Gavin McGarrigle
Gavin McGarrigle is the elected Western Regional Director of Unifor, currently serving his third term on the national leadership team. Based in Metro Vancouver, Gavin’s region includes nearly 70,000 members across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba in industries ranging from transportation and hospitality to energy, manufacturing and mining.
Gavin began his career organizing his own workplace into a union while studying at the University of Victoria, where he graduated with distinction in Sociology and Professional Writing. That early experience led to more than two decades of continuous leadership in Canada’s labour movement, serving at the union at the local, provincial, and national levels.
Over the years, Gavin has successfully led union members through numerous rounds of collective bargaining, as well as arbitration and labour board proceedings. In 2014, he played a key leadership role during the Vancouver container trucking dispute, where his efforts helped reverse federal back-to-work legislation and secure a landmark agreement. His ongoing work in this sector led to the introduction of provincial legislation and rules outlining “safe rates” for container truck drivers, along with new enforcement measures that have returned millions in unpaid wages to truckers over the years.
Gavin helped lead Unifor’s campaign for legislative reform to labour laws, including the restoration of single step card-check certification in British Columbia and Manitoba. He has worked extensively to support anti-scab legislation both provincially and federally. He has taken a strong public stance during major labour conflicts, including the 2020 Co-op Refinery lockout in Saskatchewan. In 2024, Gavin helped support the historic union drive at Amazon in British Columbia which led to the first Unifor certification of a large Amazon facility in Delta, BC.
Beyond the workplace, Gavin has contributed to numerous public policy initiatives. He has served on the B.C. Climate Solutions and Clean Growth Advisory Council, the TransLink Mobility Pricing Commission, the B.C. Tourism Task Force, the Forestry Worker Supports and Community Resiliency Council, the B.C. Softwood Lumber Advisory Council, the B.C. Trade and Economic Security Taskforce and the Manitoba U.S. Trade Council. He was appointed to the federal Sustainable Jobs Partnership Council arising out of the new Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act. In these roles, he has helped advise on climate policy, sustainable economic transition strategies, support programs and transportation planning.
Gavin was a co-chair of the Better Transit and Transportation Coalition and has also acted as a trustee of a major multi-employer pension plan.
Known for his thoughtful approach and commitment to collaboration, Gavin regularly appears in the media to advocate for workers’ rights, public services, and fair economic policy. He is dedicated to building bridges between labour, government, industry, and community—always with a focus on practical solutions and lasting impact.
Gavin lives in Metro Vancouver with his wife and two children.
To request an interview with Gavin McGarrigle, contact Ian Boyko. Media outlets can download McGarrigle's high-res photo here.
