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.
The second-annual Unifor Education Technical Office Professional (ETOP) Council took place April 23 and 24 at the union’s national office in Toronto, with its biggest turnout yet.
“We have lots of different workplaces that are impacted by influences due to the nature of the work they’re doing. How it impacts us looks different than in other industries,” said ETOP Council Chair Emily Heikoop.
WINDSOR—With fists raised and voices roaring, thousands of Unifor members, labour leaders, and allies surged into Windsor’s Riverfront Festival Plaza on April 26 in a powerful show of defiance against U.S. President Donald Trump’s assault on Canadian jobs.
“This is the fight of our lives,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “They are not [Trump’s] jobs to take. They are Canadian jobs. They are Unifor jobs, and we are going to do whatever we have to do to defend them and protect them.”
Unifor extends its deepest condolences to the families and friends of those killed, and expresses concern for those injured, in the vehicle ramming at the Lapu-Lapu Day festival hosted by the Filipino community in Vancouver.
WINDSOR- With fists raised and voices roaring, thousands of Unifor members, labour leaders, and allies surged into Windsor’s Riverfront Festival Plaza today in a powerful show of defiance against U.S. President Trump’s assault on Canadian jobs.
“Trump’s trade war is a direct attack on Canadian workers, and today we are sending a clear message – we won’t back down,” declared Unifor National President Lana Payne. “We will fight for our jobs, our industries, our future and our country. This rally is proof that we are united, we are strong, and we are ready.”
Unifor and its staff union, the Canadian National Representatives Union (CNRU), have each donated $5,000 to Canadian Blood Services in support of National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week, highlighting the urgent need to boost donor registration across the country.
As of this month, more than 4,100 Canadians are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. While 90 per cent of Canadians support organ donation, only 32 per cent have formally registered.
Unifor recognizes May 3, World Press Freedom Day, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993.
World Press Freedom Day is a reminder to governments of their commitment to press freedom and provides an opportunity to pay tribute to journalists and media workers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
THUNDER BAY, ONT.—Unifor supports Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s call for Toronto to have its Line 2 subway cars manufactured at the Alstom plant in Thunder Bay. This move is expected to secure jobs for workers represented by Unifor Local 1075.
“Unifor backs the push to see our Thunder Bay members building subway cars for Toronto,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Ensuring different levels of governments are coordinating to put procurement dollars to work and maximize Canadian jobs is always good policy and, in these times, even more so.”
TORONTO— U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest threat to raise auto tariffs on Canadian-made vehicles is a direct attack on Canadian workers and a reckless move that could dismantle the integrated North American auto industry, says Unifor.
Striking Transdev workers rallied outside BC Transit’s headquarters in Victoria on April 15 fighting for respect and dignity when it comes to working conditions, pensions and wage disparity.
Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi, Health Care Director Kellee Janzen, and Assistant to the National Officers Kelly-Anne Orr kicked off the first leg of across-country tour with stops in Ontario, including Windsor, Chatham, Port Elgin, Kitchener, and Toronto.
Each May, Unifor celebrates Asian Heritage Month by recognizing the important contributions and rich cultural heritage of Asian and South Asian communities in Canada.
The theme for the 2025 Asian Canadian Heritage Month is “Asian Canadian Legacy: We Contribute. We serve.”, which reflects the spirit of solidarity at the heart of Unifor’s work—where Asian members have long strengthened our union through their leadership, service, and unwavering commitment to justice.
DUNCAN, B.C.— Unifor members have rejected Transdev’s latest offer, continuing a strike now in its 11th week. The dispute centers on wage disparities between Transdev workers and other B.C. transit employees, particularly in Victoria and Vancouver.
"Our union will continue to stand strong alongside our transit members to achieve fairness in a region with a rapidly growing cost of living," Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Our members deserve fair wages that reflect today’s affordability challenges.”
Unifor members, leaders, and supporters will unite in strength and solidarity at the Protect Canadian Jobs Rally on Saturday, April 26 at 1 p.m. at Riverfront Festival Plaza in Windsor, Ontario.
“Workers are in the fight of our lives. Trump’s trade war is already triggering layoffs, killing jobs, and causing damage to future investment,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “U.S. tariffs threaten jobs across all sectors. This is a battle to defend the livelihoods of every Canadian worker.”
On April 28, Canadians observe the National Day of Mourning to honour workers who have lost their lives, been injured, or become ill due to workplace incidents. This day is a reminder of the importance of prioritizing health and safety in every workplace. It encourages reflection, remembrance, and engagement on our shared commitment to preventing future tragedies by creating safer working environments for all.
Toronto/Montreal – Unifor members at Bell (BCE.TO) and its subsidiaries are organizing to protest multi-million executive bonuses at the company’s upcoming AGM.
“Bell can expect our union to be vocal when the executives continue to cut good jobs while rewarding themselves with fat bonuses,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “We are asking shareholders to examine the facts: more layoffs, a stunning drop in profits, and lucrative executive bonuses and we are asking they push back and demand better from the company’s C-suite and board of directors.”
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