Latest news with #Unifor
Cision Canada
2 hours ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
Unifor calls for immediate Canadian countermeasures and investment protections as U.S. doubles steel and aluminum tariffs
TORONTO, June 4, 2025 /CNW/ - The decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to double tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum imports to 50% is a direct threat to Canadian jobs and economic stability. Unifor is urging the federal government to act without delay to defend Canada's manufacturing sector and counter the escalating trade assault. "These tariffs are killing investment in our steel, aluminum, and auto sectors, and we are already seeing the consequences in lost jobs and economic instability," said Unifor National President Lana Payne. "We need immediate and forceful action to defend good jobs and safeguard our national economic security." The 50% tariff, which came into effect today, doubles the previous 25% duty imposed on Canadian steel and aluminum imports since March 2025. Canada remains the largest supplier of both steel and aluminum to the United States. The U.S. imports approximately a quarter of its steel from Canadian suppliers, while half of all U.S. aluminum consumption originates from Canada. "These tariffs are a direct blow to aluminum workers in Quebec and across Canada," said Unifor Quebec Director Daniel Cloutier. "They threaten good union jobs and destabilize an industry that plays a critical role in the North American economy. By doubling tariffs on both aluminum and steel, the U.S. is undermining the reliable, high-quality supply it depends on from Canadian workers." These measures are part of Trump's ongoing misuse of Section 232 of the U.S. Trade Expansion Act, using national security justifications to impose punitive trade barriers. The increased metal tariffs follow the April 2 introduction of a 25% U.S. tariff on all vehicles manufactured outside the United States, including those made in Canada—despite a deeply integrated automotive supply chain and the near-balanced trade relationship between the two countries. This move directly violates both the spirit and letter of the CUSMA agreement and its automotive side letters. An additional 25% tariff remains in place based on unsubstantiated border and fentanyl claims. The cumulative effect is wreaking havoc on integrated supply chains, discouraging investment, and threatening jobs in Canada's steel, aluminum, automotive industries and other manufacturing industries. Soaring metal costs will drive up the price of cars, airplanes, and critical infrastructure, while putting thousands of jobs at risk and dealing a serious blow to manufacturing competitiveness on both sides of the border. Unifor is calling on the federal government to respond with urgency by: Enacting immediate retaliatory tariffs on U.S. steel and aluminum to match the 50% rate; Implementing new border measures to prevent unfairly traded or dumped foreign steel and aluminum from entering Canada; Temporarily halting exports of strategic metals to the U.S. and building a national stockpile reserve; Strengthening the Foreign Extraterritorial Measures Act (FEMA) to block companies from relocating Canadian jobs in response to U.S. pressure. "President Trump fails to understand the chaos and damage these tariffs will inflict on workers and consumers in both Canada and the U.S.," added Payne. "This is about economic sovereignty. Canada must respond with strength and urgency." Unifor warns that further threats by Trump to target aerospace, softwood lumber, energy, pharmaceuticals, microchips, copper, and Canada's film and entertainment sectors demonstrate the need for a broad-based industrial and trade defense strategy. "This is a defining moment," said Payne. "If we don't defend our industries now, we risk losing them for good." Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing 320,000 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.
Cision Canada
19 hours ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
Closure of CHAT-TV a loss for local journalism and Canadian media workers
MEDICINE HAT, AB, June 3, 2025 /CNW/ - The sudden closure of CHAT-TV in Medicine Hat, Alberta has resulted in the layoff of 16 Unifor media workers and the end of nearly seven decades of trusted local news programming. "The shuttering of CHAT-TV is not just the end of a station—it's the loss of a legacy in Canadian news," said Unifor National President Lana Payne. "At a time when disinformation spreads faster than facts and our sovereignty is challenged by foreign media dominance, we must act now. Canadian journalism is worth saving. We need immediate investment in local newsrooms—not more cuts." The decision by Pattison Media to shutter operations, effective immediately, is the latest blow to Canadian journalism and underscores a crisis that continues to deepen in communities across the country. "This is about more than job loss—it's about the disappearance of our local voice and the stories that bind our communities," said Unifor Local 1010 President Andrew Parry. "For generations, CHAT-TV told the stories of Medicine Hat. The closure leaves a dangerous void and risks turning our city into another news desert where critical local coverage is simply no longer available." The shutdown comes after efforts by Pattison Media to streamline operations and cut costs. The company cited insurmountable financial pressures and the erosion of advertising revenue for local TV as key factors in the decision. CHAT-TV has served Medicine Hat for 68 years, offering local news, weather, and sports, and providing a platform for community connection. The loss of this station is not just a blow to the workers who have dedicated their careers to public service journalism—it is a significant step backward for democratic accountability and media diversity in Canada. Unifor continues to advocate for structural reforms to ensure the survival of Canadian journalism. The union has called on the federal government to implement and enforce stronger provisions in the Online Streaming Act that would require foreign streamers operating in Canada to contribute to local news production, just as domestic broadcasters must. Increased sustainable funding for dedicated news funds remain essential to secure the future of local journalism. "The closure of CHAT-TV is heartbreaking, but it's not an isolated case. This is happening in community after community," added Payne. "If we continue to lose local news, we lose a cornerstone of democracy." Unifor represents more than 10,000 media workers across Canada, including journalists and broadcast technicians who work daily to inform, educate, and empower their communities. Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing 320,000 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.
