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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.”
The panel brought together representatives from Unifor and three other unions to discuss the critical role of organized labour in shaping Canada's nuclear industry. He used the example of senior unionized professional engineers who, with job security assured by a union, can mentor and develop the next generation of skilled professionals without the threat of displacement by lower-cost junior staff. This knowledge transfer is critical to a safe and effective workplace and improves working conditions for senior and junior worker alike.
The panel also discussed Canada's growing electricity demand and Ziaei outlined how CANDU nuclear power is the key for meeting that demand through clean, reliable, and cost-effective supply.
CANDU is Canadian technology and a Canadian supply chain from design, fuel, build, and operate. It is a unique type of pressurized heavy water reactor using un-enriched Uranium as fuel. Unifor members mine and refine the Uranium, design, engineer, and support the maintenance the reactors, and make the high-quality metal tubing and parts, and package the Uranium into fuel rods. Today, CANDU is licenced to by the Canadian company AtkinsRéalis.
Ziaei cautioned against the industry’s practice of exporting skilled work to lower-cost labour centres such as Argentina, the UK, and India, arguing that this approach undermines investment in the Canadian workforce and erodes the skills base that nuclear operations depend upon. He also raised concerns about the overuse of domestic contractors, noting that this practice limits an employer's ability to hire and train workers internally, and frequently generates unnecessary friction with unions.
A recurring theme was the importance of early engagement in building the future nuclear workforce. Ziaei emphasized that exposing students early to career pathways in trades, technical roles, engineering, and related fields can meaningfully shape their career trajectories. Investing in Canadian-made technology and domestic educational programs can help retain homegrown talent and ensure new graduates are more likely to build their careers in Canada.
“If the trade war has taught us one thing, it is that Canadian supply chains are critical to the nation’s long-term economic health,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “CANDU technology is no different. Governments must support existing CANDU technology, ‘buy Canadian’ to ensure energy security, and support good jobs.”
Unifor represents 12 locals and their subgroups across the nuclear industry, covering organizations such as BWXT Canada, Orano, the Canadian Light Source, Jubilant DraxImage, McMaster University, and Candu Energy Inc.
Read more about Unifor’s campaign to support Canada’s nuclear workers.
