All News

Canada Lands Company locks out CN Tower workers ahead of Canada Day

TORONTO—In a move that disrupts one of Canada’s top tourist destinations during the height of the summer season, Canada Lands Company, a federal Crown corporation, has locked out more than 250 unionized workers at the CN Tower just before the Canada Day holiday.

Unifor members ratify new deal with DHL Express Canada, ending labour dispute

TORONTO—Unifor Members at DHL Express Canada have ratified a new four-year agreement by 72%, officially ending a lockout and strike lasting nearly three weeks in locations across the country.

“I am so proud of all the members of the national bargaining committee for standing strong and fighting for the respect they deserved,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. 

Negotiations break down between Unifor and CN Tower ahead of Canada Day

TORONTO—Contract talks between Unifor and the CN Tower, operated by the Canada Lands Company, have reached a standstill, raising the risk of a lockout or strike just ahead of the busy Canada Day holiday.

“We’ve hit an impasse and time is running out,” said Shan Ramanathan, President of Unifor Local 4271. “Our members want a fair deal. We’re ready to bargain, but the company needs to return to the table with a serious commitment to reaching an agreement.”

Unifor and DHL reach tentative agreement, ending Canada-wide strike

TORONTO—Unifor members at DHL Express Canada have reached a tentative agreement after more than two weeks being locked out and on picket lines across the country.

Details of the agreement will not be disclosed until a ratification meeting is held, which will take place in the coming days.

Unifor celebrates historic win as federal Anti-Scab legislation comes into force

TORONTO— Today, Unifor is marking a watershed moment for workers across Canada as federal anti-scab legislation officially takes effect, banning employers from using replacement workers at federally-regulated workplaces during legal strikes or lockouts. This milestone is the direct result of years of tireless advocacy and organizing work by union members and allies across the country.

Best Western Plus workers reject so-called ‘final offer’

Unifor Local 195 members working at the Best Western Plus in Windsor sent the employer an unequivocal message by voting 90% against the inadequate offer from the employer in a mandatory vote.

“Local 195 members will not be bullied into a contract that doesn’t address their concerns,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “It’s time for the employer to begin good-faith negotiations to resolve this dispute. We’re ready to get a fair deal and won’t settle for anything less.”

Unifor mourns the loss of Buzz Hargrove, tireless champion of workers' rights

TORONTO-Unifor is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Basil “Buzz” Hargrove, a beloved and iconic figure in Canada’s labour movement. As National President of the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) from 1992 until his retirement in 2008, Buzz was a tireless advocate for working people and a deeply respected leader whose impact will be felt for generations.

Unifor members at DHL Express Canada locked out after refusing to accept concessions

TORONTO—Unifor members at DHL Express Canada were locked out by their employer after midnight on June 8, after the workers refused to accept concessions put forth by the company.

“We will not stand by while DHL locks out our members across the country and threatens to use scabs in an attempt to pressure our members to take concessions. Our members deserve respect and a fair contract,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

Durham Region Transit workers reach tentative agreement with employer

DURHAM, Ont.—Unifor members at Durham Region Transit (DRT) have reached a tentative agreement with Durham Region on June 6, averting potential strike action.

Details of the agreement will not be disclosed until a ratification meeting is held, which will take place in the coming days.

DRT serves more than 14 million riders annually across Ajax, Brock, Clarington, Oshawa, Pickering, Scugog, Uxbridge, and Whitby.

Closures at Rémabec: Unifor condemns the shutting down of operations

Quebec City — Unifor Québec condemns the announcement of plant closures and the termination Groupe Rémabec’s forest operations. The union is also questioning the motivations behind the employer’s radical decision that will severely impact workers in several regions of Quebec. Close to 1,400 workers could lose their jobs permanently, a real economic shock for several already fragile communities.

