Unifor was prepared to open bargaining with VIA Rail virtually on Thursday, October 21, 2021 with contracts for more than 2,000 members set to expire on December 31, 2021.
Bargaining dates for the first two weeks of November were secured and agreed to by VIA Rail for Local 100 and Council 4000.
VIA Rail has since notified us that they are not prepared to open bargaining today and won’t be ready until the week of November 21st.
TORONTO — Unifor welcomes the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021, introduced today by the provincial government, and continues to push for better working conditions for all in the sector.
BELLEVILLE—Wage and benefits enhancements are the highlights of a first collective agreement ratified today by Unifor Local 1090 members, ending their five-day strike at the Shorelines casino.
“Unifor is Canada’s union for gaming and hospitality workers,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Shorelines Casino Belleville workers showed great solidarity and determination to win their first collective agreement.”
The ratification ends the strike action that began at 1:01 a.m. on Friday, October 22, 2021.
BELLEVILLE—Unifor members working at Belleville’s casino will vote Wednesday on ratification of a new tentative agreement.
“I am very impressed with the solidarity and activism of the Shorelines group in Belleville,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “The employer tried to test their determination, but our members stayed strong and succeeded in winning important gains.”
If ratified, the deal will end the strike action that began at 1:01 a.m. on Friday, October 22, 2021.
Details of the agreement will be release after ratification.
TORONTO–Unifor Local 112 and 673 members ratified new agreements with De Havilland Aircraft of Canada today, ending a three-month long strike at the aircraft manufacturer’s Downsview facility in Toronto.
The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled in favour of workers in a precedent-setting case about the method employers must use to maintain proxy pay equity for their predominantly female workforce.
Members of Unifor Local 1044 at Prelco in Rivière-du-Loup, Quebec went on strike October 24. They have been without a collective agreement since last February.
The 225 members rejected a tentative agreement reached the previous week and voted in favour of the strike at a general meeting on October 24. The main stumbling block in the negotiations is wage increases.
The picket line is being set up in front of the plant at 94 Cartier Boulevard in Rivière-du-Loup.
TORONTO–The introduction of legislation that would require companies to develop disconnect from work policies is a welcome start to improve work-life balance for Ontario workers.
By Sune Sandbeck, National Representative, Research Department
The debate over what to do about inflation has been heating up over the past few months. With the annual growth in the consumer price index (CPI) reaching 4.4% in September, calls are growing louder for the Bank to accelerate its plans to increase interest rates.
The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, P.C., M.P.
Prime Minister of Canada @email
RE: Advancing a program for Canada’s fair, resilient and inclusive recovery
Dear Prime Minister,
As you consider the key priorities that will guide the work of incoming Cabinet ministries under Canada’s 44th parliament, I want to impress upon you the importance of delivering for working people who continue to battle their way through this pandemic.
When it comes to paid sick days, Justin Trudeau has made Premier John Horgan’s job very easy.
The Liberal Party committed to increase paid sick days from three to ten, alongside a promise to develop a national sick day action plan with provinces, within 100 days of taking office.
With Jagmeet Singh’s NDP pushing for the same standard, it’s clear to see that changes are coming–and fast. In B.C., John Horgan simply has to follow suit.
BELLEVILLE—At 1 a.m. a strike commenced at Shorelines Casino Belleville. Picket lines will be erected later in the morning.
Bargaining committees for Unifor Local 1090 and the employer worked late into the night to reach an agreement. Parties will resume meetings again on Friday, October 22 with the goal of resolving the dispute to resume casino operations.
BELLEVILLE—As the midnight strike deadline approaches, Unifor Local 1090 members are making final preparations for a picket line that will effectively close operations at the Belleville casino.
“We know this large gaming employer can do better than wages near the legal minimum—just take a look at their other unionized facilities,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “If they want to test us before signing a first collective agreement for these workers, we’re ready.”
TORONTO–Unifor Local 112 members at the Pan Pacific Toronto hotel ratified a new agreement with the employer by 100 per cent.
“Unifor is Canada’s union for hospitality workers,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “I’m extremely proud of the work our Local 112 bargaining committee did to secure a such a strong agreement in these challenging times.”
TORONTO –The federal government’s decision to end the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) before implementing a permanent fix for the country’s inadequate Employment Insurance (EI) program will revert workers to failed pre-pandemic income security measures, Unifor says.
Unifor members of Local 200 and 707 at Leadec Corp. ratified a new three-year agreement by 80 per cent.
