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Unifor Quebec Council focuses on solidarity, mobilization and the future

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.

Engaging discussion at Brink’s Pre-Bargaining Conference

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.

Trump continues attack on Canadian auto jobs

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.

Order Your 2025 Unifor Pride Swag Today

Celebrate Pride and show your solidarity with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and order your 2025 Unifor Pride Swag today!

Our wearable gear, accessories, and materials highlight the values of equity, inclusion, and workers’ rights that unite us all.

How to Order:

This year, all orders will go through the Unifor Workroom to ensure earlier delivery of your Pride materials.

Strike begins at Arbutus Club

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.

May Day 2025: Workers united across borders and generations

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.

Unifor ETOP Council talks AI, tariffs and anti-harassment strategies

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.

Unifor vows to protect Canadian jobs with massive rally in Windsor

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.”

Statement on tragedy at Vancouver Lapu-Lapu Day festival

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.

Thousands rise at Unifor rally to Protect Canadian Jobs

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 CNRU support organ donation awareness with $10,000 contribution

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 supports Premier Ford’s push to build subway cars at Alstom Thunder Bay plant

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.”

Unifor Asian Heritage Month 2025 Statement

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. 

Transdev transit workers fight for wage parity as strike enters 11-week mark

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.”

Join Unifor’s Rally to Protect Canadian Jobs

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.”

Day of Mourning Statement 2025

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.

Unifor members organize against bloated executive compensation at BCE AGM

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.” 

Unifor Aerospace Council statement on U.S. Tariffs

The sudden and unprovoked Trump initiated trade war between the United States and Canada as well as the inflammatory comments made about Canada’s sovereignty have shocked Canadian aerospace workers.

RailLine - Volume 12, Issue 9

VIA Rail bargaining continues; next dates set for May

Update from the bargaining table:

Council 4000 and Local 100 master bargaining committees met with VIA Rail this week, from April 14 to 17, as part of the ongoing conciliation process.

Canadian Comedians Finally Write a Joke So Good It Comes With Benefits

Toronto, Quebec City – April 16, 2025 – The Canadian Association of Stand-up, Sketch & Improv Comedians (CASC) is proud to announce a strategic partnership with the Canadian Freelance Union-Unifor (CFU) to advance the rights and benefits of Canadian comedians nationwide.​