Vice President of the Society of Professional Engineers and Associates-Unifor Local 7474 (SPEA-Local 7474) Reza Ziaei told an audience at the Canadian Nuclear Association’s annual conference that a unionized workplace has helped foster mutually respectful labour relations and can be a foundation for long-term stability.
“From job security to structured and predictable labour relations, a unionized workforce is a very positive force within AtkinsRéalis,” said Ziaei. “Every worker at every skill level can benefit from having a union.”
In recognition of the National Day of Mourning, Unifor members across the country took part in activities to honour those who have suffered a work-related disability, disease or death.
The 2026 Prairie Regional Council opened on Treaty 6 territory in Edmonton with remarks from Council Chairperson Guy Desforges, setting the tone for three days of discussion centered on mobilizing Unifor members for the political fights ahead, including the looming Alberta UCP referendum, an anticipated Alberta election, and Manitoba's 2027 vote.
Unifor National President Lana Payne urged the House of Commons Standing Committee on Natural Resources today to put energy workers at the centre of Canada's plan to become an energy superpower, warning that aging infrastructure, "run-to-fail" maintenance strategies, and shrinking domestic capacity are putting the country's energy security at risk.
Watch National President Lana Payne testify to the House of Commons Natural Resources committee to express Unifor's support for reducing Canada's export dependency on the U.S. and warned against the industry's growing reliance on "run to fail" models that endanger energy workers and their communities.
Thousands of workers, including strong participation from Unifor members, took to the streets of Montreal on May 2, 2026, alongside other unions, community groups and student organizations under the banner “Rights trampled. We must resist,” marking International Workers’ Day and pushing back against attacks on workers’ rights.
This year, the main Montreal May Day demonstration was held on May 2 to allow broader participation and the response was clear: workers are mobilized and ready to stand together.
CAMI Assembly Plant members packed the Unifor Local 88 union hall on May 1, to hear from National and Local leaders about the future of the idled facility, U.S.
Former Accuride workers represented by Unifor Local 27 have won a major court victory that will see approximately $4 million in pension surplus funds returned to members after the company went bankrupt and closed the plant.
CAMI Assembly Plant members filled the Unifor Local 88 union hall on May 1, to hear from National and Local leaders about the future of the idled facility, the impact of U.S. auto tariffs, the threat of Chinese imports, and the road ahead for 2026 auto bargaining.
WATERLOO — Unifor Local 4304 members at Grand River Transit have ratified a new three-year collective agreement that delivers significant wage and benefit gains, expanded coverage for workers between the ages of 67 and 75, and stronger language to protect new transit routes from being contracted out.
Unifor locals in Ottawa, including Local 6004 and Local 1688 have long supported the work of the Somali Hope Foundation, an international NGO behind the Somali Hope Academy in Bur Salah, Somalia.
On Saturday May 2, members and elected leadership including Unifor National President Lana Payne and Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi attended the Foundation’s annual gala in Ottawa, On. The gala, the final event of its kind for the Foundation, marked 16 years of community engagement and fundraising in the national capital region.
Unifor, the United Steelworkers and CUPE, united as the Canadian Telecommunications Workers’ Alliance (CTWA), jointly presented to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Industry and Technology (INDU) on Thursday, April 30.
Unifor Telecommunications Director Roch LeBlanc delivered opening remarks for the Alliance, alongside Natalie Blais, CUPE Research Representative and Corey Mandryk, Lead Organizer, United Steelworkers National Local 1944.
On May Day, workers celebrate the historic achievements of the labour movement which, for generations, has shaped a fairer, more just Canada.
As we mark May Day across the country, we also acknowledge that Canadian workers face considerable challenges. Our country's industrial backbone is under threat, and the weight of dire economic times inevitably lands on working people and their families.
WATERLOO — Unifor Local 4304 and the Region of Waterloo have reached a tentative agreement covering approximately 850 Grand River Transit workers, averting a strike that would have begun at 12:01 a.m. on May 1, 2026.
