November 28, 2024

 

The 2024 Make Amazon Pay days of resistance will take place November 29 to December 3. Led by UNI Global Union, the event is a coordinated protest of Amazon’s anti-worker and anti-democratic business practices.

Unifor is encouraging members to take part in a social media action on Friday, November 29 to raise the profile of the united resistance to Amazon’s poor treatment of workers. On Friday, share some of these messages across your social media channels:

• From Black Friday to Cyber Monday, workers and allies across 30+ countries unite to say: Enough is enough. It’s time to #MakeAmazonPay. Join us in demanding fair wages, union rights, environmental responsibility, and tax justice!
• Amazon has spent untold millions trying to silence workers and crush unions. This Black Friday, workers across the globe are standing up. The fight for fair wages and safe working conditions will NOT be silenced. #MakeAmazonPay
• Amazon workers are organizing for better pay, safer workplaces, and union rights. From Germany to Bangladesh to Canada,  the fight is global. Today, we all stand together to #MakeAmazonPay.

Download the shareable graphic. 

Workers at Amazon facilities have taken courageous steps to form a union with Unifor at several locations in Canada. On November 29, you can support them and Make Amazon Pay!

November 25, 2024

 

November 25 starts the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) which ends on December 6, the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. As a union, we have dedicated our activism to end GBV since the devastation of the Montreal Massacre which took the lives of 14 women at Ecole Polytechnique in Quebec, simply because they were women.

This day holds profound significance for us as all workers can commit to the fight against all forms of gender-based violence, both inside and outside of our workplaces.

For these 16 Days of Activism, Unifor is highlighting the power and resilience of sisters in the union who stand united with our allies in the fight against violence. Across Unifor workplaces, the union has bargained 628 union women who serve as Women’s Advocates to support our members in leaving abusive relationships. In the past year alone, Unifor members gained 113 newly bargained Advocates. It is clear the role is needed more than ever and is a strategic focus of bargaining committees across Unifor locals.

At the intersection of one or more identities, including women, Indigenous and racialized people, those with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ people, youth and newcomers, we know that rates of GBV are disproportionately higher. As reported by the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, 2019, Indigenous women are 12 times more likely to be murdered or missing than other women in Canada, and according to Statistics Canada, Indigenous women are far more likely to experience physical assault than non-Indigenous women. Unifor is actively advocating for the implementation of the 231 Calls for Justice to end violence against Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirited people.

Gender-based violence, including intimate partner violence, devastates countless lives each year. It is beyond time for us to properly call it what it is: an epidemic.

Unifor has been pushing for legislation to do just that, and our union will continue this push in the year to come. Unifor National President Lana Payne is writing to Premiers of all provinces yet to recognise IPV as an epidemic, asking them to take the important step of making this declaration.

Unifor has been a part of recent success in Nova Scotia, where members helped push forward groundbreaking IPV epidemic legislation. The NDP introduced it, the conservative premier first rejected it then passed it that same day after speaking with Atlantic Regional Director Jennifer Murray and Unifor women in the legislature.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, Murray joined Atlantic Regional Council Women’s Committee and executive members to meet with government Ministers to stress the importance of declaring intimate partner violence (IPV) an epidemic in Newfoundland and Labrador. Unifor sent a message to Premier Furey that we expect action.

Although Ontario led the way with the introduction of Private Member’s Bill 173, An Act to Declare Intimate Partner Violence an Epidemic, the Bill is stalled out after Second Reading. In April 2024, Ontario Regional Council Director, Samia Hashi joined Unifor Women’s Director, Tracey Ramsey, ORC Women’s Committee members and staff at Queen’s Park for the second reading. More than 200 survivors, families of victims, service providers and advocates filled the galleries to send a clear message that workers want this legislation passed. More than 130 Unifor women met in Windsor on November 25 to plan for our next steps for this campaign. Join the call to action by sending Premier Ford a message today- It’s time to pass Bill 173.

In British Columbia, Unifor joined a coalition of advocates, experts and concerned service providers who support survivors of gender-based violence. Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle is supporting the efforts of the British Columbia Regional Council Chairperson, Women’s Committee members and liaison who have signed onto a letter from a broad-based Coalition to Premier Eby calling for a declaration of gender-based violence as an epidemic in the province.

In the Prairies, the PRC Chairperson, Women’s Committee members and liaisons are strategizing around how Unifor can push for the same declaration in Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan. Every region has been deeply impacted and is looking to bring IPV legislation to their province.

Ending gender-based violence requires relentless action. Unifor encourages all members to keep showing up, to speak out in their communities, to educate others, and to stand firmly beside every survivor. Unions demonstrate the power of collective action, and together, workers will continue to push for changes required to bring this epidemic to an end.

