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Strike averted as Dominion store workers reach tentative agreement

July 31, 2020 ST. JOHN’S–Unifor Local 597 and Loblaw Companies Limited have reached a tentative collective agreement, avoiding strike action at Dominion stores across Newfoundland. “These members have shown their character on the frontline of the pandemic and throughout the bargaining process as they united to improve working standards,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “Unifor has and will continue the fight to raise the bar for essential retail workers.” Details of the collective agreement will not be released prior to ratification.

“Enough talk. We need bold action now.”: a coalition of unions representing front-line healthcare workers respond to Ontario’s long-term care staffing study

July 30, 2020

TORONTO — Unions that represent front-line healthcare workers across the long-term care sector issued the below joint statement following the release of Ontario’s long-term care staffing study, attributed to Sharleen Stewart, President, SEIU Healthcare, Candace Rennick, Secretary-Treasurer, CUPE Ontario, and Jerry Dias, National President, Unifor:

Dominion store strike deadline looms

July 30, 2020

ST. JOHN’S–Negotiations to renew the collective agreement between Unifor and Loblaw Companies Limited are coming down to the wire as a strike deadline that will affect all 11 Dominion stores in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador looms.

“This is not the outcome we want. However, as the hours pass it becomes clearer that strike action may be inevitable,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.

Ending Systemic Racism and Redefining Public Safety

July 30, 2020

Harassment, assault, and murder committed by police in the United States and Canada are unjust and unacceptable.

Unifor acknowledges the systemic racism, rooted in White Supremacy, that leads to violence perpetuated against Black, Indigenous and people of colour globally, resulting in individual and community pain, incarceration, and death.

Unifor vows to continue fighting Kenney's anti-worker law

EDMONTON—Unifor members have resolved to continue to defend their rights at work after the all-night session of the legislature eased the passage of Bill 32.

“Bill 32 is a blatant attack on workers’ constitutional rights. There is absolutely no way we will comply with it,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Jason Kenny is turning back the clock on workers’ rights to benefit his wealthiest corporate donors.”

Unifor members ratify major gains at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

VANCOUVER—Members of Unifor Local 4275 overwhelmingly ratified a three-year contract that offers greater job protection during uncertain times in the hospitality industry.

“Unifor is a union for hospitality workers,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “The protections brokered in this collective agreement give greater income security to workers that have been so deeply affected by the pandemic.”

Dominion store workers deliver overwhelming strike mandate

July 24, 2020

ST. JOHN’S – Unifor members at Dominion grocery stores across Newfoundland have delivered an overwhelming 94% strike mandate, after negotiations with Loblaw Companies Limited have failed to produce a new collective agreement.

“These frontline workers have stepped up to serve their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic but Dominion continues to deny them full-time jobs and fair pay,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.

The union has set a strike deadline a week from today at 12:01 a.m. Friday July 31, 2020.

BC Court should ensure Northern Pulp financing protects workers and the forestry sector

July 23, 2020

VANCOUVER—Unifor is urging the British Columbia court overseeing creditor protection hearings for Northern Pulp to ensure the ridiculous squabble between Paper Excellence and the Nova Scotia government doesn’t destroy the forest industry in Nova Scotia. A financing agreement that is good for workers, protects the environment, and supports the continuation of the forestry sector in Nova Scotia must be achieved.

End profit in long-term care, reinvest in more residents’ supports and staffing, urge advocates in new “CARE NOT PROFITS” campaign

July 23, 2020

TORONTO — Ontarians are being urged to join a growing call for profound changes to the province’s long-term care system that would end profit-making in the provision of residential care. Today, SEIU Healthcare, CUPE, and Unifor, unions that represent workers across the long-term care sector, invited families to demand reforms from Premier Doug Ford so money goes to better care for seniors, not profits for corporate shareholders.

Long-term care workers’ unions launch public push to end for-profit care

July 22, 2020

TORONTO – Tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., SEIU Healthcare, CUPE Ontario, and Unifor, unions that represent healthcare workers across the long-term care sector, will unveil the next stage of their joint advocacy, calling for profound change to improve the conditions of work and care through an end to for-profit care.

Funding package for priorities to restart Canada’s economy reveal start of path for longer-term recovery

July 17, 2020

TORONTO – The short-term federal funding package for provinces lays the groundwork for recovery, but still misses bigger picture economic needs, says Unifor.

“The federal government has come through with a first step for economic recovery, but it is just a start,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Now it’s up to Premiers and the federal government to continue this collaboration, make these changes permanent, and create a long-term plan that puts working families first.”

Joint letter to Prime Minister Trudeau and Premiers across Canada

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, governments have necessarily taken public health seriously. To protect the public, we shut down businesses and stayed indoors. For the travel and tourism sector, this has resulted in serious impacts to their ongoing viability, and more specifically to the jobs that many Canadian families rely on. As our economy begins to reopen, it becomes more important than ever that governments focus on balancing public health and labour market considerations.