Mediated negotiations between Unifor and Marine Atlantic broke off on the second day after the employer failed to engage with the union’s proposals.
“It’s unacceptable that Marine Atlantic is refusing to engage in meaningful negotiations for a fair agreement that lets workers continue to serve the public,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Ignoring the bargaining committee’s proposals shows a lack of respect and raises serious doubts about reaching a deal unless the company changes course.”
TORONTO—It’s an out-of-this-world moment for Unifor as cookies made by members have officially reached new heights—travelling all the way to space.
Commercial Bakeries’ iconic Maple Crème cookies, proudly produced by members of Unifor Local 6006, were shared by astronauts aboard the Artemis II mission, who loved them to the moon and back.
This marks the first time these Canadian-made treats have gone beyond Earth’s orbit, making them the most far-reaching cookies in history.
From April 22 to 24 in Quebec City, Unifor delegates from across the province gathered for the Quebec Council, held this year under the theme of the environment. Without being limited to that theme, discussions addressed the full range of issues affecting workers in a rapidly changing economic and social context.
Unifor brought members, workers, advocates and frontline service providers from the community together in Charlottetown, P.E.I., on April 28, for an urgent day of education, organizing and action on intimate partner violence.
Unifor’s Atlantic Regional Council in partnership with the national union’s Women’s Department, hosted an Intimate Partner Violence Symposium at the Delta Hotel Convention Centre in Charlottetown. The event was the third in a series of regional Atlantic forums aimed at strengthening the movement to end gender-based violence.
OTTAWA – The federal government’s spring fiscal update includes a number of important advances including in the area of worker training but presents an overly-optimistic view of Canada’s economic health, as millions of workers face ongoing uncertainty amid U.S. trade tensions, public sector cost-cutting, affordability challenges and global political instability, says Unifor.
On May 1 each year, Unifor marks International Workers’ Day, May Day, to celebrate worker solidarity and the labour movement. International solidarity has achieved so much for workers’ rights, and must continue to form the foundation of the ongoing struggle against obscene greed and capital worldwide.
Lac-Mégantic – The back-to-back closures of Bestar and Meubles South Shore within a 24-hour period send a clear message: Quebec’s furniture manufacturing sector is in jeopardy. A total of 120 Unifor members are losing their jobs after Bestar announced it would close its Lac-Mégantic plant.
MONTREAL- The closure of Quebec-based furniture company South Shore Furniture, after more than 86 years in business, sends a warning signal for the future of Quebec's manufacturing sector, according to Unifor.
“The loss of these jobs, which have sustained generations, is the latest tragic casualty of Trump’s sustained attack on Canada’s industrial base. This underscores the need for urgent action to protect workers in vulnerable sectors and implement strong industrial strategies,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
On May 5, Unifor members across the country mark Red Dress Day to honour the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2-Spirit people (MMIWG2S) whose lives have been taken or disrupted by violence, and to stand with the families still searching for answers.
Each May, Unifor celebrates Asian Heritage Month by recognizing the cultural diversity, contributions and continued struggles of Asian and South Asian communities in Canada.
Asian Canadians have a deep history in the Canadian labour movement after having faced systemic discrimination and exploitation historically and still to this day.
Within Unifor, Asian members have made our union strong, as workplace leaders, advocates and through sharing their solidarity and a deep commitment to community and to justice for all workers.
All Unifor local union elections must be conducted in accordance with Unifor's Constitution and Unifor Policies.
According to Article 15.A.8 of the Unifor Constitution: "Each Local Union shall establish its own set of rules to govern all of its elections. The rules must be consistent with the rules outlined in the Policy Regarding Local Union Elections, made by the National Union [...]" as well as follow the additional provisions listed in the article.
Unifor is proud to announce 35 new members from AGI Canadian Company have joined our union.
“Airport workers keep Canada’s aviation system moving, and they deserve the protections and bargaining power that only a union can provide,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
“By joining Unifor, AGI workers have chosen collective strength and a seat at the table. We are proud to welcome these new members and support them in the fight for fairness.”
