases, and a variety of benefits enhancements.

Unifor and Windsor Salt reach tentative agreement

WINDSOR—A tentative agreement has been signed between bargaining committees representing members of Unifor Local 1959 and 240 and the employer, Windsor Salt.

The union began legal strike action 189 days ago on February 17, 2023.

More details will be made available after the ratification vote on Sunday, August 27.

This round of bargaining is the first since Windsor Salt was purchased by Stone Canyon Industries in 2021, a U.S-based private holding firm.

Support Fire Relief in Northwest Territories and British Columbia

Fires are ravaging the Northwest Territories and British Columbia, upending lives and leaving thousands in urgent need of help. Families are being forced to evacuate with little notice, and the scale of devastation is immense.

“In moments of crisis, our collective strength shines brightest when we come together to support those in need,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “As part of the Unifor community, our solidarity and compassion empower us to make a lasting impact during times of crisis.”

Canadian Council celebrates a decade of activism

Canadian Council kicks off Unifor’s 10-year anniversary celebrations

The opening day of Unifor’s 2023 Canadian Council in Halifax, Nova Scotia, was nothing short of awe-inspiring. Delegates were officially welcomed by Gary Joseph, Indigenous Elder, to Mi’kma’ki, to the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People.