In celebration of Personal Support Worker Day on May 19, 2021 Unifor salutes the contributions of the thousands of Unifor members who work as Personal Support Workers (PSWs) in Ontario, and Continuing Care Assistants (CCAs) in Nova Scotia.
We are especially proud this year to recognize PSW’s who have been on the front lines putting themselves in danger ever day by providing care for others during this unprecedented pandemic. In many health care facilities, PSW’s have been the backbone, providing care throughout the pandemic.
TORONTO, ON, May 18, 2021 – Health-care workers who have been there for patients and their families in every corner of Ontario throughout the COVID-19 pandemic are telling the Ford government that its wage restraint program profoundly devalues the contribution they’ve made, and that it must go now. For nearly 16 months, front-line health care staff have overcome challenge after challenge battling the coronavirus. Nearly 23,000 health-care workers have been infected with COVID-19, and 24 have died.
May 15, 2021 TORONTO – Members of Unifor Local 100 have voted to ratify a new collective bargaining agreement with VIA Rail that will continue to build on gains for a prosperous future. Unifor entered negotiations at the height of the pandemic, working relentlessly to secure an increase of pay and benefits for workers. “Our members have been working hard throughout the pandemic to assist in the safe transportation of people. We owed it to them to get a comprehensive deal that they could confidently rely on during these unprecedented times,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.
Unifor is urging the federal government to send Canadian observers to oversee the upcoming union vote at the General Motors (GM) plant in Silao, Mexico.
Unifor marks the 2021 International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOT) with solidarity for people of all sexual and gender minorities.
Unifor remains resolved to continue the fight against homophobia and transphobia through social change and the fight for human rights for all.
As we resurface after the pandemic and begin to build a better world, we must do away with the inequalities and oppression that lead to discrimination.
The bargaining committee will return to the table next week via zoom. We remain committed to addressing the top priorities as voted upon by membership, which is securing work, job security, addressing wages, and mental health concerns. We will not bargain with ourselves, nor accept concessionary changes to our collective agreement designed to pit worker against worker.
VANCOUVER—A new report published by the B.C. Container Trucking Commissioner will help close many loopholes and improve the standard of living for truckers, says Unifor.
“Container truckers’ concerns about enforcement and fairness have been heard,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “The move to hourly rates makes sense and the ministry must ensure that no truck driver loses out when this system is fully implemented.”
HALIFAX-While it is a positive first step Nova Scotia’s temporary and voluntary paid sick leave program falls short of providing the protection that all workers need.
After months of lobbying, Unifor members are relieved with today’s funding announcement by federal and provincial ministers, the Mayors of Toronto and Thunder Bay, and transit officials to purchase sixty additional streetcars and refurbish bi-level coaches that will secure jobs for Unifor Local 1075 members at the Alstom plant in Thunder Bay.
REGINA – Unifor is launching a national campaign calling on all elected provincial, territorial and federal legislators to enact anti-scab legislation, to restore balance to collective bargaining.
Unifor is relieved the federal Minister of Natural Resources is intervening on the eve of tomorrow’s deadline for Enbridge to shut down a key artery in the energy infrastructure between Canada and the U.S., providing vital energy needs for four provinces and four states.
Since we have reached a tentative one-year agreement with Loomis we have been working on a Canada wide process to present the tentative agreement to the members and have you vote on it.
Given all of the Covid restrictions, the logistics and timing are difficult. We intend to hold Zoom based meetings over two days on June 12 and 13 at different times in each Province, we will then use Simply Voting to vote on the proposed agreement later that week.
May 10, 2021 The Ontario government must act immediately to reduce the unacceptable surgical and diagnostic test backlog says Unifor. “The Ford government failed to quickly enact measures to protect Ontarians from the spread of COVID-19, such as paid sick days and priority vaccination access for essential workers,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.
TORONTO—A refusal by the owners of Reliance Home Comfort to make meaningful proposals at the bargaining table could force job action this week at the Ontario-based HVAC, plumbing, and electrical provider, says Unifor.
“Unifor members serve Reliance customers with pride, but without movement on key issues from the employer this week, customer service will grind to a halt if we’re on a picket line,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.
In December 2019, Unifor Local 594 members working at the Co-op Refinery in Regina, SK were locked out by their employer, in a dispute that would ultimately last for 201 days. The members’ defined benefits pension plan was the main area of disagreement at the bargaining table, with the employer demanding deep concessions but unwilling to put an offer to the membership until the months into the lockout.
