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Update by Lana Payne, National President

Thursday, March 20, 2025

Dear Unifor Members:

I know everyday brings new turmoil as a result of the chaos-driven policies of U.S. President Donald Trump. These past weeks have been filled with concern and anxiety.

From my vantage point, there is uncertainty, but there is also the incredible resolve and determination shown by our members and by all Canadians across the country, from different regions, provinces, sectors and communities. 

VANCOUVER—Unifor Local 3000 members voted 95% in favour of strike action if the employer at the Arbutus Club continues to refuse to take bargaining seriously. 

“Unless something changes at the bargaining table, Arbutus Club members can expect a serious service disruption and a noisy picket line,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “With membership fees that run tens of thousands of dollars, we know the Arbutus Club will have no trouble meeting our reasonable wage demands.” 

WINNIPEG—Wage increases and changes to scheduling to improve work-life balance are key features of a new contract ratified on March 18, 2025 by members of Unifor Local 681 employed at Manitoba Hydro.

“This agreement delivers real gains that recognize gas workers’ important and skilled work keeping Manitobans safe and warm,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “A strong mandate from the membership was critical to achieving success.”

Local 681 members voted 90% in favour of strike action on February 3 after bargaining reached an impasse. 

Last Friday, a wave of angry workers gathered in protest in front of the Plaza Centre-Ville in Montreal, where the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal (CCMM) was hosting an event in the presence of the Minister of Labour, Jean Boulet. Boulet was set to speak on a range of economic issues, but when confronted with the protest by unionized workers, he decided to withdraw and cancel his speech.

Canada’s mining sector is facing an unprecedented attack from the Trump Administration, which has yet again trained its sights on Canadian metals and minerals. After losing a trade war against Canada’s aluminum and steel industries in 2018-19, Trump is now threatening all of Canada’s mining and metals sector with up to 50% tariffs.

Gatineau – A press conference was held on March 17 at Domtar’s Gatineau mill to provide an update on the project to convert the site into a container board production facility. This ambitious initiative aims not only to preserve over a hundred jobs, but also to create new jobs with growth in production and the emergence of new opportunities in the supply chain. The project represents a major step towards ensuring a sustainable future for the local manufacturing industry.

Following Hudson’s Bay Company’s (HBC) announcement that it will liquidate its retail operations, Unifor is calling on the company to uphold its legal obligations to workers as priority number one and provide clear communication about the future of the announced liquidation.

 “HBC must act in good faith by ensuring workers receive the wages, benefits, and severance they are entitled to under their collective agreements,” says Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Workers’ livelihoods are on the line—they’re rightfully concerned and deserve full transparency from HBC.”

TORONTO- On Prime Minister Carney’s first day in office, Unifor calls on him to heed the calls of workers to protect Canadian jobs in the face of unprecedented U.S. trade attacks.

“Prime Minister Carney, as you take on this role know that Unifor members, indeed all workers, have high expectations of you. You’re stepping into a new job while many, many others are at risk. We need leadership that is thoughtful, strategic and bold,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

Dear Members,

It has come to our attention that DHL has been meeting with union members across the country to discuss bargaining. In particular, the company has shared the content of specific proposals and editorialized the bargaining committee’s initial response to some of their proposals. 

On March 21, Unifor marks the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, a day rooted in the tragic events of the Sharpeville Massacre in 1960, when South African police opened fire on peaceful anti-apartheid demonstrators, killing 69 people. 

This internationally-recognized day serves as a solemn reminder of the ongoing fight against racism all over the world and the need for collective action to build a more just and equitable society.

Unity in uncertain times

Unifor activists from Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba gathered in Winnipeg to discuss committee work and start training activities for the federal election.

The ongoing trade war with the United States was top of mind as Unifor National Skilled Trades Council delegates from across the country met to discuss major challenges facing the union’s 50,000 Skilled Trades members. 

WINNIPEG—Unifor’s Director of Indigenous Relations, Gina Smoke, has been awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of her advocacy for truth and reconciliation and her work to advance justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2-spirit people.

LONDON, ONT.—Unifor members who work at Nestle’s London, Ont. ice cream production facility ratified a new three-year agreement by 86% and gained improvements to their wages, pension and benefits.

“Congratulations to the bargaining committee for fighting for such a great collective agreement,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. 

