Unifor is calling on Canadians to stay united and remain on guard following the delay of tariffs on Canadian goods exported to the U.S. by 30-days.
“The tariffs may be paused but the union’s work to protect our members’ jobs has not,” said National President Lana Payne. “The ongoing tariff threat alone is designed to redirect investment, which will hurt jobs in Canada whether tariffs come into effect or not.”
Retail workers in Toronto are facing yet another attack on their right to guaranteed time off.
Big business is pushing to expand holiday shopping exemptions, which would force more retail workers to work on statutory holidays. This is unacceptable.
Unifor has always stood firm in protecting retail workers’ statutory holidays, and we need to take action once again. Toronto City Council is consulting with the public about holiday shopping exemptions and will soon be deciding on whether to expand them, and we must make our voices heard.
Unifor will take the concerns of workers to three government taskforces aimed at safeguarding Canadian jobs: the Manitoba U.S. Trade Council, the B.C. Trade and Economic Security Taskforce, and the B.C. Softwood Lumber Advisory Council.
Unifor Local 200 members at Plains Midstream in Windsor have ratified a new three-year collective agreement.
The agreement includes annual wage increases of 3% and a $1,750 signing bonus, with no concessions. “This agreement reflects the hard work and dedication of the bargaining committee,” said Local 200 President John D’Agnolo. “It builds on our progress and protects the interests of the workers at Plains Midstream.”
Unifor Local 672 members at SGS Petroleum Management have secured a new three-year collective agreement with strong wage gains.
“This deal represents a major step forward for our members,” said Local 672 President John McEwan. “The bargaining committee worked tirelessly to secure an agreement that addresses the needs of Local 672 members while strengthening the contract’s protections.”
TORONTO, Ont.-Unifor is urging Canada’s largest grocery stores, owned by Empire, Loblaw and Metro, to prioritize the purchasing and promotion of made in Canada products in response to the Trump administration’s reckless trade war against Canadian workers.
In a letter to the CEOs of Empire, Loblaw and Metro, Unifor National President Lana Payne encouraged the grocers to make it easier for shoppers to identify made in Canada products on their shelves to support domestic industries and protect jobs.
Ontario voters have been pushed into a provincial election while facing an unknown future because of President Trump’s crushing tariff threats.
The ongoing threat of sweeping tariffs of 25% on Canadian goods and 10% on energy imported to the United States has thrown our country into instability. Just the potential of tariffs is causing economic harm to workers and our economy.
For more than 60 years, the Canadian and American auto industries have depended on each other. Together, we build best-in-class cars and trucks that remain the envy of the world. Unionized autoworkers fought for and won gold standard collective agreements that created good jobs, raised living standards and built strong, vibrant communities. Two-way trade in automotive goods is about $160 billion per year and split virtually down the middle in near perfect balance. There is no better, fairer, and more productive trade relationship.
Trump’s tariff announcement was a turning point for our country. The President declared economic war on Canadian workers and our country. There is no turning back. No one should let their guard down at this 30-day pause on the tariffs.
The threat of tariffs and therefore the continued threat of economic harm to the workers of Canada must be front and centre. We know the mere threat of tariffs is damaging to our economy.
SUDBURY, Ont.–Unifor Local 598 Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers’ Union workers voted to approve a new collective agreement that sees annual cost-of-living increases that includes a new minimum cola roll-in of $0.46 in addition to percentage wage increases, increased shift premiums, a redesigned nickel bonus and other gains.
TORONTO— Canada must retaliate swiftly and definitively to the unjust imposition of a sweeping 25% tariff on Canadian goods and 10% tariff on energy imported to the United States, says Unifor.
“With the implementation of these tariffs, President Trump has declared a trade war with Canada and with Canadian workers,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Trump’s decision to go to battle with America’s largest trading partner will hurt working people on both sides of the border and inflict real economic damage to both countries.”
On behalf of the Unifor National Executive Board and Unifor members across the country, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Scott Bateman, who served as the union’s Director of Road Transportation.
