Unifor is calling for swift action following General Motors’ announcement that it plans to reduce its Oshawa Assembly Plant from a three shift to a two shift operation this fall, citing Trump imposed tariffs.
TORONTO— U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest executive order to phase in new tariffs on auto parts is part of a continued attack on Canada’s auto sector and the tens of thousands of workers it supports.
VANCOUVER—More than 200 unionized workers at Vancouver’s exclusive Arbutus Club have begun job action for fair wages.
“The affordability crisis is front and centre with this labour dispute,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “The Arbutus Club caters to the city's wealthiest clientele. Surely it can afford to pay the employees a decent, liveable wage.”
The club, which charges tens of thousands of dollars in initiation fees, includes high-profile elites such as Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim and Vancouver Canucks owner Francesco Aquilini.
TORONTO – Unifor congratulates Liberal leader Mark Carney on his election and urges him to swiftly take action to build a stronger, more resilient Canadian economy for working people in light of the trade war with the U.S.
WINDSOR- With fists raised and voices roaring, thousands of Unifor members, labour leaders, and allies surged into Windsor’s Riverfront Festival Plaza today in a powerful show of defiance against U.S. President Trump’s assault on Canadian jobs.
“Trump’s trade war is a direct attack on Canadian workers, and today we are sending a clear message – we won’t back down,” declared Unifor National President Lana Payne. “We will fight for our jobs, our industries, our future and our country. This rally is proof that we are united, we are strong, and we are ready.”
THUNDER BAY, ONT.—Unifor supports Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s call for Toronto to have its Line 2 subway cars manufactured at the Alstom plant in Thunder Bay. This move is expected to secure jobs for workers represented by Unifor Local 1075.
“Unifor backs the push to see our Thunder Bay members building subway cars for Toronto,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Ensuring different levels of governments are coordinating to put procurement dollars to work and maximize Canadian jobs is always good policy and, in these times, even more so.”
TORONTO— U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest threat to raise auto tariffs on Canadian-made vehicles is a direct attack on Canadian workers and a reckless move that could dismantle the integrated North American auto industry, says Unifor.
DUNCAN, B.C.— Unifor members have rejected Transdev’s latest offer, continuing a strike now in its 11th week. The dispute centers on wage disparities between Transdev workers and other B.C. transit employees, particularly in Victoria and Vancouver.
"Our union will continue to stand strong alongside our transit members to achieve fairness in a region with a rapidly growing cost of living," Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Our members deserve fair wages that reflect today’s affordability challenges.”
Toronto/Montreal – Unifor members at Bell (BCE.TO) and its subsidiaries are organizing to protest multi-million executive bonuses at the company’s upcoming AGM.
“Bell can expect our union to be vocal when the executives continue to cut good jobs while rewarding themselves with fat bonuses,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “We are asking shareholders to examine the facts: more layoffs, a stunning drop in profits, and lucrative executive bonuses and we are asking they push back and demand better from the company’s C-suite and board of directors.”
TORONTO—Unifor is calling out Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) for unilaterally slashing workers’ commission pay during its retail liquidation—a move that violates collective agreements and reduces workers’ income as they prepare for mass termination.
Toronto, Quebec City – April 16, 2025 – The Canadian Association of Stand-up, Sketch & Improv Comedians (CASC) is proud to announce a strategic partnership with the Canadian Freelance Union-Unifor (CFU) to advance the rights and benefits of Canadian comedians nationwide.
TORONTO – While Unifor is encouraged that Honda Canada has confirmed its facility in Alliston, Ontario, will operate at full capacity for the foreseeable future with no changes being considered at this time the union cautions vigilance amid the ongoing threat to Canadian auto jobs posed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
INGERSOLL—The news of General Motors' decision to temporarily halt and then reduce production of the BrightDrop electric delivery van at CAMI Assembly Plant is devastating for Unifor members, their families, and the entire Ingersoll community.