Unifor encouraged as N.B. government declares Intimate Partner Violence an epidemic

FREDERICTON–Unifor is encouraged by the motion that passed unanimously in the New Brunswick Legislature today to declare Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) an epidemic and systemic crisis. This declaration follows discussions with Minister of Women’s Equality Lyne Chantal Boudreau at the Unifor Intimate Partner Violence Symposium held on June 3.

DHL Express Canada callously threatens to lock out Unifor members

TORONTO—On June 4, DHL Express Canada served Unifor with notice of its intention to lock out workers, even as negotiations continued – a callous move by a global courier giant that continues to post massive profits and growth.

“This is the purest show of contempt and disrespect to our members. We won’t be intimidated by DHL’s pressure tactics,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

“Our members deserve a fair contract. It’s time this employer delivers respect to its workers.”

Former Unifor members laid off from Glacier Media papers launch their own newspaper co-op

VANCOUVER—Following the closure of Glacier Media’s digital community newspapers in April and May, which affected the jobs of Unifor Local 2000 members, journalists are now banding together to form a worker co-op with the goal of launching a newspaper in regions of British Columbia.

“This grassroots project exemplifies the tenacity and dedication of journalists who care about their communities and the work they produce,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “This is not just a fight against news deserts, but a battle for democracy.”

Unifor warns of potential service interruption as Durham Region Transit strike looms

DURHAM, Ont.—Unifor is warning communities in Durham Region of potential strike action by Durham Region Transit (DRT) workers that will interrupt service in eight communities, as a 12:01 a.m. June 7 deadline looms.

“We stand with our transit members as they fight for what is fair and just,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. 

Talks break off between Unifor and VIA Rail

MONTREAL— Contract talks between Unifor and VIA Rail have broken off, setting the stage for a national rail dispute that threatens to disrupt passenger travel across the country later this month.

“We didn’t come to the table looking for a dispute—we came to get a deal,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “But VIA Rail’s refusal to take our demands seriously has left us with no other choice. If they’re not willing to fix what’s broken, they’re forcing this dispute onto workers and passengers alike.”

Unifor members at the Best Western Plus begin strike action

WINDSOR—Unifor Local 195 members working at the Best Western Plus in Windsor are on the picket line today in a push for fair wages and to fight back against concessionary demands from their employer.

“Unifor members at Best Western Plus deserve wages that reflect the value they bring to the hospitality sector and respect for the hard work they do every day,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Instead of seeking to improve working conditions, the employer has demanded concessions. Our members won’t stand for it.”

Striking Transdev transit workers to rally in front of B.C. legislature

VICTORIA — Unifor will hold a rally in front of the B.C. legislature today to support Transdev transit workers who have been on strike for over 15 weeks – since February 8 – in the Cowichan Valley.

The company refuses to address closing the wage gap between its Cowichan Valley workers in comparison to Victoria Transit. Unifor members are seeking to reduce the gap over the life of their new agreement.

What: Rally for striking Transdev transit workers.

Who: Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle.

Hudson’s Bay workers rally to demand justice as company terminates thousands and denies severance payouts

TORONTO/WINDSOR—Unifor members who work at Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) rallied in Windsor and Toronto to call for urgent insolvency reform and accountability from HBC executives who continue to deny workers’ severance as liquidation nears completion.

The rallies, led by Unifor Locals 40 and 240 which represent nearly 600 HBC workers, brought attention to the devastating impact of HBC’s collapse on its workforce and the broader implications for thousands of Canadian workers caught in corporate bankruptcies. 

Unifor rallies to demand justice for Hudson Bay workers

Unifor is mobilizing in Toronto and Windsor to demand that Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) put workers first as it moves through its liquidation process. The union is calling on HBC to honour its obligations to employees by protecting wages, pensions, and benefits.

Unifor VIA Rail members deliver strong strike mandate

MONTREAL— VIA Rail workers represented by Unifor Council 4000 and Local 100 have delivered a strong strike mandate, with 97.5% voting in favour of strike action. The result reflects widespread frustration with the employer’s conduct at the bargaining table and sends a clear message that members will not accept concessions.