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Unifor members at Kruger Wayagamack end strike

The 200 members of Unifor Locals 222Q and 216 at Kruger Wayagamack, a paper mill in Trois-Rivières, Que. ratified a new agreement by 92.3% (222Q) and 93.4% (216) on June 19, ending a three-week strike.

“The members of the negotiating committees are very happy with the result,” said Joël Vigeant, National Representative and Forestry Coordinator for Unifor Québec. “It's not easy to decide to go out on strike, but battles are worth fighting. We had clear expectations, and those expectations were met.”

Workers at Kruger Wayagamack began their strike on June 1.

2023 National Indigenous Peoples’ Day

June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples’ Day, a day to celebrate in the enduring culture and achievements of Indigenous peoples.

Earlier this month Unifor partnered with the Aboriginal Peoples’ Television Network to sponsor Indigenous Day Live on June 17, a cultural and artistic show with the theme “Celebrating Our Youth.” The event celebrated Indigenous youth and their important contribution to communities and their role as future leaders.

Bill 124 Appeal: Government and unions back in court

Bill 124 is back in the courts. The Government’s appeal will be heard by three judges of the Ontario Court of Appeal from June 20-23.

The Government will go first because they are bringing the appeal. That will take most of the first day. The unions will then respond on Wednesday and Thursday.

Unifor’s team is confident and prepared to defend members’ constitutional rights once again. We expect that we will have our turn on Thursday morning.

Unifor World Refugee Day Statement 2023

On June 20, we observe World Refugee Day, a crucial opportunity to raise awareness and advocate for the rights and well-being of refugees worldwide.

According to the UNHCR, the number of refugees surpassed 35 million by the end of 2022, with an additional 108.4 million people forcibly displaced from their home countries due to various reasons such as war, conflict, famine, human rights abuses, and climate change. Shockingly, the global displacement crisis now exceeds the scale seen during World War II.

Unifor National President highlights workers’ issues during meeting with BoC Governor 

Lana Payne, Unifor National President, shared the views of workers and the union during a meeting with Tiff Macklem, Governor of the Bank of Canada, earlier this week. 

Payne and the Unifor team discussed the challenges workers are facing as a result of a series of interest rate hikes including climbing mortgage and rent costs. The team stated concerns that the rising interest rate could trigger a recession, that would put people out of work or cause businesses to create fewer jobs. 

Unifor Local 2002 members overwhelmingly ratify new deal with GTAA

TORONTO – The 1,400 members of a Unifor Local 2002 unit have voted 80% in favour of ratifying a new four-year contract with the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA).

“I’m so proud of the bargaining committee at Local 2002,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “This agreement is groundbreaking in the aviation industry and sets a new standard for what we can accomplish moving forward. It is a testament to the committee, who has tirelessly represented the members’ interests throughout the negotiation process.”

Unifor uncovers SaskTel plans to send more work out of province

REGINA—For the third time this year Unifor has uncovered a privatization scheme at SaskTel that sends work out of province or to a low-bid non-union firm.

“The Sask Party government seems intent on bleeding all of the good jobs out of SaskTel,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “SaskTel was once a local, good job creator. Then Scott Moe and Brad Wall got their hands on it.”

Unifor Skilled Trades Council delegates strategize to secure and grow trades

More than 80 Skilled Trades members from across the country gathered at the Unifor Skilled Trades Council to discuss key issues and strategize to secure and grow good paying trades jobs.

“Our Skilled Trades members convene three times a year in order to stay on top of common issues and to bring forward workplace concerns that can benefit from the shared experience and wisdom of Council delegates,” said Dave Cassidy, Unifor National Skilled Chair.

Unifor reaches tentative agreement with ORNGE Air Ambulance

Unifor has reached a tentative agreement on behalf of ORNGE Air Ambulance Paramedics.

“With the united support of the membership behind them the bargaining committee was able to secure a tentative agreement that addresses key priorities for air ambulance paramedics,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “My congratulations to the bargaining committee for their hard work.”

Unifor Local 2002 members reach tentative deal with GTAA

TORONTO – The 1,400 members of a unit at Unifor Local 2002 have reached a tentative deal with the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) after over four weeks of negotiations.

“Congratulations to the bargaining committee for all their hard work,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “This agreement is a significant step forward in securing improved working conditions and benefits for our aviation members at GTAA.”

