WINDSOR—Wage protections, paid holidays, and improved benefits are highlights of a new three-year collective agreement reached with the Best Western Plus Waterfront in Windsor, ending a two-month strike.
“It was very important for these workers and Unifor to take a stand at a hotel where members were facing rollbacks. They stood together and stood firm,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Members across the country rallied behind these determined hospitality workers to support their fight for fairness.”
KITIMAT, B.C.—Wages, improvements to benefits, and pension adjustments are the highlights of a new collective agreement ratified by Unifor Local 2301 members during voting on July 25–29.
“Unifor members at Rio Tinto are responsible for the safe and productive operations of a key facility in Kitimat,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Congratulations to Local 2301 on making key gains in their new contract.”
Unifor Local 8300 members working in environmental, housekeeping and laundry services at Compass Group for the Hillel Lodge long-term care facility in Ottawa have ratified their first collective agreement. Members will see substantial wage increases as well as an additional statutory holiday in this two-year agreement.
CHATHAM, ON—Unifor Local 127 members at Dajcor Aluminum began strike action after the union learned the company was planning to remove equipment and bring scab labour into the facility.
“Any attempt to remove equipment from a Unifor facility or bring in scabs will always be met with the swiftest possible response from our union,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “This is a clear case of escalation that calls for action. Our members have every right to defend their jobs, their plant, and their community from these deceitful tactics.”
Unifor Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi met with long-term care workers at the Ontario Finnish Resthome in Sault Ste. Marie, joining members of Unifor Local 1359 for a workplace tour and important discussions about the future of care work in the province.
During the tour, Hashi met with frontline staff and union leadership to hear directly about the day-to-day realities of working in long-term care and to discuss Unifor’s ongoing advocacy for better working conditions, increased funding, and stronger supports for both residents and staff.
HAMILTON—The abrupt closure announcement by Biox Corporation is the latest example of a failure to secure Canada’s domestic energy supply, says Unifor.
The union is urging federal and provincial officials to make simple regulatory changes that could help re-start the facility and lay the groundwork for securing Canada’s energy future.
Unifor is saddened to learn of the passing of labour activist and former national leader of the Confederation of Canadian Unions (CCU), Garry Worth.
Garry is remembered as a dedicated rank-and-file leader who spent his life fighting for workers’ rights. He began his activism as a millwright at the Weyerhaeuser mill in Kamloops in the early 1970s, during the time the plant was joining the Pulp, Paper and Woodworkers of Canada (PPWC), part of the CCU.
The U.S. trade war against Canada has become the fight of our lives. That’s why, throughout this year, Unifor’s fight to protect every Canadian worker, job and industry has intensified and evolved, expanding in scale, urgency and determination.
Tariffs threaten every sector, whether directly or indirectly. Every worker is affected. Unifor has prioritized the development of long-term strategies that aim to protect jobs amid the ongoing trade conflict, and build a stronger, more resilient Canadian economy for future generations.
TORONTO—Unifor is calling on the federal government to negotiate a long-term agreement for softwood lumber exports to the United States that will avoid the rollercoaster of duties and threatened tariffs currently causing chaos in a sector that relies on long-term planning.
Re: Supporting Ontario’s Forestry Sector and Communities
I am writing to respectfully request action from the Ontario government to support the province’s forestry sector, forestry workers, and the numerous forestry-dependent rural communities across Ontario.
Lana Payne - Op-ed contributor Originally published in the Detroit Free Press July 24, 2025
Canada and the U.S. have, for half a century, built cars and prosperity together. During that time, auto unions on both sides of the border have fought for better working conditions and fair-trade agreements that raise living standards for workers.
ABBOSTFORD, B.C.—Unifor Local 114 members at Cascade Aerospace voted in favour of a new three-year collective agreement, bringing a two-week strike at the aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul facility to an end.
“Aerospace jobs are among the most difficult, demanding, and highly technical in the country,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “I am incredibly proud of members for standing shoulder to shoulder throughout this dispute—not just for themselves, but to help raise standards across the entire Canadian aerospace industry.”
Re: Supporting Canada’s Forestry Sector and Communities
I am writing to request urgent action to support Canada’s forestry sector, forestry workers, and the hundreds of forestry-dependent rural communities across Canada.
CORNER BROOK, N.L. - Unifor is encouraged by Kruger Inc.’s announcement that it plans to invest up to $700 million in its Corner Brook, N.L. mill to modernize the facility.
LA DORÉ, JULY 24, 2025 – In response to the blockade set up the Mamo First Nation at the Domtar sawmill in La Doré, Unifor condemns the government’s total lack of social dialogue in its reform of the forestry regime. According to the union, the development of this reform in the absence of any real consultation with stakeholders, particularly First Nations, has resulted in a predictable conflict.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s misguided tariff strategy continues to wreak havoc on the Canadian economy, threatening the prosperity of families and communities across the country and putting tens of thousands of Canadians out of work.
This weekend was full of Pride as Unifor members participated in both the Halifax Pride and St. John’s Pride parades.
Members of the Atlantic Regional Council’s LGBT Standing Committee organized the floats and got the word out to Locals to join in demonstrating the union’s continuing and ever-present commitment to inclusion and equality.
WINDSOR—Unifor members at NextStar Energy have voted 88% in favour of ratifying their first collective agreement, marking a historic milestone for workers at Canada’s first large-scale electric vehicle battery cell manufacturing facility.
“Bargaining a first collective agreement is never easy, and this one took place in an exceptionally difficult economic and political climate,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “The work of our bargaining committee at NextStar Energy ensures that as the electric vehicle sector grows, good union jobs grow with it.”
The summer heat added to the lightheartedness and excitement of the Junior Carnival as it revved up celebrations for this year’s Toronto Caribbean Carnival.
“Unifor is proud to support this inclusive community event again this year,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
“Carnival is a celebration of diversity–of Caribbean cultures, voices, and traditions, uniting in joy. Unifor is thrilled to share in this celebration of our community and our members, knowing our strength lies in the solidarity we build together."
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.
