Jerry Dias

Unifor members at Bombardier Aviation ratify collective agreement

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, July 31, 2021

TORONTO, July 31, 2021 /CNW/ - Unifor Local 112 and 673 members at Bombardier Aviation's Downsview plant have voted to ratify new three-year collective agreements.

Key Points: 
  • TORONTO, July 31, 2021 /CNW/ - Unifor Local 112 and 673 members at Bombardier Aviation's Downsview plant have voted to ratify new three-year collective agreements.
  • "These new agreements make significant progress on the key issues identified by our members, including pensions, and job security protections against out-sourcing and the use of contractors," said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.
  • The new collective agreement, which covers approximately 1,500 Bombardier Aviation workers, is in effect from June 23, 2021 to June 23, 2024.
  • Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy.

Rio Tinto smelter workers in Kitimat on strike

Retrieved on: 
Sunday, July 25, 2021

KITIMAT, BC, July 25, 2021 /CNW/ - Approximately 900 Rio Tinto workers at the company's aluminum smelting facilities in Kitimat, British Columbia are on strike as of 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time today.

Key Points: 
  • KITIMAT, BC, July 25, 2021 /CNW/ - Approximately 900 Rio Tinto workers at the company's aluminum smelting facilities in Kitimat, British Columbia are on strike as of 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time today.
  • Rio Tinto workers at the company's aluminum smelting plant in Kitimat are on strike as of 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time today.
  • "This strike comes down to Rio Tinto's greed and lack of respect for our hard-working members at the Kitimat smelting facilities," said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.
  • Unifor Local 2301 remains committed to resolving the labour dispute amicably and urges Rio Tinto management to reach a fair settlement with the union.

Unifor Serves Rio Tinto with 72 Hour Strike Notice

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 22, 2021

KITIMAT, BC, July 21, 2021 /CNW/ - After achieving a historic 100% strike vote result and nearly seven weeks of unproductive negotiations with Rio Tinto, Unifor Local 2301 has served the company with a 72-hour strike notice.

Key Points: 
  • KITIMAT, BC, July 21, 2021 /CNW/ - After achieving a historic 100% strike vote result and nearly seven weeks of unproductive negotiations with Rio Tinto, Unifor Local 2301 has served the company with a 72-hour strike notice.
  • After a historic strike vote and weeks of unproductive talks, Unifor serves Rio Tinto with a 72-hour strike notice.
  • "Unifor members' historic, unanimous, strike vote speaks volumes to the culture of disrespect and unfair treatment Rio Tinto has created over many years," said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.
  • "What is surprising is how, despite record-setting profits, Rio Tinto appears so unwilling to work with us and treat our members fairly."

Bargaining set to resume between Unifor, Bombardier and De Havilland

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, July 20, 2021

TORONTO, July 20, 2021 /CNW/ - Unifor is preparing to return to the bargaining table this week, ahead of a July 27 strike deadline, as talks are set to resume between the union, Bombardier Aerospace and De Havilland Aircraft of Canada (DHC).

Key Points: 
  • TORONTO, July 20, 2021 /CNW/ - Unifor is preparing to return to the bargaining table this week, ahead of a July 27 strike deadline, as talks are set to resume between the union, Bombardier Aerospace and De Havilland Aircraft of Canada (DHC).
  • Unifor Local 112 and Local 673 members at the Downsview plant currently manufacture the Global series business aircraft for Bombardier Aerospace and until recently, manufactured the Dash 8 turboprop aircraft for De Havilland Canada.
  • Approximately 1,500 Bombardier workers and 700 De Havilland workers are currently represented by Unifor Local 112 and Local 673 at the plant.
  • Key issues in the negotiations with Bombardier are workers' pensions, use of contractors and erosion of bargaining unit work.

Unifor welcomes agreement to save Terra Nova

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 17, 2021

"The investment in Terra Nova is a win for good jobs and a win for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador," said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.

Key Points: 
  • "The investment in Terra Nova is a win for good jobs and a win for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador," said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.
  • There were a lot of reasons to say 'yes' to renewing Terra Nova."
  • The federal government's response later that month provided momentum for operators and the provincial government to enter more serious discussions about a new arrangement for the Terra Nova.
  • There's ample evidence that this province's offshore industry is a good investment," said Dave Mercer, Unifor Local 2121 President.

Unifor releases plan to build better Employment Insurance in Canada

Retrieved on: 
Monday, June 14, 2021

TORONTO, June 14, 2021 /CNW/ - Unifor launched a broad vision for a more inclusive, equitable, and resilient Employment Insurance (EI) program for workers in Canada.

Key Points: 
  • TORONTO, June 14, 2021 /CNW/ - Unifor launched a broad vision for a more inclusive, equitable, and resilient Employment Insurance (EI) program for workers in Canada.
  • It's time for the federal government to rebuild the EI system so that all workers can rely on it," said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.
  • Rebuilding this social safety net is a key component of the union's plan to Build Back Better.
  • The union's campaign and corresponding paper focuses on necessary improvements in three key areas;
    Administration of the Employment Insurance System.

Unifor welcomes federal advisory panel's quarantine strategies as roadmap to travel recovery

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, June 2, 2021

TORONTO, June 2, 2021 /CNW/ -Unifor welcomes Health Canada's COVID-19 Testing and Screening Expert Advisory Panel's latest recommendations to optimize testing and quarantine at Canada's borders.

Key Points: 
  • TORONTO, June 2, 2021 /CNW/ -Unifor welcomes Health Canada's COVID-19 Testing and Screening Expert Advisory Panel's latest recommendations to optimize testing and quarantine at Canada's borders.
  • "We need to get Canada's aviation sector safely off the ground again," said Jerry Dias, Unifor's National President.
  • "These recommendations provide a road map to do just that, following science and good data."
  • Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy.

Dias calls for action in Mexico

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, May 27, 2021

TORONTO, May 27, 2021 /CNW/ - Unifor National President Jerry Dias told a media conference in Mexico City today that immediate and strong action is needed to ensure free and transparent union votes for Mexican workers.

Key Points: 
  • TORONTO, May 27, 2021 /CNW/ - Unifor National President Jerry Dias told a media conference in Mexico City today that immediate and strong action is needed to ensure free and transparent union votes for Mexican workers.
  • And it must be punished," Dias told the media conference by Zoom.
  • Reports out of Mexico include allegations of illegal vote tampering, ballot destruction and worker intimidation by the CTM union, halting a long-awaited ratification vote for roughly 6,000 workers at GM's truck plant in Central Mexico.
  • Dias said Unifor became involved with the renegotiation of NAFTA to address the issue of jobs moving to low-wage jurisdictions and unequal rights for workers.

WestJet workers join Unifor

Retrieved on: 
Friday, May 21, 2021

b'TORONTO, May 21, 2021 /CNW/ - In a major victory for hard-hit airline workers, 531 WestJet airport agents in Calgary and Vancouver are now members of Unifor, the Canada Industrial Relations Board has declared.\n"Today these workers have gained a voice in their workplace during a challenging time in their industry.

Key Points: 
  • b'TORONTO, May 21, 2021 /CNW/ - In a major victory for hard-hit airline workers, 531 WestJet airport agents in Calgary and Vancouver are now members of Unifor, the Canada Industrial Relations Board has declared.\n"Today these workers have gained a voice in their workplace during a challenging time in their industry.
  • WestJet workers are dedicated employees who have a great deal to offer as the airline moves forward," said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.\n"With the sale of their airline almost two years ago and the impact of the pandemic on all airlines over the past year, it is vital that workers have a voice in the future of this company.
  • In all, Unifor represents more than 16,000 workers across the airline industry, and has led the fight to push the federal government to create a national aviation plan , and has held rallies, presented to parliamentary committees and has actively lobbied fora national recovery plan for the sector that includes financial support for workers.\n"I am proud to work at WestJet, and proud to now be a member of Unifor.
  • WestJet grew as a company where workers were heard, and Unifor will help make sure that continue," said Sherwin Antonio a Customer Service Agent in Baggage at WestJet in Calgary.\n"We have been talking to WestJet workers across the country for some time, and support has always been strong.

/R E P E A T -- Unifor to announce major organizing win/

Retrieved on: 
Friday, May 21, 2021

b'TORONTO, May 20, 2021 /CNW/ -Unifor will be holding an online news conference this morning, streamed live on Facebook to announce a major organizing win in an industry battered by the COVID-19 pandemic.\n"It is always good news when workers join a union and during a pandemic the key to building back better will be for more workers to gain a voice in the workplace by joining a union," said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.\nUnifor\'s Organizing Department has been at the forefront of organizing online since the beginning of the pandemic, employing online membership cards, Zoom calls and more to reach out to workers hoping to join the union.\nWho: Unifor National President Jerry Dias, Unifor Organizing Director Kellie Scanlan, Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle and workers from the workplace joining Unifor\nThe news conference will be live streamed on Unifor\'s Facebook Page and a broadcast quality video of the event will be available for journalists to download after the event, upon request by email [email protected] .\nUnifor is Canada\'s largest union in the private sector and represents 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy.

Key Points: 
  • b'TORONTO, May 20, 2021 /CNW/ -Unifor will be holding an online news conference this morning, streamed live on Facebook to announce a major organizing win in an industry battered by the COVID-19 pandemic.\n"It is always good news when workers join a union and during a pandemic the key to building back better will be for more workers to gain a voice in the workplace by joining a union," said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.\nUnifor\'s Organizing Department has been at the forefront of organizing online since the beginning of the pandemic, employing online membership cards, Zoom calls and more to reach out to workers hoping to join the union.\nWho: Unifor National President Jerry Dias, Unifor Organizing Director Kellie Scanlan, Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle and workers from the workplace joining Unifor\nThe news conference will be live streamed on Unifor\'s Facebook Page and a broadcast quality video of the event will be available for journalists to download after the event, upon request by email [email protected] .\nUnifor is Canada\'s largest union in the private sector and represents 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy.
  • The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.\nInformation about the union\'s response to the pandemic, as well as resources for members can be found at unifor.org/covid19 .\n'