Nearly 100 Unifor hospital members from across Ontario gathered in Toronto from May 21–23 for the union’s Hospital Bargaining Conference to begin shaping the priorities for the next round of bargaining amid growing challenges across the sector.
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.
Unifor members deliver strong strike mandate at VIA Rail
Dear Members,
Council 4000 and Local 100 have concluded strike votes across the VIA Rail system, delivering a strong and united mandate to their bargaining committees as negotiations continue under the conciliation process.
Council 4000 members voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action with 97.5% support, while Local 100 members also delivered a strong strike mandate with 96% support.
OSHAWA, ONT.—Unifor members working at Durham Region Transit voted 98% on May 21 for strike action if they cannot reach an agreement with the region by midnight on June 6.
“The region has a responsibility to invest in public transit and in the workers who uphold it, especially as the community continues to grow,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
If the two sides cannot negotiate a new contract, Unifor members will be in a legal strike position on Sat., June 7 at 12:01 a.m.
Canadian transit and logistics systems offer one of the largest public procurement programs that can be leveraged to support Made-in-Canada production.
Procurement programs for transit buses, delivery vehicles, inter-city bus, and fleet services should all be prioritizing manufacturing production and jobs in Canada. This includes supporting local municipal procurement programs that outline made in Canada options and supports.
Unifor is calling on all levels of government and industry to step up and fight back against U.S. tariffs on Canadian products. While there are some industries who are more heavily impacted than others through direct trade activity, the tariffs are an economy-wide threat to Canada.
BRADFORD, ON – Unifor is condemning the decision by U.S.-based multinational Selig Group to relocate major industrial equipment from its Bradford, Ontario manufacturing facility to a plant in Chicago - threatening the livelihoods of dozens of workers.
TORONTO— Unifor, Canada’s largest private sector union, is calling on the federal government to take immediate and aggressive action against corporations that move jobs out of Canada in response to U.S. trade measures. The union has presented a detailed proposal, including legislative amendments, outlining how the Foreign Extraterritorial Measures Act (FEMA) can be deployed to penalize corporations that offshore or outsource work to the detriment of Canada’s national interest.
TORONTO – Unifor says the Ontario budget delivers major new spending on tariff-mitigation measures and economic safeguards to help workers and businesses navigate a U.S.-provoked trade war but falls short on holding corporations to account.
On this International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, Unifor reflects on lives impacted by hate and reaffirms our commitment to bringing working people together with respect and shared purpose in times of growing division. This year’s theme, “The Power of Communities,” reminds us that lasting change doesn’t come from individuals acting alone—it comes from the strength of our collective voices. At Unifor, we see this power every day in our workplaces, locals, and activist networks.
TW Distribution was recently the scene of a moving, but above all inspiring, story that saw two members of Unifor Local 698—David Savard (unit president) and Steve Comptois, along with Mireille Vinet, a non-unionized employee—perform a heroic act that literally saved a life.
During a press conference held Friday, April 25, Unifor joined a broad coalition of key stakeholders in Quebec’s forestry sector opposed to Bill 97, tabled by the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry.. Although long awaited, this bill in its current form is doomed to failure. It neglects to address the environmental challenges facing the entire forestry industry, as well as the sector’s pressing economic and social needs.
Unifor is fighting back against the tariff war initiated by the United States. Together, we have urged the government to invest in Canada’s rail networks and infrastructure and to enhance regulations in order to safely and efficiently carry goods across the nation into Canadian ports and transportation hubs, and into new markets, to support and build our economy while protecting Canada’s supply chain and jobs.
TORONTO- Honda’s decision to stall a $15 billion electric vehicle supply chain in Ontario is the latest blow to Canadian autoworkers, as U.S. President Donald Trump’s escalating attacks on the EV sector and cross-border auto trade continue to put Canadian jobs at risk.
Canadians facing an unprecedented threat to our cultural and political sovereignty. U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threat to impose a 100% tariff on foreign-made movies is just the latest provocation, and his administration has also raised concerns regarding the Digital Services Tax (DST) and some new obligations arising from the Online Streaming Act and the Online News Act.
VANCOUVER—Strong wage and benefit increases are highlights of a new collective agreement ratified May 10, 2025, by Unifor Local 3000 members, ending the 12-day strike at the Arbutus Club, a private club in Vancouver.
“Congratulations to the Unifor members at the Arbutus Club, who stood up to the employer to win a fair contract that reflects their important contribution to the Club’s operations,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “When we fight, we win.”
On Friday May 9, the U.S. Industry and Security Bureau issued a draft notice announcing a new national security investigation into imports of commercial aircraft, jet engines, and related parts under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act. This move signals a potential shift toward imposing tariffs or other trade barriers on Canadian-made aerospace products—a deeply concerning development for Canada’s aerospace workers.
This vote was taken following offers deemed "insufficient" by the union. Negotiation committees from all provinces held meetings with members and gathered a strong strike vote from DHL Express members across the country.
We represent roughly 2,500 unionized employees of DHL Express nationwide. Unifor began negotiations with DHL Express Canada over six months ago, but to date, the union is still awaiting a concrete response to more than half of its demands, particularly regarding wage conditions.
Canada’s air transportation workers were stunned by U.S. President Donald Trump’s unprovoked and illegal trade war and his inflammatory comments threatening Canada’s sovereignty.
From the potential for a recession to the reorganization of travel away from the U.S., the actions of this U.S. administration have the potential to seriously impact our industry and the global economy.
MONTREAL— Unifor’s VIA Rail master bargaining committees are preparing to conduct strike votes after a disappointing week of negotiations failed to move the employer off major concessions that threaten job security and working conditions.
VIA Rail refuses to move on concessions; strike votes begin
Dear Members,
Council 4000 and Local 100 master bargaining committees met with VIA Rail from May 6 to 9 under the conciliation process. What unfolded at the table this week was a complete failure by the employer to bargain seriously or respectfully.
