VICTORIA – Transit workers represented by Unifor Local 333-BC will begin an overtime ban at BC Transit as of September 1, escalating job action in Greater Victoria after more than a year without a collective agreement.
Members remain on the job and buses continue to run. Because scheduled service depends on members taking overtime, riders should expect a noticeable impact on service.
TORONTO—Unifor applauds the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)'s decision to proceed with developing rules that will ensure Canadian programming is available and visible on online streaming services. At the same time, the union is also calling on the federal government to also immediately move ahead with implementing the contributions requirements for digital streamers.
The Commission’s decisive move comes after the issue played a significant role in ending trade talks with the U.S.
"I have witnessed remarkable courage in the face of adversity. I’ve witnessed victories, challenges, uncertainty, and I’ve witnessed joy and a hell of a lot of love. But most importantly, I have witnessed the strength of working people and everywhere I have gone, one message is clear: we are all worth the fight," Unifor Atlantic Regional Director Jennifer Murray.
“We cannot simply defend the union density we inherited…we have to also built a union density that the next generation will need,” Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle.
“I know what this union does with hard years. We turn them into organizing. We turn them into legislation. We turn them into contracts our members are proud of. And communities that are a little bit stronger for having us in their corner.” Unifor Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi.
“We are meeting at a time when the world around us is ever changing. And for many working people, leaving them with a sense of uncertainty about their future…But there is one thing that has not changed. People need their union,” Unifor National Secretary-Treasurer Len Poirier.
As the Canadian government walked away from trade negotiations with the United States amid escalating tensions, delegates to Unifor’s Canadian Council 2026 in Ottawa committed to intensifying the fight to protect Canadian jobs.
On the Friday of the council, Unifor National President Lana Payne welcomed the growing resolve against U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs and threats to key Canadian industries.
TORONTO—Unifor members at General Motors voted overwhelmingly to ratify contracts that secure new products and investment, while also delivering the wages and benefit improvements in the union’s pattern agreement.
Cheryl Williams, Unifor Local 114 member, accepted the 2026 Bud Jimmerfield Award at Unifor Canadian Council in Ottawa, recognizing a decade of work making Cascade Aerospace a safer place to work.
“Health and safety leadership is rarely one big moment. It is a thousand acts of persistence, and Cheryl Williams has strung together ten years of them,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
Delegates to Unifor’s Canadian Council in Ottawa turned their attention Saturday to strengthening local unions, advancing national bargaining priorities and defending workers in industries facing profound economic change.
"Every day we fight at the bargaining table to improve lives. That's our daily bread. But it's not enough." Quebec Director Daniel Cloutier at Unifor Canadian Council.
"This is more than a trade war. It is a war against working people." National President Lana Payne, opening Unifor Canadian Council in Ottawa with a call to defend good union jobs and Canadian industry.
Lana Payne said Unifor will not be “giving up or giving in” as the trade war with the U.S. continues to escalate.
Addressing delegates on the first day of Unifor’s 2026 Canadian Council in Ottawa, the union’s National President repeatedly returned to solidarity as the answer to efforts to divide workers.
“Our union has been fighting this trade war for almost two years, and now finally we are seeing a strengthening of resolve in many places. I say, ‘Welcome to the fight.’ We are the union that is going to save Canada, and yes, protect Canadian jobs,” she said.
In the run-up to an election campaign, Quebec finds itself embroiled in an unprecedented trade war. Since January 2025, our plants have been dealing with a series of tariff attacks from Washington, with duties on softwood lumber soaring to 144% in 2025 alone and sectoral tariffs of up to 50% on aluminum, copper and a constantly growing list of other products.
TORONTO—Unifor welcomes the Canadian tariff countermeasures announced today but is reiterating the union’s call for stronger industrial policies and income security measures, as the trade war with the United States escalates.
