Rail

HBC backtracks on commission cuts after Unifor files grievance, union continues call for severance payments

Unifor welcomes the Hudson Bay Company’s (HBC) decision to restore commission to workers following a grievance filed by the union claiming that the move violated legally binding collective agreements. Unifor also doubles down on its call for HBC to pay its legal severance obligations to workers.

“The message that HBC is sending to workers is that if they could get away with paying them less, they would,” says Unifor National President Lana Payne. “HBC is not above the law, and we will not let them get away with shortchanging workers.”

RailLine - Volume 12, Issue 9

VIA Rail bargaining continues; next dates set for May

Update from the bargaining table:

Council 4000 and Local 100 master bargaining committees met with VIA Rail this week, from April 14 to 17, as part of the ongoing conciliation process.

RailLine - Volume 12, Issue 8

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.”

RailLine - Volume 12, Issue 7

Bargaining and the Future of VIA Rail

Last week, the federal government announced a high-speed rail project in the Toronto–Quebec City corridor, marking a significant shift toward privatization in Canada’s passenger rail system. Instead of strengthening VIA Rail as a publicly accountable passenger rail service, the government has handed over control to private, for-profit interests.

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).

Unifor urges Canada’s grocers to prioritize Made in Canada goods

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.