Unifor members in Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia joined the union’s virtual town hall to hear National President Lana Payne and Atlantic Regional Director Jennifer Murray speak to tariffs impacting Canadian workers and the ongoing economic warfare and initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump.
National President Lana Payne stressed that we are in a pivotal moment that demands our collective engagement.
TORONTO—Nearly 100 newly unionized food service workers at Oakham House have ratified their first collective agreement as members of Unifor Local 591-G, securing major improvements to wages, benefits, and working conditions.
“Forming a union was a brave choice for Oakham House workers and it is paying off with a strong first collective agreement,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “We’re thrilled with what the bargaining committee at Local 591-G was able to accomplish.”
ST. JOHN’S—More than 120 Unifor members gathered in St. John’s this week to coordinate strategies and adopt proposals ahead of upcoming national energy and chemicals sector negotiations.
The three-day gathering brought together local union leadership and bargaining committee members from across the country, united under the National Energy and Chemicals Bargaining Program. Participants officially adopted bargaining proposals that had been developed by locals and reviewed by the program’s advisory committee.
Striking Transdev workers rallied outside BC Transit’s headquarters in Victoria on April 15 to send a strong message to the employer: access to washrooms (and reasonable break times to use them) is a fundamental human right.
Unifor members from Locals 114 and 333-BC went on strike on February 8 after Transdev refused to address providing dedicated washroom access to its bus drivers. Transit members, their locals, Unifor leadership and supporters attended the rally.
TORONTO – While Unifor is encouraged that Honda Canada has confirmed its facility in Alliston, Ontario, will operate at full capacity for the foreseeable future with no changes being considered at this time the union cautions vigilance amid the ongoing threat to Canadian auto jobs posed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
INGERSOLL—The news of General Motors' decision to temporarily halt and then reduce production of the BrightDrop electric delivery van at CAMI Assembly Plant is devastating for Unifor members, their families, and the entire Ingersoll community.
ESPANOLA, Ont.—Unifor is repeating its call for all three levels of government to urgently develop an industrial plan for the forestry sector following the proposed sale of Domtar’s long-curtailed Espanola pulp and paper mill.
VICTORIA — Transdev transit workers in Cowichan Valley have been on strike for over eight weeks – since February 8 – fighting for access to bathrooms that are not shared by the public and reasonable break times to use them.
“Sanitation and access to restrooms are a basic human right,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
“Our members’ strike is about basic working conditions, which are critical to deliver the public transit services they provide to the community of Cowichan.”
More than 100 delegates from across Canada gathered at Unifor’s Retail, Wholesale, and Food Sector Conference to reflect on victories, from massive wage gains, to organizing success in warehouses and food processing, and look ahead to the next big battles: tariffs and defending Canadian jobs.
TORONTO—Canadian counter-tariffs of 25% on vehicles imported from U.S., which came into effect today, are a necessary retaliation says Unifor.
“There is absolutely no justification for the United States to impose tariffs on Canadian vehicles. Canada did not start this trade war, but we have no choice but to fight. We refuse to back down and sacrifice Canada’s auto jobs and industry on Donald Trump’s altar,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
April 10, 2025, is Equal Pay Day in Canada, highlighting how far into the year women must work to earn what men did the year before, on average.
That’s more than three months of extra work for the same pay. And for many women, especially Indigenous, Black, racialized, 2SLGBTQ+, immigrant women, and women with disabilities, that gap is even wider.
There are various methods to measure the wage gap, but regardless of how it's measured, the gap remains. Our fight for equal pay is about fairness, dignity, and respect for the work women do every single day.
Members of Unifor Local 823 Mine & Office Unit at Windsor Salt in Pugwash, N.S., ratified a four-year collective agreement that sees strong improvements to wages and benefits.
“I congratulate the bargaining committee and Local 823 members at Windsor Salt who used their collective power to improve their working conditions,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “As we collectively focus on buying Canadian goods, we can celebrate in knowing Windsor Salt products are sourced and prepared here at home by Unifor members.”