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Closure of CHAT-TV a loss for local journalism and Canadian media workers
MEDICINE HAT, AB, June 3, 2025 /CNW/ - The sudden closure of CHAT-TV in Medicine Hat, Alberta has resulted in the layoff of 16 Unifor media workers and the end of nearly seven decades of trusted local news programming. "The shuttering of CHAT-TV is not just the end of a station—it's the loss of a legacy in Canadian news," said Unifor National President Lana Payne. "At a time when disinformation spreads faster than facts and our sovereignty is challenged by foreign media dominance, we must act now. Canadian journalism is worth saving. We need immediate investment in local newsrooms—not more cuts." The decision by Pattison Media to shutter operations, effective immediately, is the latest blow to Canadian journalism and underscores a crisis that continues to deepen in communities across the country. "This is about more than job loss—it's about the disappearance of our local voice and the stories that bind our communities," said Unifor Local 1010 President Andrew Parry. "For generations, CHAT-TV told the stories of Medicine Hat. The closure leaves a dangerous void and risks turning our city into another news desert where critical local coverage is simply no longer available." The shutdown comes after efforts by Pattison Media to streamline operations and cut costs. The company cited insurmountable financial pressures and the erosion of advertising revenue for local TV as key factors in the decision. CHAT-TV has served Medicine Hat for 68 years, offering local news, weather, and sports, and providing a platform for community connection. The loss of this station is not just a blow to the workers who have dedicated their careers to public service journalism—it is a significant step backward for democratic accountability and media diversity in Canada. Unifor continues to advocate for structural reforms to ensure the survival of Canadian journalism. The union has called on the federal government to implement and enforce stronger provisions in the Online Streaming Act that would require foreign streamers operating in Canada to contribute to local news production, just as domestic broadcasters must. Increased sustainable funding for dedicated news funds remain essential to secure the future of local journalism. "The closure of CHAT-TV is heartbreaking, but it's not an isolated case. This is happening in community after community," added Payne. "If we continue to lose local news, we lose a cornerstone of democracy." Unifor represents more than 10,000 media workers across Canada, including journalists and broadcast technicians who work daily to inform, educate, and empower their communities. Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing 320,000 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. SOURCE Unifor View original content to download multimedia: Sign in to access your portfolio
Cision Canada
a day ago
- General
- Cision Canada
Unifor to hold media availability outside N.B. Legislature calling for action on Intimate Partner Violence
FREDERICTON, NB, June 3, 2025 /CNW/ - Unifor will hold a media availability outside the N.B. Legislature as the union leads a one-day Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Symposium to work with frontline service providers in the province to demand strong leadership from the provincial government. "Unifor is building strong policy demands that recognize the important work of frontline service providers and the action owed to survivors and their families by calling for the New Brunswick government to address the epidemic of Intimate Partner Violence," said Unifor Atlantic Regional Director Jennifer Murray. "We're ready to see New Brunswick lead by tabling legislation to declare IPV an epidemic which will open new avenues for much-needed funding and action." Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing 320,000 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.
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Unifor to hold media availability outside N.B. Legislature calling for action on Intimate Partner Violence
FREDERICTON, NB, June 3, 2025 /CNW/ - Unifor will hold a media availability outside the N.B. Legislature as the union leads a one-day Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Symposium to work with frontline service providers in the province to demand strong leadership from the provincial government. "Unifor is building strong policy demands that recognize the important work of frontline service providers and the action owed to survivors and their families by calling for the New Brunswick government to address the epidemic of Intimate Partner Violence," said Unifor Atlantic Regional Director Jennifer Murray. "We're ready to see New Brunswick lead by tabling legislation to declare IPV an epidemic which will open new avenues for much-needed funding and action." WHERE: March from outside the Crowne Plaza Hotel (659 Queen St, Fredericton) to the New Brunswick Legislature (706 Queen Street, Fredericton) for stand-up avail WHEN: Tuesday, June 3, 2025, 12:00 – 12:45 p.m. WHO: Jennifer Murray, Unifor Atlantic Regional Director; union members Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing 320,000 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. SOURCE Unifor View original content to download multimedia:
