Share
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.
“Dairy processing workers are the backbone of Canada’s agricultural supply chain,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “The industry is under increased threat from global trade conflicts and tariffs that harm Canadian workers. We must defend good jobs and work together to safeguard Canada’s supply chains and economy.”
At the heart of the discussions was a commitment to improving wages and enhancing benefits for all workers. Members also prioritized addressing workload issues and resisting employer attempts to rely on temp agencies or temporary workers to avoid hiring full-time staff. Mental health benefits, paid leave, and stronger protections against job impacts from automation and artificial intelligence were also central to the strategy. Members explored ways to align contracts across workplaces, aiming to reduce disparities and set common standards for working conditions and wages across the sector.
“Dairy processing workers know that our strength lies in our ability to come together and find common ground,” says Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi. “This meeting build solidarity and showed how united we are in fighting for better wages, stronger benefits, and fair working conditions for every worker in this crucial industry.”
The sector includes workers in roles such as wholesale drivers, lab technicians, custodians, skilled tradespeople, and power engineers—each role is vital to maintaining the efficiency and safety of Canada’s dairy supply chain.
“Bringing union activists together from across the country allows us to share our challenges and solutions,” said Unifor Atlantic Regional Director Jennifer Murray. “By working together, we can set a strong standard for collective bargaining that ensures fair treatment and better conditions for all dairy processing workers from coast to coast to coast.”
The meeting equipped Unifor members with a unified approach and clear priorities, strengthening their collective bargaining position to protect jobs, improve workplace conditions, and ensure a stronger future for the sector.
