General Manufacturing

The 74 workers at furniture maker Van Gogh Designs in Surrey, B.C., have voted to join Unifor to fight for better working conditions. 

“Welcome to Unifor—we’re thrilled to be in your corner,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “We’re looking forward to bargaining your first collective agreement and building worker power with your solidarity.”

The new members at Local 433 work in production including sewing, cutting, cushion, upholstery, wrapping, inventory, framing, and quality checking with additional members performing duties in the office.

THUNDER BAY, ONT.—Unifor is pleased that its Alstom members in Thunder Bay will benefit from the federal government’s Buy Canadian policy, a strategy to ensure public dollars are used to support Canadian jobs, businesses and communities, with a federal  investment of nearly $1 billion to fund new TTC subway cars.

AMHERSTBURG, ON–Unifor Local 200 members at Diageo’s Crown Royal plant in Amherstburg have ratified a closure agreement with the company, with operations set to cease in February 2026.

“We fought hard to keep the jobs here. This is not the outcome we wanted, but in the end, we acted to secure the best possible outcome for our members while they still had the protection of their collective agreement,” said Unifor President Lana Payne.

WOODSTOCK, ONT.— Penske Logistics workers, represented by Unifor Local 4268 in Woodstock, have ratified a new three-year agreement by 72%.

“Congratulations to the bargaining committee for negotiating a strong collective agreement for Penske Logistics members,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. 

BRADFORD, Ont.—After a seven-week strike, Unifor and Toromont Industries in Bradford, Ont. have reached an agreement to end the strike and submit the outstanding wage issue to interest arbitration for final determination.

BRADFORD, Ont.—Unifor Local 112 members at Toromont Industries in Bradford, Ont. rejected an Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) directed vote that was forced by the company, by 87%. 

“This employer needs to understand that you can’t force our members into a corner instead of addressing the issues and bargaining an agreement,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. 

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.

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. 

KANATA, ON. — It’s been a year since Unifor members at Best Theratronics were 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.”