HALIFAX—Unifor is concerned by reports of International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) Inspectors being refused access to ships in port in Halifax, Vancouver and in Montreal as part of their routine efforts to ensure minimum working and living conditions for the crew are being met.
Unifor is deeply concerned about ongoing tariff threats from the United States and the imposition of tariffs by China on Canadian seafood products. These tariffs pose a genuine threat to the livelihoods of Unifor members in the Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union (FFAW) in Newfoundland and Labrador, the United Fishermen and Allied Workers' Union (UFAWU) in British Columbia, and to the broader Canadian fishing industry.
Unifor is celebrating the significant pension gains the union has fought for in the last three years as we head into Constitutional Convention in August at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
Since 2023, Unifor has negotiated improvements to Defined Benefit (DB) plans across the country at high-profile companies, including Ford, General Motors, Stellantis, Bombardier, MDA and PepsiCo, as well as Windsor Tunnel Corporation, GreenShield, Amsted Rail and Kautex Textron among others.
Unifor’s Bell clerical members are preparing for bargaining with the launch of their 2025 bargaining campaign: Together We Stand.
With members facing ongoing job losses, increased surpluses, and Voluntary Separation Packages (VSPs) – this round of bargaining is critical to safeguard jobs, improve working conditions, and ensure a secure future for all Bell Clerical members.
Unifor Council 4000 and Local 100 are pleased to announce that members have voted to ratify a new collective agreement with VIA Rail.
This agreement, reached after a challenging round of bargaining, represents meaningful progress on wages, benefits, pensions, and job security for more than 2,000 Unifor members across Canada.
MONTREAL – Members of Unifor Council 4000 and Local 100 have ratified a new collective agreement with VIA Rail.
“This agreement delivers meaningful gains for our members at VIA Rail and protects the critical work they do serving passengers across Canada,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “We fought hard to secure improvements that matter to our members and to protect good jobs for the future.”
Unifor members and their families gathered for a Stampede-style Member Appreciation BBQ, where they enjoyed tasty food, lively conversation, and a fun-filled day of celebration.
More than 3,500 Unifor members and their families turned out to Canada’s Wonderland on Sunday, July 13, for a day of rides, face painting, lunch, and union pride at the annual Unifor Member Appreciation Day.
The day kicked off under grey skies and a steady downpour, but spirits remained high as members waited out the rain.
By late morning, the clouds parted, and sunshine took over, turning it into a perfect day for roller coasters, water rides, and family fun.
From July 7 – 9, Unifor’s Atlantic Communication Locals (Locals 401, 410, 506, and 2289), met for the 10th Biennial Council Locals meeting. With Bell Canada bargaining set to begin in September, the meeting covered issues like, job security, wages, and benefits.
“Black history is not just for Black people – Black history is Canadian history.”
On August 1, Emancipation Day, Unifor recognizes this powerful quote from Jean Augustine, the first Black woman to serve as an MP and recipient of Unifor’s Nelson Mandela Award, that serves as an important reminder that historical change cannot take place without collective action, backed by solidarity, unity and mobilization.
TORONTO—CN Tower hospitality workers have voted to ratify a tentative agreement with their employer, bringing a nearly two-week labour dispute to an end.
The agreement was reached with Canada Lands Company, the federal Crown corporation that owns and operates the CN Tower. Members of Unifor Local 4271 voted to approve the deal in a ratification vote held earlier today.
Unifor members and their families gathered under sunny skies at Halifax’s historic Seaview Africville Park for the Atlantic Region Black, Indigenous Workers of Colour (BIWOC) Committee Family BBQ—a vibrant afternoon filled with food, fun and community spirit.
Laughter echoed across the park as children bounced in the castle, had their faces painted, and joined in on games and activities. Adults mingled over plates of delicious barbecue, reconnecting and forging new bonds in a space that radiated belonging and celebration.
TORONTO—Unifor is condemning U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest threat to impose a 35% tariff on non-CUSMA compliant Canadian goods as a reckless act of economic extortion designed to strong-arm Canada into an unfair trade deal.
“There’s only one answer to this extortion from the U.S. president: push back—hard,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Canada must use every bit of leverage we have. Workers are counting on our government to defend their jobs and industries. Concessions won’t stop a bully, but collective strength will.”
