Canada’s air transportation workers were stunned by U.S. President Donald Trump’s unprovoked and illegal trade war and his inflammatory comments threatening Canada’s sovereignty.
From the potential for a recession to the reorganization of travel away from the U.S., the actions of this U.S. administration have the potential to seriously impact our industry and the global economy.
MONTREAL— Unifor’s VIA Rail master bargaining committees are preparing to conduct strike votes after a disappointing week of negotiations failed to move the employer off major concessions that threaten job security and working conditions.
VIA Rail refuses to move on concessions; strike votes begin
Dear Members,
Council 4000 and Local 100 master bargaining committees met with VIA Rail from May 6 to 9 under the conciliation process. What unfolded at the table this week was a complete failure by the employer to bargain seriously or respectfully.
TORONTO – Unifor expects engagement from Bell Canada about the impact that the introduction of new cloud and workforce automation brand, Ateko, will have on workers.
The announcement of the new tech services brand is an indication of a digital shift in the company that leaves many questions unanswered for workers who have faced continual rounds of layoffs.
BURNABY—Unifor is raising serious concerns about the sale of one of British Columbia’s last remaining oil refineries to American energy giant Sunoco. The refinery is part of a larger list of assets across Canada being sold from Parkland to Sunoco.
DURHAM, Ont.—Unifor is warning the community of potential strike action by First Student school bus drivers servicingelementary and high school students in Whitby and Ajax in Durham Region.
Unifor welcomes the Hudson Bay Company’s (HBC) decision to restore commission to workers following a grievance filed by the union claiming that the move violated legally binding collective agreements. Unifor also doubles down on its call for HBC to pay its legal severance obligations to workers.
“The message that HBC is sending to workers is that if they could get away with paying them less, they would,” says Unifor National President Lana Payne. “HBC is not above the law, and we will not let them get away with shortchanging workers.”
“The politics of this country need us: they need our vision, they need our experiences, and they need our voice,” says Unifor National President Lana Payne to #ARC2025 delegates in St. John’s.
Watch highlights from Atlantic Regional Director Jennifer Murray's remarks to delegates at the Atlantic Regional Council in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador.
Unifor welcomes the decision by the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) to uphold anti-dumping and countervailing duties on silicon metal from China. The decision, announced April 30, 2025, protects hundreds of jobs in Canada, notably at the Silicium Québec plant in Bécancour, where workers are represented by Unifor.
U.S. President Donald Trump is focusing on Canada’s film industry in his latest attack on Canadian jobs, ordering the U.S. Department of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to begin the process of imposing a 100% tariff on movies produced outside the United States.
"Once again, President Trump is using bogus national security claims to justify punishing tariffs against Canadian workers," said Unifor National President Lana Payne. "This is an attack on one of Canada’s key cultural and economic sectors, and it’s nothing short of outrageous."
From May 12 to 18, we mark National Nursing Week by recognizing the essential role nurses play in delivering and defending public health care across Canada.
Atlantic Regional Council delegates kicked things off with a May Day rally, marching in the brisk air through downtown St. John’s holding flags, signs and banners bearing three important words: Protect Canadian Jobs.
Workers at Select Finishing in Wallaceburg, Ont., which provides custom coatings for metals and plastics, including on vehicles, are celebrating being new members at Unifor.
“Every new unit in the Independent Auto Parts Supplier Sector (IPS) is great news,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
“One of the best ways for workers to protect and improve their jobs is to form a union, especially those in industries that are feeling the largest threat of Trump’s tariffs. We thank you for choosing us to have your back.”
DURHAM—Members of Unifor Local 4268, who are First Student Bus drivers in Bowmanville, Ontario, have voted 87% in favour of ratifying a new three-year contract from their employer.
“Congratulations to the bargaining committee for helping our members address the key important issues, including making a living wage,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
Members of Unifor Local 666 working at the Niobec mine in the Saguenay region went on strike on May 1, following a deadlock in negotiations to renew their collective agreement.
On April 24, members had voted 99% in favor of a strike mandate, clearly expressing their desire to obtain a fair agreement, particularly regarding wage adjustments to reflect the rising cost of living.
Unifor is calling for swift action following General Motors’ announcement that it plans to reduce its Oshawa Assembly Plant from a three shift to a two shift operation this fall, citing Trump imposed tariffs.
TORONTO—Unifor Local 2488 members at Native Child and Family Services of Toronto have ratified a new three-year collective agreement that delivers steady wage increases and important improvements to working conditions for 300 frontline and support workers.
Unifor's Lana Payne and Samia Hashi led a rally of thousands of workers, activists and allies in Windsor to defend Canadian jobs, stand strong against Trump's economic war on our country and build a stronger, more resilient Canadian economy.
Unifor members and staff joined more than 600 participants at 20th anniversary of the annual Steps for Life walk in Toronto’s Coronation Park on April 27 to mark the National Day of Mourning. The event, organized by Threads of Life, honours workers who have died or been injured on the job and supports their families.
Unifor Quebec Council focused on solidarity, mobilization and the future as delegates met April 23 to 25, 2025, in Trois-Rivières.
Under the dynamic chairmanship of Sophie Albert,the first day of the Council kicked off with the report of Quebec Director Daniel Cloutier.,. In a rousing speech, Cloutier took the opportunity to warmly thank the members for their confidence during his first term andreiterated the crucial importance of solidarity.
May 5 is Red Dress Day—a day of remembrance and solidarity for the missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirited people (MMIWG2S), and a time to renew the union's collective commitment to justice.
The Unifor Brink’s Pre-Bargaining Conference took place April 28 and 29 at the national office in Toronto, where delegates from Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec discussed proposals from the locals to prepare for negotiations with the armoured car company later this year.
Unifor National President Lana Payne told members with the world rapidly changing, the uncertainty stemming from the ongoing U.S. trade war makes things tougher for workers. But the glue that will keep worker power strong is solidarity and investing in a Made-in-Canada industrial fightback.
TORONTO— U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest executive order to phase in new tariffs on auto parts is part of a continued attack on Canada’s auto sector and the tens of thousands of workers it supports.
VANCOUVER—More than 200 unionized workers at Vancouver’s exclusive Arbutus Club have begun job action for fair wages.
“The affordability crisis is front and centre with this labour dispute,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “The Arbutus Club caters to the city's wealthiest clientele. Surely it can afford to pay the employees a decent, liveable wage.”
The club, which charges tens of thousands of dollars in initiation fees, includes high-profile elites such as Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim and Vancouver Canucks owner Francesco Aquilini.
TORONTO – Unifor congratulates Liberal leader Mark Carney on his election and urges him to swiftly take action to build a stronger, more resilient Canadian economy for working people in light of the trade war with the U.S.
May Day is more than a celebration of past victories—it’s a call to action. A day to recommit ourselves to the struggle for justice, dignity and fairness for the working class and to draw strength from the collective power of working people everywhere.
This year, we mark May 1 under the shadow of escalating attacks on working people. We must remain vigilant against the stripping of union rights, slashing of public services, and the targeting of the most vulnerable workers—especially migrants—with policies rooted in exploitation and division.
Accessibility
Documents can be requested in alternative/accessible formats by emailing communications@unifor.org