TORONTO—The 25% tariff imposed on Canadian steel and aluminum exports by U.S. President Donald Trump will cause serious damage to industry and workers in both countries, says Unifor. 

“Trump is knowingly inflicting damage to the North American manufacturing sector with these inflationary tariffs that will injure workers, eliminate jobs, and hurt consumers,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. 

DELTA, B.C.—Citing “an altered economic environment”, ready-to-assemble furniture manufacturer Prepac is preparing to terminate more than 170 jobs and shift operations to its North Carolina facility.

“Our union has been warning about lost investment and production since Trump began his economic war on Canada and Canadian workers,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “In this case, Prepac and its equity owners are using the tariffs as an excuse to redirect all their production to the US. It’s pure greed.”

Secure Canada’s energy and energy product supply chains

Unifor is mobilizing an economy-wide fightback against U.S. tariffs on Canadian products with sector specific analyses.

A key component of the campaign is working with the federal government and the provinces to provide a bold policy options that would protect Canadian jobs and support workers impacted by the economic consequences of an irrational and aggressive American trade war.

CAMPBELL RIVER, B.C.—A mediator was unable to help Unifor Local 3019 make any progress in contract negotiations after the employer, global commodities giant Trafigura, refused to back down from aggressive proposals to undermine union rights.  

“Stripping Unifor members of their rights is a non-starter,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “We will resist every proposal that disrespects the union rights of miners in Myra Falls.”

TORONTO – Unifor urges the Hudson’s Bay Company ULC (HBC) to protect and prioritize worker’s wages, pension and benefits during forthcoming restructuring.

“Friday’s news left HBC employees reeling with the uncertainty of what’s to come and anticipating the worst. Through what’s sure to be a difficult period, HBC is still bound by its collective agreements, must deliver on wages and benefits and communicate with workers and their union about what lays ahead,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

TORONTO – The federal government’s March 7 statement encouraging additional privatization of Canada’s airports is a bad idea shown to siphon off profits, suppress wages, and increase costs for travelers, says Unifor. 

Nominations are now open for the annual Unifor Bud Jimmerfield Award. 

This is Unifor’s longest-running award and is one way the union honours Bud’s work and celebrates those who continue his remarkable legacy of improving working conditions through health and safety activism.

What does it take to be recognized?

HALIFAX–Unifor is celebrating the federal government’s signing of the River-class destroyer (RCD) contract with Irving Shipbuilding – the largest and most significant “Buy Canadian” procurement program, and largest shipbuilding effort since WWII.

“There is perhaps no moment more significant than the one we’re in right now to prove the value and importance of domestic procurement,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. 

TORONTO – Unifor, Canada’s largest private sector union, calls expanded access to Canada’s Work-Sharing Program a good first step in a broader tariff mitigation strategy but says the federal government must deliver a far more ambitious plan to stop job losses and safeguard workers in the face of aggressive U.S. trade actions.  

KAMLOOPS, B.C.—Unifor Local 10-B members at Kruger in Kamloops, B.C., ratified a new four-year collective agreement with 91% approval that will set the pattern for negotiations across the Western Pulp and Paper Caucus.

TORONTO- Unifor celebrates today’s federal announcement of the continuation of Canada’s $10aDay child care, but urges the Premiers of Alberta and Saskatchewan to also sign on and not threaten future funding for affordable child care. 

LONDON— The Unifor Auto Council and Independent Parts Suppliers (IPS) Council held an emergency joint meeting today to address the ongoing tariff threat and U.S. President Donald Trump’s open demand for Canadian auto and parts jobs to be moved to the United States.  

Unifor’s Auto Council and Independent Parts Suppliers Council, representing 37,000 autoworkers across Canada, condemn the unjust imposition and ongoing threat of tariffs, by the United States, on Canadian goods. 

At a special joint meeting, Council delegates adopted a zero-tolerance position on U.S. tariffs and threats to Canadian jobs and Canadian sovereignty.

This position commits the full resources of our respective local unions and the National Union to take direct action, to support Canadian jobs, by whatever means necessary.   

Unifor joins more than 100 groups calling on Ontario Premier Ford to secure the future of affordable child care in Ontario. The union signed onto today’s joint letter prepared by the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care along with other child care programs, provincial early learning and child care associations, and unions, policy and advocacy groups. 

TORONTO—The month-long tariff delay for the Detroit Three automakers is the latest extortion tactic by U.S. President Donald Trump, says Unifor.