“These negotiations presented a unique set of challenges in an industry that is undergoing fundamental change,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “Nonetheless, the bargaining committee members were determined to make important gains for our members and were successful in doing so.”
Perimeter Aviation flight attendants have ratified a new two-year contact with the Winnipeg-based airline.
The deal was ratified on Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, after Unifor Local 2002 conducted two Zoom meetings with the 46 Perimeter Aviation members to review of the employer’s final contract offer.
“Unifor has been fighting to Build Back Better and get the aviation industry back up and running as we emerge out of COVID-19 and into the recovery stage,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.
TORONTO – The steps taken by the Ontario government to protect temporary workers and regulate unscrupulous temp agencies are a good start, but further action is needed to improve health and safety for such workers, Unifor says.
“These fly by night agencies have damaged communities by exploiting the most vulnerable workers, including racialized workers, women, newcomers and migrant workers,” Unifor National President Jerry Dias said.
“We commend the government for listening to advocates and community members and introducing these changes.”
Each October 18, Canada marks Persons Day. On this day, the Privy Council declared some women to be persons under the Constitution they gained the right to be appointed to public office including the Senate of Canada.
This right was not open to most women based on class and race. Reviewing our legislatures and the Senate today, not a lot has changed.
Women continue to make up fewer than 32 per cent of lawmakers. Women of colour, Indigenous women and working-class women make up a small fraction of that number.
On August 23, our union's National Executive Board (NEB) adopted a statement on Comprehensive Workplace Immunization Programs and Mandatory Vaccinations. In this statement, our union took a position in favour of workplace mandatory vaccine policies as one important tool, among others, to keep workers safe, to sustain a reopening of Canada’s economy and put an end to this pandemic.
Unifor’s newest submission to the federal government has one core premise in mind: No worker should experience economic collapse in the face of climate change either from climate events or the progression towards an environmentally sustainable world.
With the new mobile friendly Unifor website fully launched, the mobile app is now obsolete and is being discontinued.
The app was launched in 2018 to help Unifor members and allies stay up-to-date on their smartphones with the latest news and events, but now the app has become redundant as the new website that launched last month is optimized for mobile devices.
Unifor’s new site was designed with a mobile-first strategy to ensure that it could function as a singular online portal to all news, videos, events, campaigns, and other resources.
TORONTO – The escalating harassment faced by journalists – particularly online and targeting women and workers of colour – is absolutely unacceptable and Unifor is putting together a major project to address the issue.
“Unifor condemns this behaviour. No journalist should have to face the kind of threatening, misogynist and racist harassment that has become so commonplace,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.
Bargaining Update: Bell Aliant and Bell Clerical Negotiations Delayed
The kickoff dates for both Bell Clerical and Bell Aliant negotiations are delayed because of the company’s attempt to use the Maintenance of Activities provisions of the Canada Labour Code, 87.4(1), to take away workers’ power. Bell Clerical was set to begin on Wednesday, October 13, 2021 and Atlantic was scheduled for Thursday, October 14, 2021.
Luis Castro is a member of Local 62 and works at the Hotel Intercontinental in Montreal. He talks to us about retirement security and the reasons why young people should get involved in collective bargaining.
What is the main issue facing young workers?
In my sector, there were quite a few layoffs due to the pandemic, so of course access to good jobs is a very important issue. People want stable, well-paid jobs and they want to be recognized for their skills.
Jamie Chilcott is a young member of Unifor Local 88. He started working as a student at CAMI, the General Motors plant in Ingersoll Ontario, in 2010, and reached full-time status in 2013. As a father of two young children, Jamie shares just how much of a daily challenge access to child care can be for young workers.
September’s job numbers are out and Unifor’s Labour Market Insights report shows another 157,100 jobs were added, unemployment fell to 6.9% and the participation recovered to pre-pandemic levels at 65.5%.
Unifor proudly celebrates Continuing Care Assistant (CCA) Week, Oct 11-15, 2021, organized by the Health Association of Nova Scotia (HANS) as part of Continuing Care Month.
"The amount of compassion and hard work provided by CCAs should not only be recognized over a week but every single day of the year," said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. "To all our CCA members, thank you for all you do in protecting our most vulnerable in society. Your resilience and grit during the pandemic should not go unnoticed."
Ontario Food Basics workers voted 88% in favour to ratify a new collective agreement that protects and grows full-time jobs, secures wage and benefit increases and extends the health benefit plan for part-time workers.
TORONTO — Unifor welcomes the Ontario government’s announcement to provide an additional $270 million this year for long-term care homes to help increase direct care for residents to three hours by the end of the fiscal year.
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