Health and Safety

In recognition of the National Day of Mourning, Unifor members across the country took part in activities to honour those who have suffered a work-related disability, disease or death.

On April 28, we observe the National Day of Mourning in honour of workers who have suffered a work-related disability, disease or death.

As we remember the victims of workplace tragedies, their grieving families, coworkers and communities, we recommit to the fight to ensure every worker ends their workday healthy, safe, and whole.

On average, approximately 1,000 workers in Canada are killed or die each year due to workplace-related causes, however, the real number could be higher. Many serious incidents and injuries, sadly, go unreported.

Strong workplace inspection and investigation skills are essential to protecting workers and preventing injuries and illness. From April 10 – 12 2026, more than 140 Unifor members joined the National Health and Safety Conference to build these skills.

The conference took place at Unifor’s Family Education Centre in Port Elgin under the theme, Root Cause, Real Change, with a focus on moving beyond surface-level symptom management, and towards identifying the root causes of unsafe conditions to eliminate hazards and create safer workplaces.

Unifor is deeply saddened by the loss of life during the tragic aircraft incident at LaGuardia Airport that claimed the lives of two Air Canada Jazz pilots and injured dozens more.

Our thoughts are with the families, friends, and colleagues of the pilots who lost their lives, as well as with all those who were injured and impacted by this devastating event. This loss is being felt across the entire aviation community.

HALIFAX – Unifor urges the Crown to uphold all charges levied against Irving Shipbuilding under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, following the company’s guilty plea to the lesser charge of failure to create a safe work procedure or plan for snow removal. 

It is with great sadness that we confirm that a Unifor Local 892 member has been killed in the Mosaic K3 potash mine near Esterhazy, Saskatchewan where he worked as miner operator.

“Our union is deeply saddened by this tragic news. We grieve the loss of our member and we extend our deepest sympathies and solidarity with his loved ones, co-workers and local union,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

The Nova Scotia Health Coalition stands firmly in solidarity with Unifor, CUPE 8920, CUPE Nova Scotia, and NSGEU as they sound the alarm about the growing threats to our public Mental Health and Addictions system. Clinicians across this province provide life-saving care every single day, and their work is essential to the health and well-being of our communities.

Unifor Local 3018 members employed at the Gibraltar Mine, located in south-central British Columbia, sustained injuries in an incident involving a bus transporting workers to the site on November 28, 2025. 

Eight Unifor members, and the bus operator, were transported to hospital for treatment. Our thoughts are with our members, their families, and co-workers at this difficult time. 

Unifor will be actively engaged in the investigation into this incident. The union has no additional information to release at this time. 

 

Unifor activists participated in a two-day online webinar titled “Courageous Voices For a Just Transition” to learn more about the state of the climate crisis in Canada and abroad, and share local stories about how union members are taking matters into their own hands. 

The webinar began on October 31 with a welcome from Unifor Health Safety and Environment Director Joanne Hay, followed by remarks from National Secretary-Treasurer Len Poirer.