On this solemn occasion of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Unifor stands in solidarity to honor the memory of the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust, alongside the millions of others who suffered and perished under Nazi persecution. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest and most infamous Nazi concentration and extermination camp during World War II. The anniversary is a powerful reminder of the atrocities born from hatred and bigotry and our collective role to combat antisemitism and hate.
Today marks eight years since the tragic events of January 29, 2017, when an Islamophobic and racist act of violence took the lives of six worshippers at the Centre Culturel Islamique de Québec.
In the face of a rabidly anti-worker government in Alberta led by Premier Danielle Smith, unions in every sector of the economy have started discussions about how to effectively present a united front.
MONTREAL - Unifor denounces Amazon's decision to close seven warehouses in Quebec. The union also reaffirms support for the Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN), which has fought to improve conditions for Quebec’s unionized Amazon workers.
In his government’s mandate letter to B.C. Minister of Finance Brenda Bailey, Premier Eby recognized the epidemic of gender-based violence and empowered Bailey to take steps to address the crisis.
Unifor members at Local 4503 in Truro, N.S. have negotiated a new collective agreement that delivers wage increases, benefit gains, and new full-time jobs with dairy producer and cheesemaker Agropur.
“Congratulations to the bargaining committee for their dedicated efforts to get this group an agreement that will help create good jobs and improve benefits and wages,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
Metro Vancouver and Victoria transit operators travelled to Seattle this month to pay their respects at the funeral of Shawn Yim, a King County Metro bus driver was fatally attacked while on the job. The Canadian delegation joined transit workers from across the region in a solemn display of solidarity and support for Yim’s grieving family and co-workers.
Unifor Local 1285 members at F&P Manufacturing, an independent auto parts supplier in Tottenham, Ontario, have successfully ratified their first collective agreement with 94% voting in favour.
WASHINGTON— Unifor warns that Canada must act to protect workers and Canadian jobs amid the continued threat of U.S. tariffs in the Trump era.
“The looming tariff threat serves as a real wake up call on the need to mitigate the risk to Canadian workers,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
President Trump indicated that he may move ahead with a 25 per cent across-the-board tariff on Canadian goods as soon as February 1, 2025.
VANCOUVER – Unifor Members employed at Transdev (formerly First Transit) in Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island have filed strike notice after talks broke down with the company.
“As I’ve said before, strike action is not something we take lightly, we want to resolve this dispute with the employer, but our members are prepared, if necessary,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
“We will support our transit members with all our strength.”
Unifor reaches tentative agreement with Toronto Terminals Railway
Unifor Local 4003 has reached a tentative four-year agreement with Toronto Terminals Railway (TTR).
“This agreement delivers stability and important gains for members at TTR,” said Jeff Ongena, Local 4003 TTR Chairperson. “These workers play a crucial role in the safe operation of one of Canada’s busiest rail corridors.”
THUNDER BAY, ONT.—Unifor welcomes today’s Ontario commitment to spend nearly $500 million to refurbish 181 GO Transit bi-level rail coaches, which is expected to support hundreds of jobs for Unifor Local 1075 members at the Alstom facility in Thunder Bay.
“This investment extends the life of the manufacturing facility in Thunder Bay and introduces some near-term stability for hundreds of Unifor members and their families,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
EDMONTON—Unifor stands in solidarity with Alberta’s striking education workers and calls on the provincial government to restore funding for fair wages and adequate staffing, including for the 3,500 education workers represented by Unifor in the sector.
KANATA, ON. — Unifor members on strike at medical manufacturer Best Theratronics are marking a full year since the company gave them their first and only offer of 0% wage increases.
“This anniversary is a disgraceful indictment of a system that has failed these workers,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
Workers at VPC in Toronto have ratified a new three-year collective agreement.
“Congratulations to the bargaining committee,” sad Unifor National President Lana Payne. “This contract addresses gains in wages and pensions that will help create more stability for the lives of our members.”
KANATA, ON. — It’s been a year since Unifor members at Best Theratronicswere given the company’s first and only offer of zero wage increases. Since Jan. 16, 2024, the employer has not bargained with Unifor.
The 40 workers at Agropur Cooperative in Sussex, N.B. have chosen to join Unifor.
“Congratulations to Agropur workers for making the decision to have Unifor fight in their corner,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “We are looking forward to helping make improvements to working conditions and of course, bargaining your first contract.”
CPKC workers vote overwhelmingly in favour of strike action
Dear Members,
Unifor members of Local 101R at Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway (CPKC) have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action, with 99% of members supporting the mandate, preparing to take action should an agreement not be reached by 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time on January 29, 2025.
CALGARY – Unifor members of Local 101R at Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway (CPKC) have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action, with 99% of members voting in support.
“This strike mandate shows the strength and determination of CPKC workers to achieve a fair deal,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Members are united in their demands for job security and work ownership, fair wages, and improved working conditions.”
Together Unifor and our members will stand against Trump’s bully tactics to protect and defend Canadian jobs. Watch National President Lana Payne’s video message.
Public life and public service are not easy, and I want to sincerely thank Prime Minister Trudeau for his service to our country. Despite everything, it is indeed a privilege to serve Canadians and Canada.
MONTREAL – Members of Unifor Council 4000 and Local 100 have ratified a new collective agreement with CN, concluding a challenging round of bargaining.
“This agreement secures important gains that reflect the critical contributions of Unifor members to CN’s operations,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “We are proud to deliver improvements that address pension security, work ownership and working conditions, which were top priorities for members.”
Unifor Council 4000 and Local 100 are pleased to announce that members have voted to ratify a new collective agreement with CN. This agreement, reached after a challenging round of bargaining, represents significant progress in securing meaningful gains for over 3,000 Unifor members across Canada.
WINDSOR— The eight-week long strike action at Clear Medical Imaging has ended with Unifor and the employer agreeing to binding arbitration. Unifor Local 2458 members will return to work starting on December 30, with full return on January 2, 2025.
“While we would have preferred to obtain a negotiated agreement, it became clear that arbitration was a necessary step to obtain a first collective agreement for these workers,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “We are confident in our case and look forward to delivering the gains that these members went on strike to achieve.”
January 4 is newly celebrated as National Ribbon Skirt Day in Canada. The movement to recognize the importance of ribbon skirts to many Indigenous communities arose out of the experience of Cote First Nation youth Isabella Kulak, who was belittled by school staff in January 2021 for wearing a ribbon skirt to Kamsack Comprehensive Institute in Kamsack, Saskatchewan.
As the year comes to an end, we wish all Unifor members, local leaders, activists and staff a very happy holiday season.
There is much to reflect on as we think back on this year. Together, we bargained strong collective agreements, fought for justice for the workers who needed it the most, and achieved historical wins at the bargaining table and legislatively. We won anti-scab legislation federally and in the province of Manitoba. We organized many new workers into our union.
VANCOUVER – Members of Transdev (formerly First Transit) in Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island at Unifor Local 114 have voted unanimously in favour of strike action if an agreement cannot be reached with the company.
“Transit workers are an integral vein to our society, safely and efficiently getting the public to work, school and wherever they have to go,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Strike action is not something we take lightly, but our members are prepared, if necessary.”
Unifor Local 222’s Retired Workers Chapter turns 75 next year, but chapter chairperson Lyle Hargrove is already setting his future sights set on the milestone 100th anniversary.
“Just because you quit working doesn't mean you quit having fun,” said Hargrove. “The stigma is that once you finish your working career, then that's the end of it. But by having a retired workers chapter, the activism continues, the community involvement continues, and then, the breadth of knowledge to the union continues.”
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