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International Women’s Day 2025

Sisters, on International Women’s Day, we rise together – unstoppable, unbreakable and united in our shared fight for gender justice. We honour the legacy of the women who came before us—those who organized, resisted, and built the foundations of the rights we hold today. Our fight is far from over. Across workplaces, communities, and nations, women still battle gender-based violence, pay inequity, discrimination, and economic insecurity. 

Unifor will fight to prevent job losses at Irving Paper in Saint John

SAINT JOHN–Unifor is disappointed and frustrated by Irving Paper’s communication that 104 members will be laid off in 45 days, with the union committing to fight to prevent job losses.

“My thoughts right now are with the families who are digesting this news tonight and are feeling uncertain about their futures,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Unifor will continue pushing for a smart industrial strategy for forestry that supports these good jobs across New Brunswick and prepares the sector for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”

Unifor Local 101R members ratify agreement with CPKC

CALGARY – Unifor Local 101R members have voted to ratify the tentative agreement reached with Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC).

“Our members worked so hard and stood together to reach this collective agreement in difficult and uncertain economic times,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Together, we achieved important gains in work ownership protections, improved working conditions and greater job security for our members.”

RailLine - Volume 12, Issue 6

CPKC Tentative Agreement Ratified

Dear Members,

Unifor Local 101R members have voted to ratify the tentative agreement reached with Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC).

Best Theratronics strike ends as workers ratify new agreement by 100%

KANATA, ONT. — Unifor members unanimously ratified an agreement with their employer, Best Theratronics, ending their more than nine-month long strike in Kanata, Ont.

“Congratulations to the bargaining committee for making sure members were finally heard and respected,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. 

Unifor Forestry Council Statement on U.S. Tariffs

Canada’s forestry sector is directly in the crosshairs of U.S. President Donald Trump’s chaotic tariff strategy. Trump’s recent comment that he is considering additional tariffs on imported Canadian lumber – which would be on top the existing U.S. countervailing duties (CVDs) and anti-dumping duties (ADDs), and the threatened 25% border tariff – clearly demonstrates that Canada’s forestry sector will be a critical flashpoint in the U.S.-instigated trade war.

Unifor concerned with temporary pause at Brampton Assembly

BRAMPTON- Stellantis’ unexpected announcement today of a temporary pause in work on the next generation Jeep Compass, including activities at the Brampton Assembly Plant, is a matter of grave concern says Unifor. 

 

Unifor members honour MMIWG2S at annual Women's Memorial March

Unifor members joined communities across Canada on February 14 to participate in the Women's Memorial March, a solemn annual event that honours the lives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people (MMIWG2S) and calls for justice.

Unifor denounces Labour Minister’s bill as a frontal attack on the middle class and workers

Montreal, QC – Unifor strongly opposes the bill tabled by Labour Minister Jean Boulet, which aims to undermine workers’ right to strike and give employers an unfair advantage. Under the guise of “protecting the public,” this legislation shifts the balance of bargaining power and amounts to a direct attack on Quebec’s middle class and workers. In these times of uncertainty and rising costs of living, the Legault government has singled out workers as the target for all concessions. 

An attack on workers that will benefit employers 

Statement from Unifor National President Lana Payne on the Delta flight 4819 incident

Unifor sends our solidarity to the crew and passengers of Delta Flight 4819. We are proud of Unifor members' swift response to the incident yesterday at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Unifor Local 2002, District 333 members were onsite almost immediately, providing bus transportation to the terminal and working behind the scenes to assist the Delta passengers once they reached safety at the terminal. Unifor Local 2002 Ornge paramedic members provided medical care to passengers and provided air transport to regional hospitals to those most seriously injured.

Unifor Quebec welcomes awarding of CF-35A training contract to CAE and reiterates the importance of strategic procurement for the Canadian aerospace industry

Montreal– Unifor Quebec, which represents thousands of workers in the aerospace sector, applauds the federal government’s announcement that it will award a major contract to CAE for the training of CF-35A pilots. Valued at $5 billion over 37 years, this contract will create some 1,100 direct jobs, and promises to generate significant economic benefits for Quebec and the country as a whole.

Unifor takes action to end human trafficking

Standing against human trafficking

Every year, Human Trafficking Awareness Day, observed annually on February 22, serves as a solemn reminder of the ongoing fight against one of the most egregious violations of human rights—modern-day slavery. Together, we must take action to eradicate human trafficking in all its forms.

