The second day of Unifor’s Canadian Council recognized striking and locked-out workers from Windsor Salt in Ontario, Les Autobus Venise in Quebec, Metro grocery stores in Greater Toronto Area, and Salvation Army workers in Langley, B.C.
This year’s Bud Jimmerfield Award is presented to Dave Churchill of Local 28, Unifor’s Health and Safety Policy Committee Co-Chair for Bell Technical Solutions (or BTS) Ontario.
In this position, Dave works to identify problems, risks, and hazards in what is recognized as one Canada’s most dangerous jobs. His dedication has resulted in creative ways to adapt to rapidly changing workplaces.
Resilience. Strength. We’ve come so far, but the fight doesn’t end here.
The first day of Unifor’s Canadian Council, on Aug. 18 in Halifax, N.S., brought together nearly 1,000 delegates from across the country to celebrate 10 years of solidarity since the Canadian Autoworkers’ Union (CAW) and Communications, Energy and Paperworkers (CEP) unions merged to form Unifor.
“This union was born in 2013 – as a bold act of hope and solidarity,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
Ten years of Pride doesn’t mean it was all rainbows.
At Canadian Council in Halifax this weekend, Unifor reflected on the past decade of progress of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, while acknowledging there is still much more work to do.
“I want our LGBTQI2S committees to know something: You will always have the support of this union to defend equality, to stand up for the most vulnerable in our society, to fight for safe spaces for everyone,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne in her speech on the first day of council.
Building worker power means growing ideas from the bottom up.
The Bargaining Workers’ Power National Collective Bargaining Program Summit, the special one-day conference on Aug. 17 – the day before the opening of Unifor’s Canadian Council in Halifax, N.S. – brought together nearly 1,000 members to hear the union unveil its new bargaining strategy.
“We are bargaining hard everywhere, because right now, we have a moment unlike any other,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne in her opening address.
MONTREAL- Unifor is encouraged by Ford’s commitment to invest in a battery cathode plant in Bécancour, Quebec, alongside Korean companies EcoProBM and SK On.
As the union representing 37,000 auto workers across the country, including Ford workers, Unifor welcomes this further commitment to re-invigorate Quebec’s auto industry and anchor the electric vehicle transition in Canada.
Workers at the Thunder Bay Alstom plant were shocked to learn that the federal and Ontario governments failed to officially allocate funding needed to purchase 80 subway trains for the TTC Line 2 operations and expansion. This failure caused the TTC to cancel its Request for Proposals (RFP) to purchase these vehicles. All levels of government have been actively aware of the urgency to fund this replacement for years.
Mr. Ron Gagnon
President and CEO Grand River Hospital
GRH KW Campus, 835 King St W, Kitchener, ON N2G 1G3
Dear Mr. Gagnon,
As the National President of Unifor, I am writing to address a matter of severe importance concerning the ongoing reopener bargaining negotiations for our members at Grand River Hospital.
Members, leaders and staff gathered in Moncton, NB, for Atlantic Regional Council, the union's democratic regional event to direct the union's priorities and share updates on progress and struggles.
TORONTO—Unifor officially opened contract negotiations with Ford, General Motors and Stellantis today on behalf of 18,000 union members at the Detroit Three.
After months of intense negotiations and overcoming significant challenges, the members of Local 27 have emerged victorious with a ground-breaking new contract at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC).
The deal, hailed as a triumph for workers' rights and fair compensation, encompasses a diverse array of job titles and sets new standards for wage enhancements and benefit improvements.
Today, Unifor officially opens contract talks with the Canadian divisions of the Detroit Three automakers Ford, General Motors and Stellantis. These talks will be the most consequential and closely watched in decades.
The 18,000 Unifor members covered by these collective agreements head into negotiations with similar challenges to what workers are facing across the industrial sector.
Wages haven’t kept up with rising inflation and certainly don’t reflect the recent record-setting profits of employers.
TORONTO— Unifor begins formal contract talks with Detroit Three (D3) automakers, Ford, General Motors and Stellantis on August 10, 2023.
"Our bargaining teams are ready to get to the table and start negotiations on behalf of 18,000 Unifor members covered by these contracts,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “Our mission is clear. Our members want stronger pensions, better wages and a secure future in the transition to electric vehicle manufacturing."
