Unifor Local 1996-O

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Unifor calls for Prime Minister Carney to unite team Canada

TORONTO- On Prime Minister Carney’s first day in office, Unifor calls on him to heed the calls of workers to protect Canadian jobs in the face of unprecedented U.S. trade attacks.

“Prime Minister Carney, as you take on this role know that Unifor members, indeed all workers, have high expectations of you. You’re stepping into a new job while many, many others are at risk. We need leadership that is thoughtful, strategic and bold,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

Unifor recommends a strong response to Trump’s tariff threats, and progressive actions to protect jobs, industry and public services. The union calls on Prime Minister Carney and his new team to:

–    Protect Canadian Jobs with bold trade and industrial policies, to build economic resilience, strengthen our nation, and limit U.S. dependence;
–    Continue to consult the Prime Minister’s Council on Canada-U.S. relations;
–    Strong workplace supports to mitigate job loss, keep workers on payrolls and expand Employment Insurance  for those who need it;
–    Stand up for the belief in equality that makes us Canadian, keep health care public, expand $10-a-Day child care, and take real steps to end intimate partner violence, and
–    Tackle the high costs of living and housing that are holding families and young people back, and are causing a widespread homelessness crisis in our country.

“It’s not enough to go tit for tat with Trump. We need to make big moves, today, that will decrease Canada’s reliance on the United States and protect our industries and public services for years to come. We may be days away from an election, but the world will keep spinning, and progress must continue to protect Canadian jobs,” continued Payne.

Unifor’s Protect Canadian Jobs campaign outlines the union’s fight against tariffs and encourages the public to take a “Buy Unifor” pledge.

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Canada’s top telecom warns trade war will add to wireless-unit challenges

Source: https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca

By Bloomberg News

Published: 

Canada’s largest telecom company by revenue warned that a prolonged trade war will drag on economic growth, which was already hampered by a drop in domestic immigration targets.

“Everyone is going to have to get comfortable with lower volumes of sales,” BCE Inc. Chief Executive Officer Mirko Bibic said in an interview with Bloomberg.

“And then, if customers get concerned around the economic impacts of tariffs, and there’s less demand for second lines, third lines — there will still be a demand as penetration goes up, but penetration may not go up as fast.”

Canada plans to admit nearly 20% fewer permanent residents this year than in 2024, as well as fewer foreign students. This smaller pool led to a 56% year-over-year drop in net postpaid wireless subscriber additions during BCE’s fourth quarter

Read more click the above source link…

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Bell CEO Sounds Alarm: Trade War, Immigration Cuts May Hurt Growth

Source: https://www.iphoneincanada.ca

John Quintet

Bell Canada CEO Mirko Bibic says economic uncertainty, a trade war, and lower immigration targets are slowing telecom growth.

 “Everyone is going to have to get comfortable with lower volumes of sales,” he told Bloomberg, adding that while wireless demand will continue, growth may not be as fast.

While tariffs do not directly affect Bell, Bibic said the company is monitoring their “secondary impacts” on consumer confidence and corporate spending. “If it suppresses both of those in a dramatic fashion, then the impact will be potentially significant,” he said.

 

Read the full article click on source link above

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EI reforms urgently needed as Trump tariffs take hold: labour and community groups

CUPE, CLC and Unifor logos

 

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Unifor, the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) and the Interprovincial EI Working Group are demanding urgent improvements to Canada’s Employment Insurance (EI) system, as workers face economic hardship due to tariffs from the United States. This EI roadmap has been endorsed by over 100 organizations and unions across the country.

“Our current EI system simply won’t cut it for the crisis that’s coming,” said CUPE National President Mark Hancock. “The federal government is putting hundreds of thousands of workers at risk if they fail to implement these changes.”

“We’re calling on all parties to immediately strengthen Canada’s social safety net and provide support to working people,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

CUPE, Unifor, the CLC and the Interprovincial EI Working Group are proposing measures that would make it much easier for workers to access EI and improve the benefits they receive. Key proposals would boost workers’ access to EI including for those in precarious jobs. A minimum benefit would be established as well as higher maximum earnings to ensure workers can live in dignity.

“We need to ensure all workers, especially those in precarious jobs, have the support they need,” said Mary Gellatly, co-chair of the Interprovincial EI working group. “These changes are needed for all industries and all workers across Canada so no one is left behind.”

“Urgent changes are needed short term but we also need the comprehensive EI reform that ensures lasting protections for workers into the future,” said Bea Bruske, President of the CLC.

CUPE is Canada’s largest union, representing 750,000 members across Canada. Unifor is Canada’s largest private-sector union, representing 320,000 members nationwide. The CLC brings together national and international unions, provincial and territorial federations of labour and labour councils to represent more than 3 million workers across the country. The Interprovincial EI Working Group was formed in 2013 to campaign for EI reforms, working with labour and community organizations across Canada.

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Unifor Auto and IPS Councils hold emergency meeting on ‘fight of our lives’

A large group photo

 

LONDON— The Unifor Auto Council and Independent Parts Suppliers (IPS) Council held an emergency joint meeting today to address the ongoing tariff threat and U.S. President Donald Trump’s open demand for Canadian auto and parts jobs to be moved to the United States.

“This is the fight of our lives. We’re going to have to lay it all on the line and be prepared to do whatever it takes. This entire industry is at risk, our plants, our jobs, everything that you have fought to achieve for years. Everything that the people before you fought for,” Unifor National President Lana Payne told the Councils.

“Our members have been living under economic warfare by the President of the United States. The threats grow by the day, the goal posts move by the day, and every day brings chaos. Trump’s plan from day one is to steal investment and jobs from this country,” Payne warned.

More than 120 Council members attended the emergency meeting to represent the 20,000 Unifor members at the Detroit Three automakers and 17,000 members employed at independent parts suppliers.

The Councils endorsed a joint statement condemning the unjust imposition and ongoing threat of tariffs and committed the full resources of local unions and the National Union to take direct action to support Canadian jobs, by whatever means necessary.

The Councils stated that the temporary pause granted to the auto industry is insufficient and is not supported by Canadian autoworkers. Until there is a full and unequivocal lifting of these unjust, punitive, and illegal tariffs on all Canadian goods, Unifor Auto and IPS Councils oppose this Trump policy, and stand in full solidarity with Canadian workers.

Read the full statement here.

“If they think they can shift production to the U.S. and not face the wrath of this union,  they have another thing coming. You don’t build here, you don’t sell here,” said Payne.

Read Unifor’s recommendations on tariff response and economic measures here.

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