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Unifor files Unfair Labour Practice complaint against Bell Canada

May 27, 2019
To: All Bell-related Locals across Canada
Sisters and Brothers,

Today, Unifor has filed an Unfair Labour Practice complaint against Bell Canada for their failure
to disclose the scope of the Wireless to the Home project during Bell Craft bargaining in 2017, and
again during BTS bargaining in 2018 where the tripartite agreement covering residential
installation work was also renegotiated.

Additionally, in the complaint, we have also raised how the entire project was contracted out as
pay back for the union exercising our legal right to represent our members in a way that Bell
Canada was not appreciative of (this according to Declan Brady, Senior Vice President of
Operations, Bell).

In the coming weeks and months members can expect a series of escalating actions aimed at
repatriating this work for members of Unifor.

Please continue to support your bargaining committees, local representatives and your national
union as we fight for this work and the end to erosion in all of our bargaining units.

Please visit our website at Bellrealtalk.ca for the latest updates.

 
In solidarity,
Chris MacDonald                                            John Caluori
Assistant to the National President            Assistant to the Quebec Director

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“Listen Up”….Mental Health, a priority for Canada’s largest private sector union

listen up 2019

Sisters and Brothers,

Our “listen Up” initiative makes the Unifor National website. Mental Health and stress in the workplace is important to all, as well as work life balance.

To read the article click here…

Mental Health, a priority for Canada’s largest private sector union

May 22, 2019

Unifor, with over 315,000 members in every major sector of the economy, has been a very active advocate for mental health.

As members, each one of us has been touched in some way by mental health either directly, or through a family member, friend or a colleague. Current statistics indicate that 1 in 5 Canadians will, in their lifetime experience a mental health problem or illness. This major social concern spares no one.  As Canadians and Unionists, we have come a very long way in advocating for those in need, yet sadly the  stigma is very much real, alive and well in the mind of the sufferer, even in 2019. Sadly, there is still the sense that by speaking up, we are being judged by those around us. This alone is one of their greatest barriers to live a complete and satisfying life. As members of Unifor, we have always advocated strongly for the need to openly speak up and listen up on mental health in our workplaces but we also recognize that there is much work to be done. Clearly we are, as always, up for this challenge. At Unifor, we continually strive to place mental health at the forefront by utilizing all social media outlets including the national website.

Here are some quick facts that may astound you.

  • Approximately 8% of adults will experience major depression at some time in their lives.
  • About 1% of Canadians will experience bipolar disorder (or “manic depression”).
  • By age 40, about 50% of the population will have or have had a mental illness.
  • Schizophrenia affects 1% of the Canadian population.
  • Anxiety disorders affect 5% of the household population, causing mild to severe impairment.
  • Suicide accounts for 24% of all deaths among 15-24 year olds and 16% among 25-44 year olds.
  • Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in both men and women from adolescence to middle age.
  • The mortality rate due to suicide among men is four times the rate among women………

continue reading click here

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Unifor’s Ships Stay Here campaign pays off

Ships stay here

May 22, 2019

HALIFAX – Marine Workers Federation (MWF) Unifor Local 1 members at the Halifax Shipyard who ran the Ships Stay Here campaign are relieved after the federal government announced a contract award for two additional Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS) to Irving Shipbuilding, Inc. for the Canadian Coast Guard.

“We fought for what was promised, which was an end to the boom-bust cycle in Canada’s shipbuilding industry,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Our members held the government to account on the promises made in the National Shipbuilding Strategy and we’re proud their hard work, strong track record and skill is being rewarded. We are thankful the Trudeau government heard our members’ concerns and responded with a strong plan to protect Canadian jobs.”

Unifor’s Ships Stay Here campaign began after the federal government reallocated Halifax-class ship maintenance work traditionally done at the Halifax Shipyard. Without the maintenance work to bridge between the two large fabrication contracts won by Irving Shipbuilding, there would be three or more years without enough work to sustain the current workforce, let alone continue to attract and build capacity at the yard.

“With a years-long gap, we knew there would be layoffs and we’d lose those who were just starting their shipbuilding careers,” said Lana Payne, Unifor Atlantic Regional Director. “These newer hires represented the most diverse group in the yard including young workers, women, workers of colour and aboriginal workers.”

In October, Unifor members covered the city with lawn signs, marched to City Hall where a resolution to support the campaign was also passed, and signed thousands of letters to local Members of Parliament highlighting the issues caused by a gap in work at the yard.

“We’re very proud of our team and the huge support we got from the public,” said Ryan LaPointe, Unifor-MWF Local 1 President. “Our campaign was successful and in the end it’s a win for us, for Halifax and for the whole province.”

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LOCAL 1996-O EXECUTIVE ELECTIONS 2019

Brothers and Sisters:
As per our National Constitution and the decision by the National Union dated March 17, 2015, whereby changing 1996-O Executive election dates to be held no later than July 31 in any given election year.
In light of this National Union decision, Nomination forms are now open from May 24 2019 – May 31 2019 10:00hrs.

Please download the Nomination Form here and follow the instructions provided in the fine print on the form. Please also visit the union boards for nomination forms, Rules and dates.

In Solidarity,

Local 1996-O