In preparation for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on December 6, members can download and print posters to display on bulletin boards, in lunchrooms, union offices and more.

Download digital copies of the poster and social media graphics. 

If you are interested in bargaining a Women’s Advocate, please reach out to women@unifor.org for support.

Why are we calling for IPV to be declared an epidemic and why does it matter? These declarations are essential to allocate resources, establish protections and prioritize safety. This work is just beginning and Unifor is a deeply committed partner that has always stood against violence of all forms.

Funding remains devastatingly low and inadequate to support those seeking to flee violent situations. Unifor is providing $175,000 in funding to 74 shelters across the country in December to help fill in the gaps. This funding adds to the work of our outstanding Local Union and Regional Women’s Committees who continue to fundraise to support frontline service providers. Shelters remain in dire need of core funding, and the union will continue to advocate for a fulsome government commitment as we lend support where desperately needed.

Unifor will continue to fight, to advocate, and to hold politicians accountable. Because every woman deserves to live and work in safety, and together, our union is determined to make it happen.

November 25, 2024

 

MONTREAL – Unifor members of Council 4000 and Local 100 at Canadian National Railway (CN Rail) have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action, with 96% of Local 100 members and 97% of Council 4000 members supporting the mandate, preparing to take action should an agreement not be reached by January 1, 2025.

“This overwhelming vote sends a clear message to CN that our members are united and prepared to take action to achieve the fair treatment and respect they deserve,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Our members have had enough of concessions that erode their rights and livelihoods and they are standing strong to demand a contract that reflects their value and the critical role they play in CN’s success.”

The decisive vote underscores the frustration and determination of CN workers who have been advocating for job security, fair compensation and improved working conditions.

“CN has profited enormously from the dedication and hard work of our members,” said Quebec Director Daniel Cloutier. “Yet it continues to dismiss their most basic needs. Our members are sending a unified message that they expect the employer to show meaningful progress at the bargaining table.”

Negotiations with CN will resume in Montreal from November 25 to December 8.

Council 4000 represents over 3,300 workers in customer service, clerical roles and mechanical operations. Local 100 represents approximately 2,100 workers, including mechanics and heavy equipment operators. Both bargaining committees continue to stand firm in their demand for a fair collective.

November 27, 2024

 

SARNIA—INEOS Styrolution’s decision to accelerate the closure of its Sarnia facility to the end of December 2025 has prompted Unifor to call on the federal and provincial governments to intervene.

“The expedited closure of the Sarnia plant is a devastating blow to our members and the local community,” stated Unifor National President Lana Payne. “We urge the governments and the company to work together to secure a new investor.”

The site that INEOS operates was built by the people of Canada as the Canadian Polymer Crown corporation and is an important part of Canada’s chemical and plastics supply chain. The proposed closure jeopardizes the livelihoods of nearly 50 Unifor members, numerous contractors, and threatens the security of supply for Canadian manufacturing.

“Our members have dedicated years of service to this facility,” said Unifor Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi. “INEOS must fulfil its responsibility to these workers and the Sarnia community by exploring all avenues to keep the site operating safely under new ownership.”

The INEOS site in Sarnia was featured on the 1971 Canadian $10 bill.

 

November 26, 2024

 

HALIFAX—Unifor commits to continue the fight to strengthen workers’ rights in Nova Scotia following the re-election of the Progressive Conservative government with a second majority win.

“Workers’ rights have never been more important and our union will continue to defend and promote the interests of all working people in Nova Scotia,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Workers are the economy. Without workers, nothing is built, moved, cared for, sold or purchased and we must be the top priority for Premier Houston as he sets his new government’s agenda.”

In the upcoming session, the union vows to continue to fight for an improved health care system that includes better pay for health care workers and for the speedy passage of provincial anti-scab legislation that would prevent employers from needlessly prolonging labour disputes with the use of scabs during strikes or lockouts.

“We have proof that workers’ voices can and do make a difference,” said Unifor Atlantic Regional Director Jennifer Murray. “Unifor is ready to meet, to talk about issues important to workers and their families and to continue to advocate for changes to make workers’ lives better and their work safer.”

Unifor engages with politicians regularly to advocate for workers. The union has successfully championed initiatives in Nova Scotia, most recently with the campaign to pass legislation to declare intimate partner violence an epidemic.

Murray was with three Unifor members in the legislature on September 12, 2024 when Premier Houston made an about-face on passing legislation to declare intimate partner violence an epidemic. She credits this change of mind to the premier hearing directly from workers.

“We have to be willing to speak out to those in power when we want something done,” said Murray. “Following tonight’s election result, there is now nothing standing in the way of Premier Houston fulfilling the promises he has made to fix health care, improve affordability, and act in Nova Scotians’ best interests.”