VANCOUVER – Unifor, which represents Walmart Canada truck drivers in British Columbia, is deeply concerned by today’s announcement that Canada Cartage is purchasing Walmart Fleet ULC, which now delays bargaining that was scheduled for tomorrow, Jan. 31.
“Warehousing and logistics workers have a right to a union, and we expect the company to bargain a first collective agreement with our members as soon as possible,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
ST. JOHN’S—Unifor participated in Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey’s trade roundtable’s most recent meeting today, calling for swift action to protect workers, particularly in the province’s trade-exposed sectors like oil and gas, forestry and the fishery.
This February, Unifor proudly celebrates Black History Month by honoring the remarkable achievements and contributions of our members who strengthen our union, communities, and country every single day. We recognize the important work of Unifor members, BIWOC committee activists, and Racial Justice Advocates who champion equity and inclusion year round.
Unifor leadership engaged with hundreds of representatives from Unifor locals from across the country on Jan. 28 to discuss the tariff threat and our union’s approach to protect jobs and safeguard our economy.
“This union has faced many big challenges in its past, including both a global financial crisis and a global pandemic that threw our world upside down,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne during the webinar.
Unifor staff and leaders were applauding in the audience as the first cohort of Battery Manufacturing Certificate graduates walked across the stage on January 26 at St. Clair College in Windsor, Ont.
Premier Doug Ford has called an early election. Ontarians are heading to the polls on Thursday, February 27.
“This election is an opportunity to tell candidates what workers expect from their next government, said Unifor Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi. “In this election, Unifor calls on all parties to protect workers, secure the economy, and save public services.”
From January 24 to 26, 2025, local union leaders from Unifor’s dairy processing workplaces along with staff gathered at the national headquarters in Toronto for the inaugural Dairy Processing Strategy Meeting. The meeting united members from across the country to build a shared vision for collective bargaining for Canada’s critical link in the agricultural supply chain of essential food products like milk, cheese, and eggs.
VANCOUVER –Heading towards a Feb. 8 strike deadline, Unifor members at Transdev (formerly First Transit) in Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island will not wear their uniforms until the company comes to the table with a fair deal.
“Transit workers move our communities,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Our members demand respect from the company, and we will support them as they bargain a fair collective agreement.”
Your bargaining committees met with the employer to start national bargaining during this last week of January 20 to 24. While we where able to address a few small items there is still a substantive amount of issues that need to be address.
Unifor Local 4003 members at Toronto Terminals Railway (TTR) have unanimously ratified a new four-year collective agreement, ensuring stability and meaningful improvements to wages, benefits, and working conditions.
On this solemn occasion of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Unifor stands in solidarity to honor the memory of the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust, alongside the millions of others who suffered and perished under Nazi persecution. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest and most infamous Nazi concentration and extermination camp during World War II. The anniversary is a powerful reminder of the atrocities born from hatred and bigotry and our collective role to combat antisemitism and hate.
Today marks eight years since the tragic events of January 29, 2017, when an Islamophobic and racist act of violence took the lives of six worshippers at the Centre Culturel Islamique de Québec.
In the face of a rabidly anti-worker government in Alberta led by Premier Danielle Smith, unions in every sector of the economy have started discussions about how to effectively present a united front.
MONTREAL - Unifor denounces Amazon's decision to close seven warehouses in Quebec. The union also reaffirms support for the Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN), which has fought to improve conditions for Quebec’s unionized Amazon workers.
In his government’s mandate letter to B.C. Minister of Finance Brenda Bailey, Premier Eby recognized the epidemic of gender-based violence and empowered Bailey to take steps to address the crisis.
Unifor members at Local 4503 in Truro, N.S. have negotiated a new collective agreement that delivers wage increases, benefit gains, and new full-time jobs with dairy producer and cheesemaker Agropur.
“Congratulations to the bargaining committee for their dedicated efforts to get this group an agreement that will help create good jobs and improve benefits and wages,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
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