Latest news with #GavinMcGarrigle
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
B.C. Labour Board certifies union at Amazon facility in Delta, B.C., Unifor says
Workers at an Amazon fulfilment centre in Delta, B.C., have been officially certified to unionize, after the B.C. Labour Relations Board found the company engaged in unfair labour practices that interfered with the unionization process. The union had applied to certify the facility for unionization last year, but the results of that vote were sealed due to an unfair labour practices complaint the union filed, alleging Amazon ramped up hiring to try to dilute union support. Following 18 days of hearings, the board on Thursday ruled that Amazon's "deliberate, calculated, and pervasive" anti-union campaign undermined the possibility of a fair vote, and granted Unifor certification through a rare remedial order that's used when employer misconduct compromises the integrity of a vote. "We're very happy for the Amazon workers that have been fighting so hard to get access to collective bargaining and a fair collective agreement," said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor's western regional director. Unifor filed its first application for union certification in April 2024, then withdrew it shortly after. A second application was filed in May. According to the Labour Board's decision, Amazon brought in 148 new employees between March and June 2024 — a period that overlapped with both certification attempts. The board found this influx, along with a coordinated anti-union campaign, substantially impacted the unionization process. Unifor alleged Amazon ramped up hiring and flooded workers with anti-union messaging, including suggestions that they could lose existing benefits if they unionized. In its ruling, the board found the company had violated B.C.'s Labour Relations Code. WATCH | Former Amazon workers urging Quebec government for more support after layoffs: "I find Amazon hired unnecessary employees, which had both the impact and purpose of impeding the Union's organizing drive," board vice-chair Gurleen Sahota said in his decision. The document describes ways the company tried to persuade employees away from unionizing, including the corporation's practice of "pulsing" wherein in it assesses culture, leadership and employee satisfaction at its sites. The process includes meeting with employees one-on-one and asking them questions about their experiences at the workplace and "educating them on Amazon's policies and procedures." "Employees were subjected to 'pulsing' by managers from various sites and a constant barrage of materials and carefully constructed anti-union messaging by Amazon…the messaging made the Union look like a bad thing," reads the decision. The certification makes the Delta warehouse only the third Amazon facility in North America to unionize following one in Staten Island, N.Y., in 2022 and another in Laval, Que., in 2024. The Laval warehouse, which employed about 230 workers, was the first Amazon site in Canada to unionize. However, the company shut down all seven of its facilities in Quebec in January 2025, citing cost savings. Thousands of workers have yet to receive proper severance or assistance, according to the union representing them. McGarrigle acknowledged Amazon's history of resisting unions, but said B.C. has stronger labour protections. "We've seen what Amazon's done in other jurisdictions…but the B.C. labour laws are strong," he said. "We're going to expect Amazon to follow the law and sit down and get into collective bargaining with us." Workers have raised concerns about unstable employment and safety at the Delta facility, he said. "Doesn't matter the size of the employer, they'll have to follow the law and they gotta take care of their workers and we're going to make sure that that happens," McGarrigle said. Amazon to appeal Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said in a statement Friday the company will challenge the decision. "This decision is wrong on the facts and the law…it goes against what our employees have said they want, and deprives them of their right to make an informed decision," she wrote. Nantel said the board overstepped by certifying the union rather than "giving our employees a chance to be heard." Mark Thompson, a professor emeritus of industrial relations at UBC's Sauder School of Business, said the board's decision is rooted in a long-standing provision of the B.C. Labour Code. Thompson said when a company's actions make a fair vote unlikely, the board can impose certification outright. "The theory is that if the company fights the union hard enough, the result is they get a union," he said. "The techniques that Amazon used were such that a vote wouldn't yield a fair result." Still, he warned that certification is only the beginning of what could be a long and difficult process. Amazon's other unionized workforce in North America, certified in Staten Island, N.Y. in 2022, still does not have a contract. "It's characteristic of Amazon, they do not want a union and they resort to many tactics to avoid having a union," Thompson said. "It will be a long haul for the workers and I'm sure they understood that this would be a long fight."