VANCOUVER—The B.C. Labour Relations Board (LRB) has sided with Unifor and awarded union certification to workers at the Amazon facility in Delta, B.C.
“Workers at Amazon organized against very difficult odds, but they’ve slayed the giant,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “This ruling sends a clear message to companies that bullying workers will only backfire in the end.”
This Labour Day, Unifor members will march with one powerful message: Protect Canadian Jobs.
After months of U.S.-driven attacks on Canadian jobs and workers, Labour Day 2025 is a call to action.
With a subsidy from the National union, Labour Day shirts are just $12 for Locals with confirmed participants attending Labour Day parades and activities.
The bilingual unisex t-shirts are union made in Canada. The cost is $12 per shirt (tax included), plus shipping.
ABBOSTFORD, B.C.—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 National President Lana Payne and Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi joined members of Local 4271 at a rally outside the CN Tower after more than 250 workers were locked out by Canada Lands Company. With chants, speeches, and unwavering unity, workers showed they’re ready to fight back and win.
Donald Trump’s threat to impose a 50% tariff on copper imports into the U.S.—if applied to Canada—would be a direct attack on Canadian workers and another reckless move that threatens jobs, industries, and entire communities across the country.
The proposed tariff stems from a Section 232 investigation into whether copper imports pose a national security risk to the United States. This process is being used to justify extreme trade measures without legitimate cause. There is no credible evidence that Canadian copper threatens U.S. security.
TORONTO— A sea of red shirts flooded the base of Canada’s most recognizable landmark today, as more than 250 locked-out CN Tower hospitality workers rallied alongside union leaders, allies, and supporters to demand a return to the bargaining table to negotiate a fair contract.
MONTREAL – Unifor condemns the major job losses announced by Paccar that will affect some 175 union members. The layoffs, which are due to take effect on August 4, come on top of the elimination of 250 jobs announced in December.
Faced with an uncertain economic context that has been exacerbated by U.S.-imposed tariffs, among other factors, the company has seen its production fall.
BRADFORD, Ont.—Workers at Toromont Industries in Bradford, Ont. went on strike this morning after the employer failed to adequately address wages and benefits during negotiations for a first collective agreement.
TORONTO—Unifor will hold a solidarity rally today to support more than 250 members of Local 4271 who have been callously locked out by Canada Lands Company at the CN Tower.
“It’s disgusting that a Crown corporation would lock out workers rather than negotiate a fair wage,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Today, we’re bringing a message straight to the CN Tower and its Crown operators: workers deserve respect, decent wages, and a fair contract.”
DUNCAN, B.C.—After more than 21 weeks on strike, Unifor transit members at Transdev have rejected the provincial mediator’s recommendations to end the dispute.
On June 4, the union and the company agreed to jointly apply to the labour minister for the appointment of a mediator to end the labour dispute that started on Feb. 8, 2025.
The mediator met with Unifor and Transdev on June 12 and issued his recommendations on June 30.
SURREY, B.C.— 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.”
Striking Windsor hotel workers from Unifor Local 195 took their message on the road, holding an information picket outside Ingersoll’s Elm Hurst Inn & Spa to call out their employer, Farhi Holdings Corporation, for refusing to bargain a fair contract.
SURREY, B.C.— 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. on July 5, 2025.
THUNDER BAY, ONT.—Unifor is demanding all three levels of government make an open and official commitment to ensure jobs for workers at Unifor Local 1075 at the Thunder Bay Alstom plant are secured with a deal to build future TTC subway cars.
“We don’t understand the hold up. Unifor has been patiently waiting for all three levels to sign on and commit to these important manufacturing jobs for Canadian workers – but so far, we haven’t seen any ink on paper,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
A meeting of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) Canada National Coordinating Committee meeting took place on June 26, 2025, in Toronto, with defending the right to strike and the U.S. trade war front-and-centre on the agenda.
“Workers should not have to pay the price for the trade war initiated by the United States – and corporations should not exploit the moment we’re in, " said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
Unifor Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi joined members at Brinks on a recent workplace tour to hear directly from frontline workers about the realities they face at work and to discuss the union’s ongoing efforts to improve safety, navigate the trade war, and prepare for the next round of bargaining.
During the visit to the Toronto facility, Hashi met with members in the vaults, dispatch, and transportation departments, learning more about the day-to-day pressures in the high-risk armoured car industry.
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