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.
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.
KANATA, ON. —Best Theratronics continues to bargain in bad faith with no apparent intention to negotiate an agreement to resolve the nearly 10-month long strike action at its Kanata, Ont. facility.
“It is completely unacceptable that we continue to see bad faith bargaining from this employer,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
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.
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.
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
Unifor’s Social Justice Fund is helping to expand access to health care in Scarborough, ON through its contribution to the new Northpine Diagnostic Imaging (DI) Department at Scarborough General Hospital.
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.
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.
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
Montreal, QC– Unifor expresses its deep disappointment at statements made by Premier François Legault during the emergency debate on the impact of U.S. tariffs held in the National Assembly.
Unifor is calling on Canadians to stay united and remain on guard following the delay of tariffs on Canadian goods exported to the U.S. by 30-days.
“The tariffs may be paused but the union’s work to protect our members’ jobs has not,” said National President Lana Payne. “The ongoing tariff threat alone is designed to redirect investment, which will hurt jobs in Canada whether tariffs come into effect or not.”
Retail workers in Toronto are facing yet another attack on their right to guaranteed time off.
Big business is pushing to expand holiday shopping exemptions, which would force more retail workers to work on statutory holidays. This is unacceptable.
Unifor has always stood firm in protecting retail workers’ statutory holidays, and we need to take action once again. Toronto City Council is consulting with the public about holiday shopping exemptions and will soon be deciding on whether to expand them, and we must make our voices heard.
Unifor will take the concerns of workers to three government taskforces aimed at safeguarding Canadian jobs: the Manitoba U.S. Trade Council, the B.C. Trade and Economic Security Taskforce, and the B.C. Softwood Lumber Advisory Council.
Unifor Local 200 members at Plains Midstream in Windsor have ratified a new three-year collective agreement.
The agreement includes annual wage increases of 3% and a $1,750 signing bonus, with no concessions. “This agreement reflects the hard work and dedication of the bargaining committee,” said Local 200 President John D’Agnolo. “It builds on our progress and protects the interests of the workers at Plains Midstream.”
Unifor Local 672 members at SGS Petroleum Management have secured a new three-year collective agreement with strong wage gains.
“This deal represents a major step forward for our members,” said Local 672 President John McEwan. “The bargaining committee worked tirelessly to secure an agreement that addresses the needs of Local 672 members while strengthening the contract’s protections.”
TORONTO, Ont.-Unifor is urging Canada’s largest grocery stores, owned by Empire, Loblaw and Metro, to prioritize the purchasing and promotion of made in Canada products in response to the Trump administration’s reckless trade war against Canadian workers.
In a letter to the CEOs of Empire, Loblaw and Metro, Unifor National President Lana Payne encouraged the grocers to make it easier for shoppers to identify made in Canada products on their shelves to support domestic industries and protect jobs.
Ontario voters have been pushed into a provincial election while facing an unknown future because of President Trump’s crushing tariff threats.
The ongoing threat of sweeping tariffs of 25% on Canadian goods and 10% on energy imported to the United States has thrown our country into instability. Just the potential of tariffs is causing economic harm to workers and our economy.
For more than 60 years, the Canadian and American auto industries have depended on each other. Together, we build best-in-class cars and trucks that remain the envy of the world. Unionized autoworkers fought for and won gold standard collective agreements that created good jobs, raised living standards and built strong, vibrant communities. Two-way trade in automotive goods is about $160 billion per year and split virtually down the middle in near perfect balance. There is no better, fairer, and more productive trade relationship.
Trump’s tariff announcement was a turning point for our country. The President declared economic war on Canadian workers and our country. There is no turning back. No one should let their guard down at this 30-day pause on the tariffs.
The threat of tariffs and therefore the continued threat of economic harm to the workers of Canada must be front and centre. We know the mere threat of tariffs is damaging to our economy.
SUDBURY, Ont.–Unifor Local 598 Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers’ Union workers voted to approve a new collective agreement that sees annual cost-of-living increases that includes a new minimum cola roll-in of $0.46 in addition to percentage wage increases, increased shift premiums, a redesigned nickel bonus and other gains.
TORONTO— Canada must retaliate swiftly and definitively to the unjust imposition of a sweeping 25% tariff on Canadian goods and 10% tariff on energy imported to the United States, says Unifor.
“With the implementation of these tariffs, President Trump has declared a trade war with Canada and with Canadian workers,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Trump’s decision to go to battle with America’s largest trading partner will hurt working people on both sides of the border and inflict real economic damage to both countries.”
On behalf of the Unifor National Executive Board and Unifor members across the country, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Scott Bateman, who served as the union’s Director of Road Transportation.
VANCOUVER – Unifor, which represents Walmart Canada truck drivers in British Columbia, is deeply concerned by today’s announcement that Canada Cartage is purchasing Walmart Fleet ULC, which now delays bargaining that was scheduled for tomorrow, Jan. 31.
“Warehousing and logistics workers have a right to a union, and we expect the company to bargain a first collective agreement with our members as soon as possible,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
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