Unifor brings workers’ voice to the PM Council on Canada-U.S. Trade Relations

Post by Lana Payne

Dear Unifor members:

At no time in my lifetime have I felt this worried for the world we live in, but also this hopeful about what we can accomplish as Canadians. Seeing our country come together in solidarity to defend itself, and witnessing all of us stand up together, has been extraordinary. The actions of Canadians these past few weeks have been inspiring.

I know these are scary and uncertain times. Let’s remember, uncertainty and chaos is the goal of President Trump and his administration.

Celebrating women in trades at the Halifax Shipyard

There is a friendly face on billboards throughout the city of Halifax representing the workers at the Halifax Shipyard. Unifor MWF-Local 1 member Krista Lee Langille’s confident smile proudly represents the more than 1,200 unionized workers inside the imposing white structure more than four football fields long that sprawls along the edge of the Halifax Harbour.

Unifor members win historic $15 million award in Wescast dispute

WINGHAM, ON—Unifor won a historic arbitration award totalling approximately $15 million for nearly 200 union members who worked at Wescast Industries Inc., ending a nearly two-year severance and termination pay dispute between the company and the union.

 

Unifor's Quebec Director Daniel Cloutier pleads for a strong industrial strategy before the Senate

Daniel Cloutier, Unifor’s Quebec director, appealed for a strong industrial strategy during his appearance before the Senate Canada-US Briefing Panel and Roundtable Meeting on February 10, 2025. 

His message to parliamentarians was clear: it is imperative to defend Canadian jobs, while initiating a genuine industrial transformation to ensure the long-term prosperity of our communities.

Major challenges for Canada's manufacturing sector

Show your Unifor colours

Unifor calls on all members and supporters across the country to wear their Unifor red this Saturday, on Flag Day, to stand up for Canadian jobs and the industries that keep our communities strong. 

Together, we’re going to show that when Canadian workers are under threat, we don’t sit back—we fight back. 

It’s time to send a message: Unifor members are united to defend jobs, industries, and our future.

Quebec must use the tariff crisis to rethink its forest industry strategy

In the face of President Trump’s tariff threats and rising countervailing duties on lumber, Jean-François Samray, CEO of the QFIC (Quebec Forestry Industry Council), argues that Quebec is ripe for a national construction strategy. We agree with him but believe we should go even further. 

Trump steel and aluminum tariff latest attack in economic war

TORONTO— President Trump’s new order to impose tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum is just the latest attack in his full-on economic war against Canada.

“Make no mistake Trump is coming for Canada and the jobs of Canadian workers,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “It’s clear his plan is to use economic warfare to weaken our economy. It’s time to push back hard. Canada must respond in full force to the tariffs on steel and aluminum to prevent the U.S. from coming after more jobs and industries.”

Unifor condemns Bell’s workforce reduction plan amid national crisis

MONTREAL- Unifor condemns Bell’s shortsighted workforce reduction plans that will potentially cost another 1,200 workers their jobs.

“Workforce reduction plans are a damaging stunt to temporarily reduce costs, making profits appear higher on the backs of workers. Bell cannot keep cutting jobs every year and expect the ship to turn itself around,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Canada is potentially facing a trade war with the U.S., and Bell has chosen to once again leave Canadian workers unemployed in part to satisfy its move into the American market.”

Transdev workers in Cowichan Valley, B.C. go on strike after negotiations break down with company

VANCOUVER –Transit workers at Transdev in Cowichan Valley, B.C., went on strike early this morning, after last-minute talks broke down Friday between Unifor and the employer, following weeks of stalled negotiations.

“We support our members as they seek a fair deal and hope Transdev gets back to the table quickly,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. 

“As I’ve said before, strike action is not something we take lightly, but we will continue until our members are shown respect by the company.”

Unifor welcomes new members at third Walmart unit in six months

CALGARY—Nearly 280 Walmart fleet drivers in Calgary and Nisku have joined Unifor, marking the third successful organizing drive at Walmart in the last six months.

“Drivers play a critical role in Walmart’s supply chain. These workers are standing together to demand the respect, fair wages, and job security they deserve,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “This is yet another sign that Walmart workers across Canada are ready to fight for better working conditions—and Unifor will be there every step of the way.”