Mobilizing Unifor Members in Retail, Wholesale, Warehousing and Food, Dairy and Beverage Processing
Unifor national, local union and workplace leadership in the retail, wholesale, warehousing and food, dairy and beverage processing industries came together on April 4-6 to celebrate the union’s bargaining and organizing successes and advances to workers’ rights, while discussing the pressing economic and political challenges facing these industries now and into the future.
TORONTO—Unifor is calling for a large-scale Team Canada approach to support the forestry sector across Canada after the U.S. Department of Commerce’s recent announcement that will more than double the combined duties on Canadian softwood lumber.
Unifor members at Blue Water Rest Home in Zurich, Ontario have ratified a new two-year collective agreement.
“This agreement is a testament to the strength and determination of our long-term care members,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “They do critical work in challenging conditions and they deserve contracts that reflect that value.”
Unifor Local 27 members at St. Joseph’s Health Care London have ratified a new three-year collective agreement that delivers strong gains in wages and benefits.
OTTAWA — Canada's largest public and private sector unions stand united against attacks on Canadian workers initiated by the United States Administration’s escalating trade and investment war.
On April 3, the Trump Administration imposed tariffs of 25% on all Canadian-assembled vehicles exported to the United States. The tariffs will be applied to the total value of non-U.S. content in the vehicle, if that vehicle complies with CUSMA trade agreement rules (we understand that all vehicles built by Unifor members meet that CUSMA requirement). In the coming months, the U.S. plans to impose similar 25% tariffs on Canadian-made auto parts.
VAL-D’OR, Q.C.– Unifor is deeply concerned by the announcement of the closure of the Chantiers Chibougamau mill in Val-d’Or, Quebec, a decision that directly affects the workers represented by the union, and demonstrates once again the vulnerability of Quebec’s forestry sector.
WINDSOR— Stellantis has responded to the imposition of a 25% auto tariff with the temporary layoff of thousands of Unifor Local 444 members at Windsor Assembly Plant and additional layoffs in Mexico and at U.S. facilities.
TORONTO—Unifor is calling on the federal government to keep all options on the table in the escalating trade war with the U.S. as new auto tariffs will fall on Canada’s auto sector at midnight tonight.
TORONTO—Unifor condemns Bell Canada Enterprises (BCE) executives for awarding themselves more than $5 million in bonuses, including nearly $2.4 million to CEO Mirko Bibic, following massive job cuts and stock drops.
“This announcement dropped on April Fool’s Day, but sadly, this is no joke,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
“The company laid off thousands, its stock went down by 30% and yet, the richest and most powerful continue to profit off the back of our members.”
Originally published in the Toronto Star April 2, 2025 Lana Payne
U.S. President Donald Trump stumbling his way through a recent media conference was indicative of how little he knows about an industry he claims to want to protect.
From the beginning Trump’s tariff schemes for the North American auto industry have been riddled with reasons baked in half-truths and out-right fabrications and misinformation.
On April 28, Canadians will vote to elect Members of Parliament who will form Canada’s next federal government.
This election is critical for our union and for all working people across this country. Given the extremely challenging economic times we live in, there is no doubt that the stakes couldn’t be higher.
I have heard from so many of you over the past few months. Unifor members are worried about the impacts of an escalating trade war initiated by the United States on our jobs, our families and our communities.
MONTREAL - Unifor strongly condemns the U.S. government's inclusion of Bill 96 - and all measures protecting the French language - as a “foreign trade barrier” in the latest National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers. This position reflects a profound misunderstanding of Quebec's linguistic rights and democratic choices.
Unifor files for conciliation in VIA Rail negotiations
Unifor Council 4000 and Local 100 filed for conciliation on March 25, 2025, and the Labour Minister now has up to 15-days to appoint a federal conciliator to assist the parties with contract negotiations. This step comes after several rounds of bargaining where key proposals from the Union remain unresolved.”
DURHAM—Members Unifor Local 4268, who are First Student Bus drivers in Durham Region voted to support a strike mandate after negotiations with the company remain far apart on key issues of work-life balance and wages.
