Welcome to VIA Vignettes, where the heartbeat of Canadian rail travel is shared through the eyes of those dedicated to bringing you home. In this series, we explore the personal journeys of VIA Rail's employees, those who ensure your travel is more than a mere transfer from point A to B but a passage woven into the fabric of Canadian life.

REGINA—Unifor Local 1-S and Local 2-S will make reversing the trend of contracting out unionized work a key priority as they begin bargaining this week with SaskTel.

CAMPBELL RIVER, B.C.—Unifor Local 3019 members are considering next steps after learning the company has filed for creditor protection under the Companies Creditor Arrangement Act (CCAA).

“We are going to fight for our members to ensure they get the severance and support they deserve,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. 

Mine operations will enter a “care and maintenance” phase. Most Unifor members will be immediately laid off and paid for two weeks. 

TORONTO – Unifor says yesterday’s announcement by the federal government to forge a path forward with Google by implementing the Online News Act and keeping local and national news content accessible for Canadians is encouraging, and the union eagerly awaits to see the finalized regulations.

CROFTON—The fourth consecutive curtailment at the Paper Excellence paper mill in Crofton will keep more than 100 workers laid off and the community left wondering why they have nothing to show for $19 million in public funding from two levels of government.

The new curtailment will reportedly extend to the end of February 2024.

By Lana Payne 

Originally published in the Windsor Star November 25, 2023

Never let the truth get in the way of a good story.

The famous quote from American author and funny-man Mark Twain helps summarize the firestorm surrounding Windsor’s NextStar battery plant.  

What started as an innocuous social media post from, of all groups, the Windsor Police Service has become a fire-and-brimstone level debate in this country.

VANCOUVER—The proposed regulations outlined today by B.C. Labour Minister Harry Bains delivers long-overdue protections for misclassified gig workers but will stop short of giving them the full employment rights all Canadians deserve, says Unifor.

“Powerful digital platform employers have come to rely on precarious employment, and governments can and must raise the floor for gig workers,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. 

Unifor's recent conference, "Climate Change and Our Jobs; Building an Economy where no Worker is Left Behind," brought together union members and experts to discuss the intersection of labour, environment, and economic policy in the context of the ongoing climate crisis. The conference featured a variety of speakers and panels addressing different aspects of climate change and its implications for workers.