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In its new Unions’ Power Prosperity report released Feb. 26, 2025, the Union-Led Advisory Table (ULAT) outlined key recommendations and areas for action for the federal government to safeguard mid-career workers in the changing labour market.
“Workers are fighting against monumental and transformative changes in the workplace, from multiple sources including automation and AI, climate change, chronic understaffing, shifts in supply changes, and now, tariffs – all while battling an affordability crisis and struggling to keep their heads above water,” said National President Lana Payne.
“We, as unions, need to shine a spotlight on the unique obstacles workers in all sectors face and to instigate substantive change.”
Formed in 2022, the advisory table is made up of 15 labour leaders from across Canada. Roxanne Dubois, the Executive Assistant to the National President, represents Unifor at ULAT.
The ULAT draws attention to challenges workers face, amplifies their voices and makes the case for change by Canada’s political institutions and economic decision makers.
The report outlines dozens of recommendations that reflect the unique perspectives of the Advisory Table’s labour leaders, including:
Aligning skills and workforce development strategies with industry and sector needs
Supporting workers, including older workers, through job transitions from declining sectors to growth sectors, and enabling portable skills recognition and training
Ensuring that workers have access to continuous learning opportunities and foundational skills to succeed at different stages of their careers
Increasing opportunities for women and under-represented groups to access Skilled Trades and occupations in demand.
An unstated precondition for the advisory table’s recommendations is the need to ensure an abundant supply of good jobs with opportunities to learn, adjust and grow.
Making more good jobs available means improving the quality of existing jobs and increasing opportunities for meaningful participation in decision-making that affects the industry, sector and workplace.
Workers need time and flexibility to keep improving and upskilling. This translates to having access to flexible child care, elder care and work scheduling for training. They also need mental health supports, career counselling and adjustment assistance when displaced.
“Canada is in dire need of proposals that empower workers and support them in challenging economic times,” said Dubois.
“The solutions put forward by working people and their unions, as done through the union-led table, can lead the way to a more equitable and fairer world for everyone, and help build worker power.”
Read the Union-Led Advisory Table’s Unions’ Power Prosperity report.