The members in this unit are in 350 different job classifications, based out of Pearson International Airport in Toronto.

Unifor members at Autobus Longueuil Inc. ratify new deal, ending strike

Unifor members at Local 510 in Quebec have ratified its collective agreement with Autobus Longueuil Inc., ending an 11-week-long strike.

The tentative agreement was reached on June 2, 2023, with the Ministry of Labour's conciliation department and the members voted to accept the deal on June 4. Subsequently, the employees returned to work the day after the ratification vote.

Letter to Premier Higgs and Minister Hogan re Changes to Policy 713

June 8, 2023

Honourable Blaine Higgs
Premier of New Brunswick

Honourable Bill Hogan
Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development

Minister Hogan and Premier Higgs, 

Response to the changes to Policy 713

New Brunswickers have come to know Policy 713 in the past month, and I have heard myself from hundreds of Unifor members who are fearful of your government’s attempt to water down this life-saving policy and drum up anti-trans sentiment through damaging public statements over the past several weeks. 

Solidarity with workers and victims of the Odisha, India rail disaster

On behalf the International Transport Federation (ITF) Canadian Coordinating Committee, representing tens of thousands of transport workers across Canada including rail, we extend our solidarity with India railway workers and unions, including All India Railwaymen's Federation (AIRF) and National Federation of Indian Railwaymen (NFIR). We are all reeling in the wake of the tragic train crash in Odisha, India – one of the worst the country has seen in a century. We send our deepest sympathies and condolences to all the families that have lost loved ones in the accident.

Emergency Economic Support Proposal – Add Your Voice!

Emergency Economic Support for Crab Industry

FFAW-Unifor has launched a campaign for federal support for those impacted by the post-pandemic collapse in the NL snow crab fishery. The detailed proposal includes income support requests for fish harvesters, fishery workers, and enterprise owners, to address significant income shortages this year and provide the help needed to make it to next season.

Woodbridge Foam ratifies new deal, eliminating two-tier system

The members of Unifor Local 112 have ratified a new three-year contract with their employer, Woodbridge Foam Corp., an automotive seating and interior design company in Woodbridge, Ont.

“Negotiating this agreement was a long and challenging process, but the bargaining committee felt supported by the strength and solidarity of the members, along with the local and national union,” said Local 112 President John Turner.

Unifor Local 21-A members at Procor Ltd. ratify collective agreement

Members of Unifor Local 21-A at Procor Ltd. in Edmonton have voted 90% in favour of ratifying a new four-year collective agreement with the company.

“Congratulations to the bargaining committee on their continued efforts and negotiating a strong collective agreement that provides good wage and benefit improvements,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “With this contract in place, our members can confidently anticipate four years of progressive wage gains and unwavering benefit security, providing exceptional stability amidst the uncertain economic landscape."

Unifor members eyeing sale of Quebec printing icon Marquis Imprimeur to American giant Lakeside Book

Unifor has learned that Marquis Imprimeur in Quebec has been sold to Lakeside Book, the largest book printer in North America.

On June 1, 2023, Marquis Imprimeur met with unionized workers at the Louiseville, Que. printing plant to break the unsettling news to workers, as well as to reassure them of their job security. According to the employer, skilled labor is an important part of the transaction between Lakeside and Marquis printing companies.

Unifor members at Kruger Wayagamac go on strike

TROIS-RIVIERES, QUE. – Unifor members working for Kruger Wayagamac Inc. paper mill went on strike beginning June 1, at 12 p.m.

Unifor began negotiations with the employer on May 23 over a 10-day period, but union rejected the company’s latest offer.

The workers are demanding better working conditions, particularly improved wages.

"We have reached the salary negotiation phase, and the employer is failing to meet our demands and priorities,” said Joël Vigeant, Unifor National Representative and Forestry Coordinator for the union.

Produits Forestiers Résolu members ratify new agreements

Unifor members working at Produits Forestiers Résolu in Quebec ratified tentative agreements the week of May 26, 2023, covering 10 contracts.

Unifor Quebec Director Daniel Cloutier, who was present throughout the negotiations, said this new contract is a major step for workers in the forestry industry.

"Unifor members can now look to the future with confidence, knowing that their rights and professional interests are protected by strong and fair agreements," he said.