BURNABY, B.C.—Contract concessions demanded by one of Metro Vancouver’s key waste treatment providers have pushed Unifor Local 433 to initiate strike action starting at 6 a.m. Pacific on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
TORONTO—Unifor commends the decision to stand firm on securing a fair trade deal with the United States despite the Trump administration’s imposition of additional punishing and illegal tariffs.
“Canadian negotiators made the right decision by walking away. We can’t trade good jobs for a bad deal that would cement unjust, industry-killing tariffs,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “It was clear the never-ending list of concession demands were untenable.”
TORONTO—Unifor has reached tentative agreements with General Motors (GM) on behalf of more than 4,600 union members.
“Our bargaining committee worked diligently to reach these agreements, which deliver strong income and benefit gains, amid some of the most challenging times in our history,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
The new tentative agreements cover members of Unifor Locals 222, 88,199 and 636 employed at the Oshawa Assembly Plant, CAMI Assembly Plant in Ingersoll, St. Catharines Propulsion Plant and Woodstock Parts Distribution Centre.
Members, families, retirees and supporters gathered outside the Saint-Gobain plant in Plattsville, Ontario on August 20 for a solidarity barbecue backing the 42 Unifor Local 12 members on strike at the facility.
“No one on this picket line is standing alone,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Local 12 members deserve fair wages, a secure pension, respect on the job and Unifor will stand with you until we reach a fair agreement.”
PORT MELLON, B.C.—The curtailment of operations at Domtar’s Howe Sound pulp and paper mill is more evidence of a deepening forestry sector crisis and demands immediate action from the B.C. and federal government, says Unifor.
“Collapse of the forestry industry in the west, a core pillar of the economy, is just around the corner if governments don’t act now,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
Unifor’s Road Transport Council strongly condemns the Ford government’s stalling of contract negotiations with school bus operators in Grey Bruce and call on the government to resume contract talks immediately.
The Honourable David Eby, K.C. Premier of British Columbia Office of the Premier PO Box 9041 Stn Prov Govt Victoria, BC V8W 9E1
Dear Premier Eby:
We write to request urgent action and support for hundreds of forestry workers in Prince George who have learned from Canfor that they will be out of work by the end of this year and for the thousands of forestry workers still at risk.
The Honourable Patty Hajdu Minister of Jobs and Families Employment and Social Development Canada
Dear Minister Hajdu,
I am writing to request urgent action to support hundreds of forestry workers in Prince George, British Columbia, who will be put out of work at the end of this year.
Specifically, we are urgently requesting that the federal government make permanent or at least extend the Temporary Employment Insurance Measures, which are currently set to expire on October 10, 2026.
Applications are now open for the fall intake of Unifor's Local Union Equity Fund (LUEF).
The Local Union Equity Fund (LUEF) supports local unions in developing and expanding initiatives that advance equity, remove barriers, and create more inclusive workplaces and communities. By investing in local projects, the fund helps strengthen equity across Unifor and empowers members to drive meaningful change.
Unifor is investing up to $250,000 to support projects through the fund in 2026.
Unifor is sounding the alarm as Stellantis is seriously considering closing and selling the Brampton Assembly Plant. Watch the media announcement for the latest from Lana Payne, Unifor National President and Vito Beato, Unifor Vice-Chair of Stellantis Council and Unifor Local 1285 President.
Unifor is deeply concerned following the disclosure that Stellantis is seriously considering the closure and sale of the Brampton Assembly Plant.
On August 12, 2026, the company informed the union of its intent to open discussions with another firm about the potential sale of the plant.
Stellantis has not provided our union with formal written notice of closure of the Brampton plant. Under the terms of our Collective Agreement, the company must provide no less than one-year’s notice of any such closure or sale.
VICTORIA – Unifor Local 333-BC has served 72-hour strike notice to BC Transit, placing members in a legal strike position once the notice period expires at 3:00 p.m. PT on Sunday, August 16.
“Our members have been at this table for more than a year, and they have been very patient,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Serving notice is how the union shows we are serious about getting an agreement that our members can support. BC Transit now has a clear window to settle this at the table, and that is exactly where we want it settled.”
