Sisters and Brothers

Wishing those a Happy Dewali

Lee, Sanjay, Brian, Chris

REGINA—Unifor bargaining committees have signed tentative agreements with SaskEnergy, SaskPower, SaskTel, SaskWater, DirectWest, and SecureTek, ending a 17-day strike by nearly 5,000 workers across the province.

“Solidarity and the support from Unifor members at all six Crowns along with those who joined our picket lines from across the province were key to achieving this agreement,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “I want to thank Ian Davidson, President, Unifor Local 649, Dave Kuntz, President, Unifor Local 1-S, Penny Matheson, President, Unifor Local 2-S and Doug Lang, President, Unifor Local 820 for showing tremendous resolve and leadership to stand together and fight back against the regressive Moe government mandate to achieve a fair collective agreement.”

The details of the tentative agreements will be released following the ratification votes, which will be held this month.

Unifor members have been escalating strike action after the employers rejected the union’s offer to go to binding arbitration. On Saturday the Poplar River power plant in Coronach was behind reinforced picket lines that only granted access to essential services staff. Unifor members also picketed SaskTel dealers across the province asking customers to support locked out workers and take their business elsewhere.

“Unifor members proved that they are vital to their communities and the Saskatchewan economy,” said Chris MacDonald, Assistant to the National President.

“This was an historic and yet complicated round of bargaining and the bargaining committees will be recommending members ratify the tentative agreement reached today,” said Scott Doherty, Executive Assistant to the National President.

The members want to thank the public, and other unions and Unifor members across the country who showed support on picket lines in more than 80 locations.

Unifor is Canada’s largest union in the private sector, representing 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future

Sisters and Brothers,

It has been an incredible year of learning and advocating in my position with the Health and Safety and Environmental Committee of the Ontario Regional Council. I am seeking re-election to this position. It would be a honour to continue in the role and so I seek your support. In Solidarity!

Brian we know you will continue to do a great job advocating for our Sisters and Brothers.

October 20, 2019

TORONTO –The election of a Liberal minority government, with the NDP and the Bloc Quebecois holding the balance of power gives workers a strong voice in Parliament.

“This election was always about workers and big questions. How can we create good paying jobs, provide vital services including healthcare, and confront climate change as a country? Canadian voters delivered an answer on how today- we’ll do it together,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.

Unifor actively opposed the Conservative election agenda with a successful campaign to Stop Scheer.

“Workers remember that Andrew Scheer was a part of a Harper government that catered to big business at our expense,” said Dias. “We see Conservative policies in action in Alberta and Ontario where wages and vital services have been cut. That’s why we took action to prevent Andrew Scheer from inflicting similar harm from the federal level.”

The union calls on the next government to implement national, universal pharmacare and childcare programs, investing in bold, new public services that will benefit all workers.

“Progressive, minority governments have brought about some of our country’s greatest social and legislative changes. It is my hope that the MPs elected today are ready to work together to find the solutions that workers in Canada need,” added Renaud Gagné, Unifor Quebec Director.

Unifor is Canada’s largest union in the private sector, representing 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.