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CANADA NEEDS UNIFOR
Unifor National President Lana Payne delivered a fierce message to the Canadian government on the opening day of Unifor’s 5th Constitutional Convention — when it comes to giving into U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war demands — you’ll have to go through Unifor first.
“In this trade war, there is us and there is them. It’s no more complicated than that,” said Payne.
“To those who think they can shift our jobs and our plants to the United States. To those who think they can govern this country and allow that to happen. You will have to go through us first.”
The convention, held August 25-29 in Vancouver, opened with an Indigenous welcome from performer James Jones, also known as Notorious Cree — setting the tone for a week of respect, strength and unity with a traditional hoop dance.
SOLIDARITY AND MOVEMENT IN THE TRANSPORT INDUSTRY
Unifor National Secretary-Treasurer Len Poirier thanked members for their solidarity and reminded them that “unions are a living, breathing organization that steps up in the face of adversity, and flourishes when we are united.”
Guest speaker Stephen Cotton, the General Secretary of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), reinforced the close relationship with Unifor it continues to foster by supporting each other’s campaigns and victories.
Read the full story from day one at Canadian Convention
See the photos from the first day of Canadian Convention
UNIFOR STANDS WITH PALESTINIAN JOURNALISTS
On the second day of the Convention, Unifor awarded its highest honour, the Nelson Mandela Award, to the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate in recognition of media workers’ dangerous and unrelenting coverage of the conflict in Gaza.
“So far, we lost 246 journalists in occupation, killed in Gaza,” said PJS President Naser Abubaker. “I feel hope because we are feeling not alone because of your solidarity.”
Unifor members stood with Abubaker following adjournment of the day, holding signs that read, “Stop killing journalists.”
UNIFOR QUEBEC AND REGIONAL DIRECTORS’ REPORTS
Daniel Cloutier, who was recently acclaimed Unifor Quebec Director for a second term, championed the hard-fought federal government’s anti-scab legislation, but was worried by the “shameless” use of Article 107 of the Canada Labour Code, vowing to fight for the right to strike.
“In Quebec, it’s a similar story to Bill 89, which now provides the same powers to end a labor dispute and send the parties to arbitration, in all sectors, both public and private,” said Cloutier. “I’m telling you, the fight for the right to strike is not over.”
In his report, Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle blasted BC Transit and the B.C. government for its inaction of the ongoing Transdev strike, bringing attention to how contracting out services is resulting in multiple disputes in public transit, which desperately needs fixing.
“Unifor helped achieve contract flipping protection for transit workers in 2018, and transit workers have been fighting back ever since while the government does nothing,” he said.
Unifor Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi celebrated Unifor’s Alstom members in Thunder Bay, Ont. being awarded the contract to build Toronto subway trains, but said Ontario’s health care system remains in crisis and we need significant investment to release the pressure valve of the current staffing crisis.
“This investment secures hundreds of good jobs for our Local 1075 members and shows exactly why made-in-Canada procurement and strong industrial strategy matter,” said Hashi. “When the U.S. turned its back on us. And when companies think they can play politics with our jobs, we don’t flinch.”
Unifor Atlantic Region Director Jennifer Murray proudly showcased the recent work around Intimate Partner Violence in the east coast, including the first-ever symposium in New Brunswick.
“We are winning for women by demanding governments recognize that they have a role to play in ending violence and never accepting no for an answer. But our governments can continue to say ‘No,’ and we will continue to push,” said Murray.
REMEMBERING A LABOUR MOVEMENT LEGEND
Later that afternoon, Unifor National President Lana Payne paid tribute to labour leader Buzz Hargrove, who passed away in June at 81. The room stood and held a moment of silence.
“Buzz Hargrove was a towering figure in Canadian labour—a leader whose strength, conviction, and unwavering commitment to social justice helped shape the union we are today,” said Payne.
Delegates also heard from those who walked alongside Buzz in the movement with heartfelt tributes to the historic labour leader and the unmistakeable legacy he leaves behind.
Read the full day two Canadian Convention story
See the photos from the second day of Canadian Convention
PRESIDENT PAYNE RISES UP FOR SECOND TERM
Lana Payne vowed to continue fighting for workers everywhere in Canada after she won the election for the National President seat by a landslide on day 3 of the convention.
“We have workers to defend, jobs to protect and a country and economy to get on track. And this country needs us. Canada needs this union. It needs the progressive force that we are,” she said.
Unifor paid tribute to striking workers, who shared struggles and stories from bargaining to the picket line.
Delegates received updates from the union’s Organizing department, which highlighted their historic wins since the last convention three years ago, particularly in retail and logistics with Amazon warehouse workers and Wal-Mart fleet drivers.
Transport Workers’ Union National Secretary Michael Kaine boosted the global Safe Rates campaign, blasted greedy corporations, and encouraged solidarity building among members.
Read the full day three Canadian Convention story
See the photos from the third day of Canadian Convention
RALLY CRY FOR PROTECTING CANADIAN JOBS
Wearing “Protect Canadian Jobs” t-shirts, Unifor members, leadership, and supporters held a solidarity rally on the fourth day of the convention. They shouted a clear message that they won’t back down from defending the country’s workers in all sectors.
“(Trump) wants to steal our jobs, to take our critical resources and undermine our democracy and our very sovereignty and he still sees us as the 51st state. This is the fight of our lives. And I want to be very clear – Trump will not win,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
In his presentation, Unifor Research Director Angelo DiCaro outlined the union’s new innovative vision of Charting a New Path for Canada’s Economy.
In the afternoon, delegates listened to a panel on how to protect Canada’s economy moving forward, hosted by union economist Jim Stanford, featuring (name panelists)
CONVENTION PRESENTS BUD JIMMERFIELD AWARD
As the 2025 Bud Jimmerfield recipient, Rob Giroux was acknowledged for his tireless and exemplary commitment to occupational health and safety, within his workplace, his union and his community.
Read the full day four Canadian Convention story
See the photos from the fourth day of Canadian Convention
UNIFOR LOCALS AND NATIONAL RAISE $500,000 FOR STRIKING WORKERS
As the convention wound down to a close on day 5, Unifor announced the total donations for striking workers. Both locals and the national union raised $500,000 to support those on strike or lockout.
Delegates and the national union also raised $30,000 for Monarch Place Transition House, which provides safe shelter to women and their children experiencing intimate partner violence and seeking support services.