ESPANOLA, Ont.—Unifor is repeating its call for all three levels of government to urgently develop an industrial plan for the forestry sector following the proposed sale of Domtar’s long-curtailed Espanola pulp and paper mill.
VICTORIA — Transdev transit workers in Cowichan Valley have been on strike for over eight weeks – since February 8 – fighting for access to bathrooms that are not shared by the public and reasonable break times to use them.
“Sanitation and access to restrooms are a basic human right,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
“Our members’ strike is about basic working conditions, which are critical to deliver the public transit services they provide to the community of Cowichan.”
TORONTO—Canadian counter-tariffs of 25% on vehicles imported from U.S., which came into effect today, are a necessary retaliation says Unifor.
“There is absolutely no justification for the United States to impose tariffs on Canadian vehicles. Canada did not start this trade war, but we have no choice but to fight. We refuse to back down and sacrifice Canada’s auto jobs and industry on Donald Trump’s altar,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
TORONTO—Unifor is calling for a large-scale Team Canada approach to support the forestry sector across Canada after the U.S. Department of Commerce’s recent announcement that will more than double the combined duties on Canadian softwood lumber.
WINDSOR— Stellantis has responded to the imposition of a 25% auto tariff with the temporary layoff of thousands of Unifor Local 444 members at Windsor Assembly Plant and additional layoffs in Mexico and at U.S. facilities.
TORONTO—Unifor is calling on the federal government to keep all options on the table in the escalating trade war with the U.S. as new auto tariffs will fall on Canada’s auto sector at midnight tonight.
TORONTO—Unifor condemns Bell Canada Enterprises (BCE) executives for awarding themselves more than $5 million in bonuses, including nearly $2.4 million to CEO Mirko Bibic, following massive job cuts and stock drops.
“This announcement dropped on April Fool’s Day, but sadly, this is no joke,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
“The company laid off thousands, its stock went down by 30% and yet, the richest and most powerful continue to profit off the back of our members.”
MONTREAL - Unifor strongly condemns the U.S. government's inclusion of Bill 96 - and all measures protecting the French language - as a “foreign trade barrier” in the latest National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers. This position reflects a profound misunderstanding of Quebec's linguistic rights and democratic choices.
DURHAM—Members Unifor Local 4268, who are First Student Bus drivers in Durham Region voted to support a strike mandate after negotiations with the company remain far apart on key issues of work-life balance and wages.
TORONTO— With the imposition of a 25% tariff on all vehicles manufactured outside of the United States President Donald Trump has escalated his unjust assault on the Canadian economy and autoworkers.
“Donald Trump has convinced himself that, somehow, the jobs of Canadian autoworkers are his to claim,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “We have built cars here for over a century, long before the U.S. was our primary trade partner. I will state this as clearly and unequivocally as I can. These are not his jobs to take.”
TORONTO— Unifor is calling out Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) for awarding management bonuses while thousands of workers face termination and learn that the company has publicly refused to honour its severance pay obligations.
LANIGAN, SK—Unifor Local 922 members at Nutrien have voted in favour of a new collective agreement that delivers wage increases and benefit improvements.
“Potash miners help extract a key strategic resource for Canadians,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “From wages to benefits, Local 922 has secured improvements that reflect their value to Nutrien and the important work they do.”
HALIFAX–The Health Support Council of Unions has filed for conciliation as negotiations for 4,600 workers with the IWK and Nova Scotia Health hit a brick wall.
TORONTO- Unifor launches Unifor Votes campaign to get out the union vote ahead of the April 28 federal election.
“Working people across Canada have been caught in the crosshairs of an escalating trade war launched by the United States against our economy. Tens of thousands of jobs, communities and entire industries are on the line,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “It’s time to vote to protect Canadian jobs and ask all parties what they plan to do to build a strong, resilient economy in Canada.”
TORONTO— Unifor demands that Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) put workers ahead of other creditors as it moves to liquidate assets and restructure under creditor protection.
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.
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