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Union Members Appreciation BBQ Held During Calgary Stampede

Unifor hosted a successful members appreciation BBQ during the Calgary Stampede on July 10, 2024. The event, held to thank union members for their hard work and dedication, saw a fantastic turnout despite the heat, with members and their families enjoying food, music, and solidarity under the summer sun. 

Unifor members ratify new collective agreement with Shell

EDMONTON—Wage increases and a plan to move the Scotford refinery’s contract more in line with the Unifor Energy Bargaining Program are highlights of a four-year collective agreement ratified by Local 530-A members.

“I want to congratulate our members on standing up to a powerful employer and getting an incredible contract,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Achieving these gains was only possible because our members stood shoulder to shoulder to achieve fairness, and move all energy workers forward.”

Support Best Theratronics Workers on Strike!

A message from National President Lana Payne on 44 members on strike since May 1 at Best Theratronics – a medical manufacturing plant in Kanata,Ontario where they make equipment used in cancer treatments. 

This is their first labour dispute.

They were at the end of their rope. Let me tell you why. 

Unifor members ratify new contract with Manitoba Hydro

WINNIPEG—The public sector wage pattern and several benefits enhancements are highlights of the collective agreement ratified by members of Unifor Local 681.

“Unifor members at Manitoba Hydro Utility Services have worked hard to win a fair contract with the employer,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Congratulations to the bargaining committee and the membership for staying strong and bargaining tough.”

Unifor Local 2000 donates $428K from defunct trust program to local charities

Unifor members in the Local 2000 Printing Industry Health and Welfare Plan made two donations earlier this year, benefitting a children’s hospice and local food bank, in wake of the closing trust.

“Unifor commends Local 2000 for their generosity that benefits the province and communities across the B.C. region,” said Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle. “Our union isn’t only about fighting for workers, but supporting the important charities and programs that are part of the social fabric.”

We won anti-scab legislation!

Message from Unifor National President Lana Payne

To: All Unifor Members, Local union Presidents & Recording Secretaries, NEB, National Staff 

Unifor members ratify contract with Coast Coal Harbour Hotel

VANCOUVER—Significant wage increases and a reduction in housekeeping workloads are highlights of a collective agreement ratified by Unifor Local 3000 members at the Coast Coal Harbour Hotel.

“This agreement raises the bar in the hospitality industry for all hotel workers,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “The bargaining committee could not have achieved these gains without the strength and solidarity from the members on the floor.”

Paladin security screeners at Calgary airport restricted from water, bathroom breaks

CALGARY–On the first day of the Calgary Stampede, Unifor is holding a rally at Calgary International Airport on July 5 to shine a spotlight on Paladin, after the security company’s refusal to provide bathroom breaks and water to workers.

“Access to water and washrooms are the most basic of asks in a workplace,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. 

Calgary airport security workers to protest lack of access to water and breaks

CALGARY—Unifor Local 2002 members and supporters at Calgary International Airport will rally on Friday, July 5 at noon to protest human rights violations by Paladin Security, which has prevented workers from accessing bathroom breaks and water.

“When a company prevents workers from rest breaks and hydration, it is both a human rights and a health and safety issue,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

Unifor supports Newfoundland and Labrador fish harvesters’ call for reestablishment of Northern Cod Stewardship Fishery

Unifor and the Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union (FFAW) is urging the public to support fish harvesters in Newfoundland and Labrador, who are calling for the federal government to reverse its decision to reopen the northern cod commercial fishery to the offshore companies and return instead to the stewardship fishery.

“The federal government needs to exercise responsibility and reinstate the Northern Cod Stewardship Fishery to ensure that the resource continues to rebuild and be protected for generations to come,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

Unifor applauds Ontario government direction of ad spends to Canadian journalism organizations

TORONTO—Unifor supports the Ontario government’s announcement today that it will direct key provincial agencies to ensure at least 25% of their ad spends will go to Ontario publishers, a move that encourages saving local news.

“We all know that community, regional and national news publishers have been facing and struggling with declining ad sales,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

Joint Statement from Unifor National President Lana Payne and Premier Doug Ford

TORONTO — Today, Premier Doug Ford and Unifor National President Lana Payne issued the following joint statement on the need for the federal government to invest in jobs in Thunder Bay:

“To protect production, good union jobs and maintain servicing capacity of subway trains in Thunder Bay, we are calling on the federal government to step forward with its share of funding for replacement subway trains for the TTC’s Line 2.

