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November 8, 2024 by 1996-O Executive

Armed Forces members awarded Star of Courage for rescue of Unifor members on the Atlantic Destiny

Source: Unifor National

November 5, 2024

 

Two members of the Royal Canadian Armed Forces have been awarded the Star of Courage for their heroic rescue  of  Unifor Local 1944 members aboard the fishing vessel Atlantic Destiny, when it caught fire and sank off the coast of Nova Scotia in March 2021.

“Our union remembers that day vividly and commends the bravery and skill of those receiving the Star of Courage,” said Unifor Atlantic Regional Director Jennifer Murray. “We send our sincere thanks to Warrant Officer Fernando Bianco and Sergeant Bradley Nisbet for rescuing the Atlantic Destiny crew and celebrate this recognition alongside them.”

Bianco and Nisbet were each awarded the Star of Courage by Canada’s Governor General Mary Simon at a ceremony held today at Rideau Hall.

As is often the case in the close-knit communities in the Atlantic, Star of Courage recipient Bradly Nisbet is the son-in-law to Kevin Touesnard, a retired member of Local 972 at Port Hawkesbury Paper.
“Workers are family in the Atlantic,” said Murray. “We look out for each other.”

The Atlantic Destiny was caught in high-wind conditions and 10-metre seas more than 200 nautical miles off the coast of Nova Scotia on March 2 when their vessel’s fire alarm sounded.

Watch this video about the rescue effort:

Members reported afterwards that no one panicked because their regular safety drills and training kicked in. All aboard immediately met on deck and went to work with fire extinguishers and a fire suppression grenade, but once the crew noticed the vessel’s engine room was taking on water, they issued a distress call that was answered by Unifor members at the Coast Guard Marine Communications and Traffic Services base in Halifax.

Other fishing vessels in nearby waters, including fellow Unifor members aboard the Maude Adams, rushed to support the rescue efforts.

Warrant Officer Bianco and Sergeant Nisbet were aboard the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) plane that deployed from CFB Greenwood. With the help of U.S. Coast Guard, they spent nearly eight hours in high winds and freezing cold seas to evacuate all 31 souls on board.

“Thirty-one sailors went home to their families because of the diligent, determined work done by a team that includes the brave RCAF members Bianco and Nisbet, the Unifor members on board FV Atlantic Destiny and the FV Maude Adams, and the Coast Guard dispatchers at Local 2182,” said Murray. “Working on the sea is made safer because of the brave workers like you who respond in emergencies.”

Local 1944 President Trevor Banfield said it was a daunting rescue mission in those conditions and the crew was fortunate to be in such good hands.

“It takes incredible strength and bravery to work on the ocean for a living,” said Banfield. “But it’s made easier when you know there are teams of good people willing to fight against weather, the dark and the cold, and anything else that gets thrown at them to save your life when things go wrong.”

Filed Under: Uncategorised

November 8, 2024 by 1996-O Executive

Bell divests in Canada to buy up American fibre optics network

November 6, 2024

 

TORONTO – The union representing Bell workers questions the decision by Bell Canada Enterprises Inc. (BCE), to acquire American company Ziply Fiber following a year of devastating cuts in Canada.

“With the announcement of this purchase, Bell sent a message to Canadian customers and employees. The market that built this company is no longer a priority. Bell has spent the past year divesting from Canadian sports, cutting Canadian telecom jobs and hollowing out Canadian newsrooms to drum up the cash for this American acquisition,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

In an internal memo to Bell workers on November 4, the company shared that, “Bell and Ziply Fiber are a great fit. We share a similar culture, vision and long-term strategy… Ziply Fiber also shares our critical commitment to putting the customer first in everything we do.”

“On the same day that the CBC shares the desperate complaints from Bell customers about underhanded fee increases, Bell claims to prioritize its customers? The company may not be, but Unifor members at Bell are committed to providing excellent services and growing with the company. We need Bell to include us in its vision for the future to do so,” said Unifor Quebec Director Daniel Cloutier.

“Based on Bell’s behaviour in Canada, I have a warning for workers at Ziply; when the dust settles from this deal, watch out for Bell’s tendency to slash jobs,” said Unifor National Secretary Treasurer. Len Poirier.

In early 2024 Unifor launched the Shame on Bell campaign to call on the company to stop its contracting out and offshoring of telecom jobs, stop slashing Canadian newsrooms and reduce dividend payouts to reinvest in employee wellbeing, infrastructure, and job security.

Filed Under: Uncategorised

November 8, 2024 by 1996-O Executive

Union Meeting

Wednesday, December, 18, 2024

7:30pm – 9:00pm

Unifor Local 112

30 Tangiers Road, Toronto, ON, M3J 2B2

Local meeting attendance has been low as of late, members had raised the following weekday suggested meeting as follows on a trial basis.

Filed Under: Uncategorised

October 4, 2024 by 1996-O Executive

Labour Market Insights – October 2024

Click the link below for the document

LMI October 2024-EN

Filed Under: Uncategorised

October 4, 2024 by 1996-O Executive

Bell continues to eliminate good jobs with round of cuts at Expertech

Unifor members rally in Ottawa earlier this year for the Shame on Bell campaign.

October 2, 2024

 

TORONTO/MONTREAL – Following Expertech’s move to cut 120 positions across Ontario and Quebec on October 1, Unifor is once again sounding the alarm about the hollowing out of good jobs at Bell Canada Enterprises Inc. (BCE Inc.) and its subsidiaries.

“It’s apparent to most everyone that Bell’s leadership, including Mirko Bibic, have no plan for the future of this company except to maximize shareholder dividends at the cost of everything else,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “They’re playing fast and loose not only with the livelihood of thousands of workers but with the future of Canada’s telecommunications and media industries.”

The job cuts will eliminate 18% of the unit’s 660-person membership, which is represented by more than 19 local unions located in both provinces. The cuts will first be made through a VSP (Voluntary Separation Program) as well as RIO’s (Retirement Incentive Offers).

“Today’s announcement showcases again how Bell is ambling towards a death by a thousand cuts. Unifor members at Bell and its subsidiaries care about the services they provide and want to be a part of a strong future for telecommunications, but the company has no such vision,” said Unifor Quebec Director Daniel Cloutier.

Unifor represents clerical workers and technicians at Expertech, a wholly owned subsidiary of BCE Inc. The members ratified a new collective agreement with the company in June 2024. The current 4-year agreements are backdated to December 1, 2023 and will be in effect until November 30, 2027.

“There is no reason why such a longstanding and profitable company should be unable to provide reliable, good jobs for its workers,” said Unifor National Secretary Treasurer Len Poirier. “Even in this instability one thing is certain- Unifor members fight back.” Unifor’s ‘Shame on Bell’ campaign aims to highlight the struggles faced by workers, including those at Bell Expertech. The campaign underscores the detrimental impact of Bell’s recent decisions to slash jobs, prioritizing profit margins over the well-being and livelihoods of its workforce.

Filed Under: Uncategorised

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