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Unifor rallies for striking Best Theratronics workers

Unifor members and supporters rallied with the PSAC and a delegation of locked-out Vidèotron workers from Gatineau at Best Theratronics, a nuclear facility in Kanata that manufactures medical equipment. 

Our union’s frustration grows with the company owner’s refusal to bargain a new collective agreement. 

Best Theratronics owner and proclaimed billionaire Krishnan Suthanthiran offered members a two-year wage freeze that workers wholeheartedly rejected. 

Unifor reaches tentative agreement with General Motors for CAMI workers

INGERSOLL- Unifor has reached a tentative collective agreement with General Motors that covers more than 1,300 members at the company’s CAMI Assembly and Battery Assembly facilities in Ingersoll, Ontario.

“Congratulations to our bargaining committee for their incredible work at the bargaining table. Every member of our team was instrumental in fighting for and winning this tentative agreement on behalf of all Unifor Local 88 members at CAMI,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.  

Unifor extends CAMI Assembly Plant negotiations with GM

INGERSOLL— Unifor is extending the negotiation deadline with General Motors (GM) on behalf of members of Unifor Local 88 at the CAMI Assembly plant and Battery Assembly facility in Ingersoll, Ontario beyond the current contract expiration at 10:59 p.m. today. 

B.C. forestry unions come together to “fight for our future” at UBCM

VANCOUVER—British Columbia's forestry workers will take part in the Union of B.C. Municipalities conference as part of a campaign to strengthen and secure good paying jobs in the industry.

“Dozens of local governments across the province are experiencing the difficulties of the forestry industry’s contraction,” said Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle. “We invite municipal leadership to be a part of the solution.”

Trench Ltd. electrical manufacturing workers go on strike

SCARBOROUGH, ONT.–The 180 members of Unifor Local 303 walked off the job Sept. 14, just after midnight after their employer, Trench Ltd. refused to negotiate sufficient wage and benefit improvements.  

“We stand by the bargaining committee and our members as they continue to fight for the needs that matter most to them,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.  “These are workers who are responsible for providing materials for public sector electrical utilities and they deserve good jobs and fair wages. We won’t stop until the employer recognizes that.”

Mississauga Walmart workers join Unifor

TORONTO—Workers at Walmart’s Mississauga warehouse have voted to join Unifor, Canada’s largest private sector union. It is Walmart’s first warehouse to unionize in Canada.

"This victory is the result of uniting around a belief in workplace democracy and better working conditions,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Walmart workers in Mississauga stood up for their rights, and we are excited to get to work on their first collective agreement.”

Unifor members at Goodwill ratify first contract

The new three-year agreement includes significant improvements to wages, benefits including vacation, health and safety language, a new grievance procedure, paid education leave, and new Women’s Advocate and Racial Justice Advocate positions. 

Best Theratronics workers’ voices get louder for employer to get back to the table as strike hits 19-week mark

KANATA, ONT.—Unifor members on strike at Best Theratronics held a rally today outside of the Kanata facility, continuing to stand in solidarity to demand their employer stop violating laws and return to the bargaining table.

“Nothing makes my blood boil more than when employers threaten workers’ livelihoods, blatantly violate labour laws, and refuse to respect workers right to a union. This is Canada. Workers have rights,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

Lancaster House extends its First Resort program trial date for locals

Unifor understands that Local Unions are deeply involved in the grievance and arbitration system while representing their members. Part of this involves research, and access to available databases can be very costly.

That’s why the union has teamed up with Lancaster House to offer locals access to an annual subscription to their First Resort service at a reduced price, as a tool to help with the arbitration process.

Media Advisory: Union vote at Walmart begins with Unifor solidarity action

MISSISSAUGA—Workers at Walmart’s warehouse facility will begin voting to join Unifor Tuesday, September 10. 

“Hundreds of workers at Walmart are demanding safer work, better pay, and improved benefits,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “A vote for the union this week is the best way for workers to get a level playing field with a corporate giant.”

Trench Ltd. electrical manufacturing workers vote 99% to strike

Workers at electrical manufacturer Trench Ltd. in Scarborough, Ont. have made a clear decision to strike if a deal isn’t made by midnight next Saturday.

“The members have expressed their strong support for the bargaining committee by giving them a 99% strike mandate,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

“Strike action is something our union doesn’t take lightly, but we will fight for the needs of our members.”

Major wage gains for Unifor members at the Hotel Grand Pacific

VICTORIA—Wages will increase at least 16.3% over the next three years thanks to a new collective agreement ratified this evening by members of Unifor Local 114 at the Hotel Grand Pacific.

“Unifor members are setting a high standard in the hospitality sector,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “We look forward to building on what Local 114 has achieved at the Hotel Grand Pacific.”

9,000-member NS health care unit reaches tentative agreement

The Council of Health Care Unions reached a tentative agreement with the IWK and the Nova Scotia Health Authority following 15 days of bargaining over the span of many months.

The deal was reached at 4:30 a.m. Friday, August 30 following a marathon round of bargaining. 

Unifor members march in Toronto Labour Day Parade

Hundreds of Unifor members, activists, allies, friends and family turned out for the 2024 Toronto Labour Day Parade to celebrate Unifor's incredible victories for working class people and show that when we fight, we win!

Unifor files application to represent workers at Walmart warehouse

TORONTO—Workers at Walmart in Mississauga are one step closer to forming a strong union in their workplace after Unifor filed an application today to the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB).

"Workers at Walmart deserve greater job security, health and safety protections, and fair wages,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Today is an important step towards these goals.”

Labour Day celebrations highlight organizing and ongoing fight for workers’ rights

Unifor participated in Labour Day parades and events across Canada today, sending the strong message that this is the time to fight for workers, whether it’s at bargaining tables, on picket lines or in the streets.

In her uplifting speech in Toronto, Unifor National President Lana Payne welcomed the thousands of new members who joined the union since last Labour Day.

Lana Payne 2024 Labour Day Message

“This Labour Day comes at a time when workers are organizing and fighting for justice everywhere, at bargaining tables, on picket lines, and in the streets.” Watch Unifor National President Lana Payne’s message for Labour Day 2024. 

Solidarity action at Best Theratronics bolsters striking members

Unifor members and community supporters united this week at a solidarity action to bolster Local 1541 members on strike at Best Theratronics since May 1, 2024. 

“It’s been 118 days too long. We’re here to send a message to this employer that we’re here to fight,” Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi told striking workers and supporters at the action. 

Unifor brings Wescast workers voices to meeting with Ontario Labour Minister David Piccini over $10 million unpaid severance dispute

Today, Unifor leadership met with Ontario Minister of Labour David Piccini and senior ministerial staff to update the government on the ongoing dispute at Wescast Industries in Wingham, Ontario. The meeting was held as part of Unifor’s continuing efforts to resolve the dispute between the union and the company’s owners, Bohong Industries Group in China over approximately $10 million in unpaid severance and termination pay owed to nearly 200 workers. 

Residence Inn strike ends with new contract ratification

VANCOUVER—Members of Unifor Local 433 have won their fight for fair wage increases and safer working conditions, ending a three-week long strike at Vancouver’s Residence Inn.

“Fighting back works,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Unifor members at the Residence Inn have demonstrated again that union solidarity can help win significant contract gains.”