Source: Unifor National

Unifor’s activism against violence against women and gender-based violence in all its forms is strong and longstanding. Together workers have won efforts to prevent violence, and better support survivors. Women have led the way.

Women still experience violence predominantly at the hands of men, most often their intimate partners or family members. Men’s violence against women has increased sharply during the pandemic.

By naming the source of the violence, we can focus more clearly on finding solutions.

In 2021, men in positions of power in the union pledge to speak up and take action to prevent gender-based violence.

Gender based violence happens in all communities. However, some people face increased rates of violence including Indigenous women and women of colour, non-binary people, trans, lesbian and bisexual women, women with disabilities and women living in rural and remote regions.

November 25 starts a global campaign of 16 Days of Activism for the Elimination of Violence against Women. December 6 will mark Canada’s National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women.

Unifor invites all men to take a pledge and speak out to ensure all women, girls and gender diverse people are valued, respected and are able to live free from violence.

In addition to challenging men’s attitudes and actions, as trade unionists, men can take action at the bargaining table and in the workplace to help prevent gender-based violence. Actions that address economic security for women and gender diverse people can include negotiating and enforcing pay equity, employment equity, anti-harassment language, family leaves, paid domestic violence leave, good wages and other workplace rights.

These measures have the additional benefit of underscoring the equality and equity that women and gender diverse people deserve. This is all part of preventing gender-based violence.

During this campaign, and all year round, spread the word by speaking to men and boys in your life. Suggested topics are on our campaign page.

Source: Unifor National

We can’t help but think of how busy warehouses across Canada and the United States are going to be this week in the lead up to Black Friday.

While companies like Amazon try to get a head start on their profits prior to the holiday season, and customers shop in stores and online in search of sales, warehouse workers are left carrying the heaviest burden. During this period, expectations and workloads rise while wages remain the same and working conditions get more difficult.

During the pandemic, warehouse workers faced some of the most difficult situations, including many COVID-19 outbreaks in Canadian warehouses.

Warehouse workers across the country deserve the best health and safety protections, fair wages, better working conditions, and respect on the job.

This year, for Black Friday, our union is sharing with all Unifor local unions a new campaign, titled “Warehouse Workers Unite”. This campaign aims to bring attention to the experience of warehouse workers, and to encourage warehouse workers to consider what our union can do to help them gain a voice and respect on the job.

You will find more information, resources, videos to watch and a social media shareable at www.warehouseworkersunite.ca

We ask that local unions support this campaign by:

1. Sharing the campaign website, video and social media sharable on your local union websites, social media channels and with your members
2. Post this tweet or write your own: As #BlackFriday ramps up seasonal shopping, warehouse workers will carry the load. #Unifor believes warehouse workers deserve decent wages, H & S protections, better working conditions & respect on the job. #WarehouseWorkersUnite
3. Communicate with Unifor’s organizing department if your local union has any contacts for workers who currently work in non-union warehouses
4. Thank and support frontline workers during the busy holiday season.

We have a lot of work to do to bring justice and respect for warehouse workers across Canada. We look forward to your help and participation in this new campaign.

In solidarity,

Jerry Dias                      Lana Payne                                    Renaud Gagné
National President         National Secretary-Treasurer         Quebec Director

Source Unifor National

VANCOUVER—Families affected by the floods in British Columbia will benefit from a $60,000 donation by Unifor to the Red Cross.

“Unifor’s social justice work doesn’t stop in the workplace. Our members want to be a part of community support and social solidarity,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.

Unifor’s donation is comprised of $20,000 from Unifor’s B.C. Regional Council and $40,000 from Unifor’s Canadian Community Fund. Unifor is also encouraging member locals to donate where possible.

“These regions were just starting to recover from the pandemic. The floods will set tens of thousands of families back, potentially for years. We remain committed to doing everything we can to support our neighbours and coworkers during this time,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director

Unifor National

November 20, 2021

AJAX–Unifor has elevated pay, benefits and working conditions for 1,000 warehouse workers at the Loblaw  Distribution Centre in Ajax, Ontario with the negotiation of a new four-year collective agreement.

“This is a landmark contract in the warehouse sector, with an increase of almost 16% in the start rate and an increase of 11-14% for the other wage classifications over the lifetime of the agreement,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “The gains in this agreement, including a significant increase in RRSP co-payments, signing bonuses, higher shift premiums and added vacation for longer serving workers, will make a real difference to these workers and raise standards across the industry.”

The collective agreement, which expires February 15, 2026, was accepted in a ratification vote by the Unifor Local 222 members.

Highlights of the four-year agreement:

• Warehouse start rate increased by $3 an hour from $19 – $22
• All other Wage Classifications increase 11%  – 14% over four years
• Signing Bonus of $2,000 for members with four years or more and $1,000 for those with three years or less, including part-time workers.
• Company RRSP contribution for workers with more than five years service increased from 3.5% to 5%
• Additional week of vacation added for workers with 15 years of service, for a total of five weeks vacation.
• Benefit upgrades to vision, dental, hearing and boot allowance
• Shift Premium increase
• The creation off a Racial Justice Advocate

“The bargaining committee took a comprehensive approach to deliver an agreement that addresses all aspects of the job, from compensation, to working conditions, to benefits, to improve the lives of our members and their families,” said Kyle Coughlan, Unifor Local 222 Bargaining Chair.