Cision Canada
09-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Unifor members initiate strike action at Cascade Aerospace
ABBOSTFORD, BC, July 9, 2025 /CNW/ - At noon Pacific time today, approximately 280 highly skilled members of Unifor Local 114 walked off the job at Cascade Aerospace, initiating strike action after the company failed to reach an agreement with the union. Unifor represents workers at the Abbotsford facility including Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs), interior technicians, painters, stores and maintenance staff, planning clerks, sheet–metal mechanics, and others. Workers at the facility perform critical maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) work on a wide range of military and civilian aircraft. That includes heavy maintenance for the Royal Canadian Air Force's C–130 Hercules fleet—aircraft that are essential to Canada's defence, humanitarian, and disaster–response missions. "Our members maintain the kind of aircraft Canada depends on in times of crisis—from wildfires to humanitarian missions," said Unifor National President Lana Payne. "All they ask for is to be treated with respect and to be paid what they're worth. It's time for Cascade Aerospace to recognize the skill, dedication, and service our members provide is indispensable." Unifor Local 114 members previously voted 95% in favour of strike action on June 2 2025, and are on strike for wage improvements that would bring compensation at Cascade Aerospace in line with comparable jobs across the aerospace sector. "The jobs our members do are among the most advanced industrial jobs in the country," said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director. "Cascade Aerospace must recognize how important our members are to their business and pay industry–standard wages. Supporting good aerospace jobs in Abbotsford helps support families, our community and strengthens the entire regional economy." The strike action follows weeks of difficult negotiations between the union and the company. Both parties negotiated until the deadline, however, Cascade Aerospace failed to table an offer to the union's bargaining team that would satisfy the union's request for compensation in line with industry standards and the realities of increased living costs. "Our jobs are here in BC and our members regularly work under very tight maintenance check timelines. The high quality of work our members perform on these aircraft is what has created Cascade's reputation in the aerospace industry and in becoming only one of two Lockheed Martin C130J authorized heavy maintenance centers in the world," said Steve Frank, Unifor Local 114 Plant Chair at Cascade Aerospace. "Our demands are reasonable and straightforward: we want the same fair wages our colleagues make so we can continue to do our jobs with dignity and take pride in that the work we do is valued by this company." Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing 320,000 workers in every major area of the economy, including more than 10,000 workers in Canada's aerospace industry. 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
06-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Sheraton Vancouver Guildford workers on strike for fair wages
SURREY, BC, July 5, 2025 /CNW/ - More than 140 hotel workers at the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford hotel began strike action today after failing to reach a fair collective agreement with their employer. "Our members deserve better and are trying to catch up," said Unifor National President Lana Payne. "These workers kept the doors open during some of the most challenging years in hospitality. Now, they're standing together to demand better wages in the face of a skyrocketing cost of living in the Lower Mainland. This strike is about fairness, respect, and economic justice." Unifor Local 3000 members at the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford have been without a contract since April 2024. After more than a year of bargaining, workers voted to reject a tentative agreement and began legal strike action at 5:30 p.m. Pacific on July 5,2025. "This hotel runs because of our members—and they're done waiting for a fair deal," said Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle. "They're taking a stand not just for themselves, but for all hospitality workers who deserve better pay and respect on the job." The Sheraton Vancouver Guildford is owned by Pacific Reach Properties, a Vancouver-based investment firm with holdings in real estate, hospitality, healthcare, and tech. The company outsources its labour negotiations to Hospitality Industrial Relations (HIR), a third-party group that bargains on behalf of hotel operators across the province. "Wages at this hotel have flatlined while rent, groceries, and gas have soared," said Adrian Burnett, President of Unifor Local 3000. "Our members are scraping by while a wealthy ownership group tries to nickel-and-dime them. This strike is the direct result of that imbalance." Unifor Local 3000 represents 120 full-time and 24 part-time workers at the hotel, including room attendants, front desk staff, banquet servers, kitchen workers, and maintenance workers. The union says it remains open to productive talks but warns the strike will continue until a fair deal is on the table. 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: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Cision Canada
06-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Sheraton Vancouver Guildford workers on strike for fair wages
SURREY, BC, July 5, 2025 /CNW/ - More than 140 hotel workers at the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford hotel began strike action today after failing to reach a fair collective agreement with their employer. "Our members deserve better and are trying to catch up," said Unifor National President Lana Payne. "These workers kept the doors open during some of the most challenging years in hospitality. Now, they're standing together to demand better wages in the face of a skyrocketing cost of living in the Lower Mainland. This strike is about fairness, respect, and economic justice." Unifor Local 3000 members at the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford have been without a contract since April 2024. After more than a year of bargaining, workers voted to reject a tentative agreement and began legal strike action at 5:30 p.m. Pacific on July 5,2025. "This hotel runs because of our members—and they're done waiting for a fair deal," said Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle. "They're taking a stand not just for themselves, but for all hospitality workers who deserve better pay and respect on the job." The Sheraton Vancouver Guildford is owned by Pacific Reach Properties, a Vancouver-based investment firm with holdings in real estate, hospitality, healthcare, and tech. The company outsources its labour negotiations to Hospitality Industrial Relations (HIR), a third-party group that bargains on behalf of hotel operators across the province. "Wages at this hotel have flatlined while rent, groceries, and gas have soared," said Adrian Burnett, President of Unifor Local 3000. "Our members are scraping by while a wealthy ownership group tries to nickel-and-dime them. This strike is the direct result of that imbalance." Unifor Local 3000 represents 120 full-time and 24 part-time workers at the hotel, including room attendants, front desk staff, banquet servers, kitchen workers, and maintenance workers. The union says it remains open to productive talks but warns the strike will continue until a fair deal is on the table. 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
05-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Sheraton Vancouver Guildford workers prepare to strike
SURREY, BC, July 5, 2025 /CNW/ - Unifor Local 3000 members at the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel are preparing for strike action later today. "The employer has left us with no other choice," said Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle. "Our members are the heart of the hotel, and after more than a year without a fair agreement, they are prepared to strike to demand respect and fair wages." Unifor Local 3000 members voted to reject a tentative agreement with the company. The union will be in a legal strike position as of 12:45 p.m. Pacific on July 5, 2025. The bargaining unit includes 120 full-time and 24 part-time workers, who have been without a contract since April 2024. The Sheraton Vancouver Guildford is owned and operated by Pacific Reach Properties, a Vancouver-based investment firm with diverse holdings across real estate, hospitality, healthcare, and tech sectors. The company has sub-contracted human resources and collective bargaining responsibilities to Hospitality Industrial Relations (HIR), a Vancouver-based multi-employer group that negotiates on behalf of various hotel and tourism operators in British Columbia. "Wages at the Sheraton have failed to keep up with the rising cost of living in the Lower Mainland," said Adrian Burnett, President of Unifor Local 3000. "Our members are struggling to make ends meet while working for a hotel owned by a company with deep pockets. It's unacceptable." Unifor members voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action if necessary, sending a strong message to the employer that a fair deal must be secured. The union remains committed to negotiating an agreement at the table but is prepared to take strike action should an agreement not be reached. 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.
