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New Deal For Sioux Towers Workers

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A new contract has been ratified by unionized members with the District of Kenora Home for the Aged at Sioux Towers in Sioux Lookout.

The 20 workers voted 100% in favour of the three year deal.

The contract provides 1.5% wage increases, up to $.15 increase in shift differentials, $100 eye examination coverage, new 75% top maternity/paternity leave top up and a number of key language improvements.

The new contract that runs from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021.

Unifor Local National Representative Stephen Boon says their members understand the funding challenges facing the sector and are pleased with the monetary and language improvements in the collective agreement.

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New Deal For Princess Court Workers

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Unionized workers at Princess Court in Dryden have agreed to a new 3-year contract with the District of Kenora Home for the Aged.

96% of Unifor members have voted in favour of the deal.

The agreement impacts 120 individuals.

The contract provides 1.5% annual wage increases as well as up to 15 cent increases in shift differentials, $100 eye exam coverage, expanded vacation flexibility and new employer contribution towards annual fitness memberships.

A number of key language improvements were also made and the contract runs from June 1st, 2019 to May 31st, 2022.

Local National Unifor representative Stephen Boon says “Our members understand the funding challenges facing the sector and as indicated by the strong ratification vote results, they were very satisfied with the improvements secured in this new contract.”

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New Contract For Community Living Workers

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Unionized workers with Community Living have a new three year contract.

70 members of Unifor in Dryden voted 93% in favour of the deal, while 45 members in Sioux Lookout voted 100%.

Community Living provides all levels of support for individuals living in both communities.

The agreement provides a wage hike of 4.5% over the course of the deal.

It also includes a new single staffing 50-cent per hour premium, improved bereavement leave and expanded paid personal leave.

Unifor Local National representative Stephen Boon says “despite province wide funding cuts and ongoing austerity measures, we were pleased to have once again secured solid contracts for 115 Unifor members at Community Living Dryden-Sioux Lookout. Our members understand the provincial funding challenges in the sector and were clearly pleased to secure fair contract improvements while still maintaining a very cooperative working relationship with CLD-SL Management.”

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Fundraising Craft Market For Hoshizaki House

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The Unifor Women’s Committee-Local 324 is raising money for the women’s shelter in Dryden.

A Women Supporting Women Craft Market is being held at the old Ukrainian Hall tomorrow (Saturday) from 10:00am until 2:00pm.

Proceeds from table rentals will support the Hoshizaki House.

Carol Jolicouer is Chair of the Committee and she is organizing the event.

“Women’s Committee started supporting Hoshizaki House about two years ago when we formed. We feel that the women’s shelter for women and children is very important in all towns, all areas, all across Ontario and Canada.”

There will be food vendors, baking, personal care products an numerous other items for sale.

 

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Unifor Throwing Its Support Behind Bob Nault

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A major endorsement for the Liberal candidate in the Kenora riding just before the Federal election.

Unifor has thrown its support behind incumbent Bob Nault.

The union represents about 1,500 members across the Kenora district.

Local National Representative Stephen Boon says Nault’s experience has been critical as Canada has navigated a contentious trade dispute with the United States.

Boon says with the last major trade hurdle related to the softwood lumber dispute rearing its ugly head, it is now critical to have proven, pragmatic leaders like Nault in Ottawa with the proven experience that is essential to effectively representing the North’s interests.

Boon adds they have also been impressed with his ability to break down partisan walls as work with all constituents, whether it be big business, organized labour or Indigenous groups.

He states Nault has collaborated with Unifor and other unions to better the lives of working people.

 

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Local ParaMed Workers Vote In Favour Of Strike Action

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Unifor members at ParaMed in Dryden, Red Lake and Ear Falls have voted 100% in favour of strike action.

The 30 employees have been without a contract since June 1st, 2018.

ParaMed is a private for-profit company that provides health and home support services across the region.

Local National Representative Stephen Boon says the sad reality is private home care workers remain some of the lowest paid health care professionals in the province.

Boon says he plans to meet with the employer one last time in conciliated talks in late October and if they are unable to reach a fair deal at that point, his members are prepared to take strike action by mid-November.

He adds there has been a serious breakdown in negotiations and the members in Dryden, Ear Falls and Red Lake are becoming frustrated with both the slow pace of talks and the refusal of the employer to provide a fair monetary package in line with other health care workers in the region.

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Province Asked To Act And Help Save Fort Frances Mill

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Time is of the essence to act and get the idled Fort Frances Mill back to producing pulp and paper.

Unifor is calling on the provincial government to get involved and support the community and the forest industry.

Local National Representative Stephen Boon says there was a belief that Resolute Forest Products was being cooperative and was truly interested in selling the facility if the right buyer came out.

Boon says restrictions contained in a sale agreement to sell the mill to Riversedge Developments clearly restricts a buyer to produce pulp and paper, essentially killing the mill.

He adds the government can’t shame a company to do the right thing, but they can apply pressure.

“The province continues their wood licensing, the province controls their regulations, their road money going forward, wood consumption. All of those kind of things are controlled and obviously because of the loans that were forgiven, the province at the end of the day carries a big stick and can also work with Resolute to make it whole.”

Boon is urging the government to quickly intervene, noting re-starting the mill would see 600 direct jobs restored by next year.

“We’ve lost almost 15 permanent closures in the region in the last 15 years. The wood is there. To create a new mill from scratch is just not financially viable for most companies because it would be in the hundreds of millions of dollars if not billions of dollars.”

Boon notes Resolute has received millions of dollars from the province yet has rejected every proposal for renewed mill operations and instead sold the mill property to the re-purposing company.

Boon says once Riversedge Developments starts taking equipment out, that mill will be worth nothing.

He states there’s a growing movement towards producing brown paper, stressing the facility is perfectly fitted for that new reality.

Unifor says it shares the concerns of the people of Fort Frances over the poor outcomes experienced at some of Riversedge’s other former industrial properties, including the recent leaning toward a half-baked marijuana grow-op scheme.

To hear more from Stephen Boon, visit the Audio link below.

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Unifor Sticking With Jerry Dias

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The largest union in Canada representing the private sector continues to have confidence with its President.

Jerry Dias has been acclaimed to the top job for Unifor.

He says “I am energized to continue leading this great union. We still have a lot of work to do, the fight for social justice does not stop, and we have a great leadership team to take us through the next three years.”

This will be his third and final three year term.

Lana Payne was chosen as Secretary-Treasurer.

Local and national officials have been in Quebec City this week for the Unifor convention.

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Dryden Unifor Supporting Three Causes

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Dryden Unifor Locals have donated $3,000 to three charitable initiatives.

Local 105 has made a $500 donation to the Dryden Regional Health Centre and another $500 to the Dryden Recreation Extension and Modification Committee.

President Elton Wall says the two provide vital services to the entire community and they are pleased to assist them in performing their important work.

The Local represents 225 production, trades and office workers at the Domtar Mill in Dryden.

Unifor Local 324 has also donated $2,000 to help sponsor four athletes attending the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in Thunder Bay next February.

The Local represents over 1,000 members in diverse workplaces at area mills and woodlands operations as well as 130 developmental service workers at Community Living Dryden-Sioux Lookout.

President George Smith says their members know first hand how important the Special Olympics is and they are pleased to help sponsor athletes as they strive to excel this winter at the games.