Energy

FORT SASKATCHEWAN, AB—Sherritt International will temporarily lay off approximately 280 workers in Canada for roughly 90 days, including 134 members of Unifor Local 530-A at its idle nickel and cobalt refinery in Fort Saskatchewan. The layoffs hit nearly half of the company’s Canadian workforce.

FREDERICTON—Changes to how NB Power prices electricity were imposed without consulting the workers and communities with the most to lose, putting industrial jobs at risk, warns Unifor in a letter to Energy Minister René Legacy. 

SARNIA—Unifor Local 914 members at Diamond Petrochemical Canada have ratified a new four-year collective agreement that delivers wage increases, a signing bonus, a new retirement benefit account and improved benefits.

“Energy workers keep this country running, and they deserve contracts that reflect the value of their work,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “This agreement shows what members can win when they stand together and bargain with the strength of the energy pattern behind them.”

TORONTO—Unifor energy members have ratified a new four-year pattern agreement with Suncor. The deal sets the standard for about 7,200 workers in the union's National Energy Program.

"Energy workers power this country, and they have shown again what happens when they stand together," said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. "I thank the bargaining committee for the work they did to win this agreement for members across the sector."

ST. JOHN'S – Workers on the Terra Nova offshore oil platform are in contract talks as Suncor announced October 4, 2026 it will sell its interest in the project to UK-based Ithaca Energy.

THUNDER BAY, ON—Enbridge Gas’ decision to close service centres in Thunder Bay and Waterloo is unnecessary and does a disservice to northern communities, says Unifor.

"Enbridge is clearly more concerned about padding shareholders’ pockets than serving customers,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Good customer service is responsive and local, and soon Enbridge customers will have a little less of it to count on.”

BURNABY, B.C.—Contract concessions demanded by one of Metro Vancouver’s key waste treatment providers have pushed Unifor Local 433 to initiate strike action starting at 6 a.m. Pacific on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.

TORONTO—Dallas-based HF Sinclair will end base oil refining at its Mississauga, Ontario plant by 2027, shutting down Canada's largest producer of the refined oils that keep every engine, turbine and industrial machine in the country running. 

"This is a reckless decision made in a Dallas boardroom by people who will never have to look these workers in the eye," said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “We are about to hand control of that supply to producers in other countries at the exact moment governments here are telling us supply chain security matters.” 

HAMILTON—Unifor has signed a memorandum of understanding with Biidaaban Renewable Energy that opens the door for Local 593 members to return to work this summer at the Hamilton biodiesel facility, nearly a year after the plant's previous owner moved to close it permanently.