Bell Media continues to slash and burn jobs before Canada Day long weekend

TORONTO – Unifor is deeply concerned and outraged that Bell Media has once again announced restructuring plans, this time, giving notice to close to 50 Unifor media workers.

“This is a corporation that has made billions of profits at the end of last year and they continue to carry on with their profit-over-people principle,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. 

“This is yet another blow to journalism and democracy and a step towards bigger swaths of news deserts across Canada.”

Unifor marks 40th anniversary of Mine Mill tragedy

Unifor representatives attended the 40th anniversary memorial of the tragedy at the Falconbridge mine in Sudbury, Ontario and presented Mine Mill Local 598 with a special award to honour their commitment to health and safety.

Unifor members vote to strike at Coast Coal Harbour Hotel

VANCOUVER—Unifor Local 3000 members have voted 98% in favour of strike action after contract negotiations broke off this month. 

“Over the term of the last contract, inflation was the highest we’ve seen in four decades,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “At the same time, we know the hospitality industry has bounced back to pre-COVID levels and is making more money than ever.”

Unifor welcomes federal consultations to guard against made-in-China electric vehicle imports

On Monday, June 24, Unifor National President Lana Payne joined workers, politicians and auto industry representatives for the federal government’s announcement of a 30-day consultation on potential policy response to guard against unfair Chinese electric vehicle imports.

Launching July 2, the consultations will solicit opinions on how best to prevent dumping and other unfair practices by EV manufacturers in China that threaten Canadian auto and auto parts jobs across the country. 

Unifor members learn about Indigenous diversity

On National Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Mi’kmaq lawyer, professor and activist Pam Palmater joined Unifor Indigenous Liaison Gina Smoke to lead a webinar introducing the diverse traditions and protocols used by Indigenous communities.

“There is a rich diversity of cultures and traditions across Turtle Island,” said Smoke. “We want to help members appreciate that there is not one monolithic ‘First Nation,’ but thousands with their own histories and enduring practices.”

Bombardier strike continues after Unifor rejects company’s final offer

During yesterday’s negotiations with Bombardier, the company presented a final offer to the union. The bargaining committees reviewed the proposal, deemed it insufficient and ultimately rejected the final offer. 

As a result, the strike at the Bombardier facility will continue.

Both parties remain apart on key union priorities. However, specific details of the negotiations will not be made public to protect the integrity of the bargaining process. 

Unifor Local 112 and 673 members at Bombardier on strike

Today, 1,350 Unifor Local 112 and 673 members at Bombardier are on strike after the union and company did not reach an agreement by an 11:59 p.m. strike deadline on Saturday.

The union’s bargaining committee members are working towards an agreement and both parties remain committed to continuing the bargaining process.

Negotiations between Unifor and Bombardier continued throughout last night and into late this morning. Both parties agreed to resume negotiations early tomorrow morning.

Further updates will be provided to Unifor members as the situation develops.

Unifor members ratify new collective agreement with SaskTel

REGINA—New protocols for discussing working conditions are some of the highlights of a new three-year collective agreement ratified by members of Unifor Locals 1-S and 2-S.

“Unifor members are at the core of successful Saskatchewan Crown corporations like SaskTel,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “This agreement helps make workers part of the discussion to maintain high-quality services while protecting good jobs.”

Lana Payne letter to Ministers Champagne, Ng and O’Regan re: CUSMA six-year review

The Honourable Minister François-Philippe Champagne, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry        

The Honourable Mary Ng, P.C., M.P. 
Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development

The Honourable Minister O’Regan, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Labour and Seniors

Ministers Champagne, Ng, O’Regan,

New digital ads from Unifor and PSAC target Best Theratronics to bargain a fair deal

Unifor and the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) have launched a series of digital billboard ads directed at Best Theratronics in Kanata, Ont., to treat their workers with respect and get back to the bargaining table with a fair deal.

“This company has ignored our members’ concerns about workplace safety by use of scab labour and continue to have the nerve of proposing a two-year contract, with zero wage increases,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

Wages, pensions addressed in new Quaker Oats contract

Members at PepsiCo Foods Canada, which operate the Quaker Oats manufacturing facility in Peterborough, Ont., have ratified a new three-year contract.

“Congratulations to the bargaining committee for fighting for a contract that addresses the needs of the members,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. 

“As we’re living through an affordability crisis, there needs to be equity when it comes to accessing wages and benefits – whether it’s new hires or retired workers, and I’m proud that the union succeeded.”