TORONTO— More than 250 members at Unifor Local 591-G have ended their five-day-long strike after ratifying a new collective agreement with Active Dynamics.
“Congratulations to the bargaining team at Local 591-G for so firmly representing the needs of members,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
Toronto – Unifor denounces the recent termination of Mark Chudak, President of the Society of Professional Engineers and Associates (SPEA) by SNC-Lavalin in what the union perceives as a hostile anti-union move.
Atlantic Regional Director Jennifer Murray joined Local 597 President Carolyn Wrice and Unifor members in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador to appear in a media briefing alongside NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh to talk about the affordability crisis.
Members of Local 4211 in Ontario and Local 4319 in Quebec who work for the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation have rejected the tentative agreement presented to them at a July 12 meeting.
“The members of Locals 4211 and 4319 have spoken, and I know that the bargaining committee is determined to obtain a good agreement for these workers,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “We know the job isn’t done until the membership approves the deal.”
The hard-fought negotiations between Unifor and Quinte Hospital have resulted in 98% of the membership ratifying the landmark tentative agreement.
“The agreement signifies a significant step forward for the healthcare professionals who tirelessly served their communities during the pandemic,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “The wage increases and adjustments provide much-needed recognition of members’ contributions and dedication, will boost morale and address long-standing concerns over wage disparities.”
Dryden, Ontario - About 25 members of Unifor Local 324-18 voted 100% in favour of a new 3 year contract with Community Support Centre NW at ratification meetings held on Wednesday. Community Support Centre NW is a multi-service organization providing a variety of diverse support programs for children, youth, adults and families living in Dryden, Kenora and Fort Frances.
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.
Toronto—National and local Unifor leaders and front-line Metro grocery workers will hold a media availability on Saturday, July 29, at 10:30 a.m. at a Metro store picket line.
Toronto—Frontline grocery workers at 27 Metro stores in the GTA will begin strike action on Saturday, July 29, at 12:01 a.m., with picket lines forming at each store at 8:00 a.m.
The strike action comes after Unifor Local 414 members voted to reject a tentative collective agreement.
TORONTO- In the past week, Unifor submitted three submissions to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) and the Heritage department, responding to draft regulations and Bell Media’s attempts to water down its news requirements.
Nurses represented by four unions in Nova Scotia have voted in favour of a five-year contract that will see historic improvements in wages, premiums, occupational health and safety, and work-life balance.
Voting on the agreement took place from July 21st until noon today. Approximately 87.5 per cent of those who voted cast ballots in favour of the new agreement that was reached during Conciliation.
On August 1, 1834, the Slavery Abolition Act took effect laying a pathway to freedom for enslaved people in British colonies across the globe, including here in Canada. The ongoing impact of slavery on Black and Indigenous peoples spans generations. If we are to uproot and dismantle racism, we must confront our history and the terrible legacy of exclusion, segregation, displacement, and violence.
Unifor is proud to announce that more than 700 workers from the Original Cakerie in London, Ont. will join the union following a successful organizing campaign.
“The best way to get respect and a voice at work is to organize,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
“A very warm welcome to our newest members from the Cakerie who have voted overwhelmingly to show they are ready to work collectively – through our union - for better working conditions and for a better world.”
The vote to join Unifor was held over a period of 48 hours beginning on July 24, 2023.
78 workers from Twin Lakes Terrace Long Term Care Community have voted overwhelmingly to join Unifor.
"The 78 workers at Twin Lakes Terrace Long Term Care Community have made a powerful decision to join Unifor,” Lana Payne, National President of Unifor Canada. “This organizing victory reflects the unity and determination of these new members to fight for better working conditions and a stronger, more equitable workplace."
INGERSOLL— Unifor welcomed news today that construction of a new EV battery module facility will bring 300 new jobs to the Ingersoll, Ontario General Motors (GM) CAMI Assembly Plant, with production scheduled to begin next year.
“This is good news for Unifor Local 88 members, good news for the community and good news for the economy,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “This investment is another important step in expanding Canada’s EV footprint and good union jobs for the next generation of autoworkers.”
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