"Every day we fight at the bargaining table to improve lives. That's our daily bread. But it's not enough." Quebec Director Daniel Cloutier at Unifor Canadian Council.
"This is more than a trade war. It is a war against working people." National President Lana Payne, opening Unifor Canadian Council in Ottawa with a call to defend good union jobs and Canadian industry.
Lana Payne said Unifor will not be “giving up or giving in” as the trade war with the U.S. continues to escalate.
Addressing delegates on the first day of Unifor’s 2026 Canadian Council in Ottawa, the union’s National President repeatedly returned to solidarity as the answer to efforts to divide workers.
“Our union has been fighting this trade war for almost two years, and now finally we are seeing a strengthening of resolve in many places. I say, ‘Welcome to the fight.’ We are the union that is going to save Canada, and yes, protect Canadian jobs,” she said.
In the run-up to an election campaign, Quebec finds itself embroiled in an unprecedented trade war. Since January 2025, our plants have been dealing with a series of tariff attacks from Washington, with duties on softwood lumber soaring to 144% in 2025 alone and sectoral tariffs of up to 50% on aluminum, copper and a constantly growing list of other products.
TORONTO—Unifor welcomes the Canadian tariff countermeasures announced today but is reiterating the union’s call for stronger industrial policies and income security measures, as the trade war with the United States escalates.
BURNABY, B.C.—Contract concessions demanded by one of Metro Vancouver’s key waste treatment providers have pushed Unifor Local 433 to initiate strike action starting at 6 a.m. Pacific on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
TORONTO—Unifor commends the decision to stand firm on securing a fair trade deal with the United States despite the Trump administration’s imposition of additional punishing and illegal tariffs.
“Canadian negotiators made the right decision by walking away. We can’t trade good jobs for a bad deal that would cement unjust, industry-killing tariffs,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “It was clear the never-ending list of concession demands were untenable.”
TORONTO—Unifor has reached tentative agreements with General Motors (GM) on behalf of more than 4,600 union members.
“Our bargaining committee worked diligently to reach these agreements, which deliver strong income and benefit gains, amid some of the most challenging times in our history,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
The new tentative agreements cover members of Unifor Locals 222, 88,199 and 636 employed at the Oshawa Assembly Plant, CAMI Assembly Plant in Ingersoll, St. Catharines Propulsion Plant and Woodstock Parts Distribution Centre.
Members, families, retirees and supporters gathered outside the Saint-Gobain plant in Plattsville, Ontario on August 20 for a solidarity barbecue backing the 42 Unifor Local 12 members on strike at the facility.
“No one on this picket line is standing alone,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Local 12 members deserve fair wages, a secure pension, respect on the job and Unifor will stand with you until we reach a fair agreement.”
PORT MELLON, B.C.—The curtailment of operations at Domtar’s Howe Sound pulp and paper mill is more evidence of a deepening forestry sector crisis and demands immediate action from the B.C. and federal government, says Unifor.
“Collapse of the forestry industry in the west, a core pillar of the economy, is just around the corner if governments don’t act now,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
Unifor’s Road Transport Council strongly condemns the Ford government’s stalling of contract negotiations with school bus operators in Grey Bruce and call on the government to resume contract talks immediately.
The Honourable David Eby, K.C. Premier of British Columbia Office of the Premier PO Box 9041 Stn Prov Govt Victoria, BC V8W 9E1
Dear Premier Eby:
We write to request urgent action and support for hundreds of forestry workers in Prince George who have learned from Canfor that they will be out of work by the end of this year and for the thousands of forestry workers still at risk.
The Honourable Patty Hajdu Minister of Jobs and Families Employment and Social Development Canada
Dear Minister Hajdu,
I am writing to request urgent action to support hundreds of forestry workers in Prince George, British Columbia, who will be put out of work at the end of this year.
Specifically, we are urgently requesting that the federal government make permanent or at least extend the Temporary Employment Insurance Measures, which are currently set to expire on October 10, 2026.
Applications are now open for the fall intake of Unifor's Local Union Equity Fund (LUEF).
The Local Union Equity Fund (LUEF) supports local unions in developing and expanding initiatives that advance equity, remove barriers, and create more inclusive workplaces and communities. By investing in local projects, the fund helps strengthen equity across Unifor and empowers members to drive meaningful change.
Unifor is investing up to $250,000 to support projects through the fund in 2026.
Unifor is sounding the alarm as Stellantis is seriously considering closing and selling the Brampton Assembly Plant. Watch the media announcement for the latest from Lana Payne, Unifor National President and Vito Beato, Unifor Vice-Chair of Stellantis Council and Unifor Local 1285 President.
Unifor is deeply concerned following the disclosure that Stellantis is seriously considering the closure and sale of the Brampton Assembly Plant.
On August 12, 2026, the company informed the union of its intent to open discussions with another firm about the potential sale of the plant.
Stellantis has not provided our union with formal written notice of closure of the Brampton plant. Under the terms of our Collective Agreement, the company must provide no less than one-year’s notice of any such closure or sale.
VICTORIA – Unifor Local 333-BC has served 72-hour strike notice to BC Transit, placing members in a legal strike position once the notice period expires at 3:00 p.m. PT on Sunday, August 16.
“Our members have been at this table for more than a year, and they have been very patient,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Serving notice is how the union shows we are serious about getting an agreement that our members can support. BC Transit now has a clear window to settle this at the table, and that is exactly where we want it settled.”
VANCOUVER – Unifor Locals 111 and 2200 have served 72-hour strike notice to Coast Mountain Bus Company. Members will begin a uniform ban on Monday, August 17. Bus and SeaBus service will continue to operate normally.
“Our members have chosen a collective show of solidarity as their next step in the bargaining process,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Collective transit services in British Columbia depend on transit workers who connect people and communities every single day”.
Three members of Unifor's national leadership team were on the Red River on August 11, joining Drag the Red volunteers aboard the boat the union helped put on the water.
National Secretary-Treasurer Len Poirier, Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi and Atlantic Regional Director Jennifer Murray took part in the search alongside coordinator Jill Wilson and Unifor Indigenous Relations Director Gina Smoke.
Unifor leadership, members and their families gathered at Africville Park in Halifax on August 9 for the Atlantic Regional Council’s BIWOC Committee’s annual barbecue.
TORONTO—Unifor officially opened contract negotiations with General Motors (GM) today on behalf of more than 4,600 members at facilities across Ontario.
“We’re entering this next round of negotiations with the solid foundation established by the pattern agreement with Ford, and we intend to have meaningful discussions on company operations and the future of auto jobs at GM in Canada,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
The Unifor Atlantic Regional Council held a “Family Fun Day” on August 2, bringing members and their families together in St. John's for an afternoon of food, activities and community.
VANCOUVER—Amazon suffered another legal setback in its fight against unionization in B.C. after the Labour Board bound the company to a first union collective agreement by binding arbitration.
“Amazon doesn’t get it: workers have basic rights and deserve respect. We’re going to fight for justice at YVR2 and anywhere else workers form a union,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
Unifor members brought their energy, colour and pride to the Toronto Caribbean Carnival's Grand Parade on Aug. 1, 2026, joining thousands of masqueraders in one of North America's largest celebrations of Caribbean culture.
