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DURHAM—Members Unifor Local 4268, who are First Student Bus drivers in Durham Region voted to support a strike mandate after negotiations with the company remain far apart on key issues of work-life balance and wages.

To launch the Unifor Votes campaign, 64 member organizers trained for canvassing and get-out-the-vote efforts. 

To Local Union Presidents, Staff, 

The federal government has recently introduced a series of special Measures affecting Employment Insurance (EI). The changes are meant to both prevent unemployment and to improve EI access and benefit duration for some workers. 

EDMONTON—Unifor joined more than 20 Alberta unions today to announce the Solidarity Pact to unite over 250,000 workers in a bold stand for workers’ rights and public services.

“Unifor is proud to help lead this united front in Alberta,” said Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle. “When governments attack workers, it’s our job to fight back—together. This pact is a promise to every worker that unions stand ready to defend their rights.”

TORONTO— With the imposition of a 25% tariff on all vehicles manufactured outside of the United States President Donald Trump has escalated his unjust assault on the Canadian economy and autoworkers.

“Donald Trump has convinced himself that, somehow, the jobs of Canadian autoworkers are his to claim,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “We have built cars here for over a century, long before the U.S. was our primary trade partner. I will state this as clearly and unequivocally as I can. These are not his jobs to take.”

🍁 Our jobs. Our mills. Our communities. Our country. 

Unifor National President Lana Payne and Quebec Director Daniel Cloutier tell us how Unifor is fighting for forestry jobs. 

During her March 24 visit to the Ford Paris Parts Distribution Plant Unifor National President Lana Payne delivered a message to Donald Trump: Our jobs aren’t yours to steal! We’ve had an auto industry here for over 100 years. We’re going to fight to protect it!

TORONTO— Unifor is calling out Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) for awarding management bonuses while thousands of workers face termination and learn that the company has publicly refused to honour its severance pay obligations.

Unifor’s Forestry Council Executive Committee members met this week at the national office and were joined by National leadership to discuss the ongoing tariff threat to Canadian forestry, pulp and paper and lumber members. 

The seven members of the Forestry Executive, with representatives from across Canada, met in Toronto on March 25 to consider the latest developments in the ongoing trade war and the softwood lumber dispute, both of which represent existential threats to forestry workers and communities from coast-to-coast-to-coast. 

KITCHENER-WATERLOO—Unifor is asking for the public’s patience during the delays in transit service resulting from the picket lines and legal strike action of CUPE Local 1656.  

On Trans Day of Visibility, March 31, Unifor stands firmly with trans, non-binary, two-spirited, and gender-diverse individuals.

In the face of mounting hate, fueled by far-right rhetoric and emboldened by politicians who choose to sow division and hatred instead of fostering unity, our union remains unwavering in its commitment to justice, equality, and solidarity. 

Trans rights under attack

LANIGAN, SK—Unifor Local 922 members at Nutrien have voted in favour of a new collective agreement that delivers wage increases and benefit improvements. 

“Potash miners help extract a key strategic resource for Canadians,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “From wages to benefits, Local 922 has secured improvements that reflect their value to Nutrien and the important work they do.” 

HALIFAX–The Health Support Council of Unions has filed for conciliation as negotiations for 4,600 workers with the IWK and Nova Scotia Health hit a brick wall.

Dear Members,

It has been a disappointing week for Unifor/our bargaining representatives across Canada, the company simply refuses to take negotiations seriously and didn’t adequately prepare to bargain a new contract.

Unifor began bargaining with the DHL Express Canada six months ago on Oct. 1, 2024, but to-date, we’re still waiting for a concrete response to address more than half of our demands.

Even the presence of a mediator, requested by DHL, was not enough to get the company to bargain. 

TORONTO- Unifor launches Unifor Votes campaign to get out the union vote ahead of the April 28 federal election. 

“Working people across Canada have been caught in the crosshairs of an escalating trade war launched by the United States against our economy. Tens of thousands of jobs, communities and entire industries are on the line,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “It’s time to vote to protect Canadian jobs and ask all parties what they plan to do to build a strong, resilient economy in Canada.”

TORONTO— Unifor demands that Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) put workers ahead of other creditors as it moves to liquidate assets and restructure under creditor protection.

Unifor Local 27 members at General Dynamics Land Systems Canada in London, Ontario voted 97% in favour of ratifying a new three-year contract.

"I want to extend my deepest thanks to the members of Unifor Local 27 and their dedicated bargaining team for their hard work and solidarity throughout these negotiations,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Our members voted overwhelmingly for a strong agreement that makes key financial gains and improvements to their working conditions that reflect the highly skilled work they do every day.” 

Update by Lana Payne, National President

Thursday, March 20, 2025
 

Dear Unifor Members:

I know everyday brings new turmoil as a result of the chaos-driven policies of U.S. President Donald Trump. These past weeks have been filled with concern and anxiety.

From my vantage point, there is uncertainty, but there is also the incredible resolve and determination shown by our members and by all Canadians across the country, from different regions, provinces, sectors and communities. 

VANCOUVER—Unifor Local 3000 members voted 95% in favour of strike action if the employer at the Arbutus Club continues to refuse to take bargaining seriously. 

“Unless something changes at the bargaining table, Arbutus Club members can expect a serious service disruption and a noisy picket line,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “With membership fees that run tens of thousands of dollars, we know the Arbutus Club will have no trouble meeting our reasonable wage demands.” 

WINNIPEG—Wage increases and changes to scheduling to improve work-life balance are key features of a new contract ratified on March 18, 2025 by members of Unifor Local 681 employed at Manitoba Hydro.

“This agreement delivers real gains that recognize gas workers’ important and skilled work keeping Manitobans safe and warm,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “A strong mandate from the membership was critical to achieving success.”

Local 681 members voted 90% in favour of strike action on February 3 after bargaining reached an impasse. 

Last Friday, a wave of angry workers gathered in protest in front of the Plaza Centre-Ville in Montreal, where the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal (CCMM) was hosting an event in the presence of the Minister of Labour, Jean Boulet. Boulet was set to speak on a range of economic issues, but when confronted with the protest by unionized workers, he decided to withdraw and cancel his speech.

Canada’s mining sector is facing an unprecedented attack from the Trump Administration, which has yet again trained its sights on Canadian metals and minerals. After losing a trade war against Canada’s aluminum and steel industries in 2018-19, Trump is now threatening all of Canada’s mining and metals sector with up to 50% tariffs.

Gatineau – A press conference was held on March 17 at Domtar’s Gatineau mill to provide an update on the project to convert the site into a container board production facility. This ambitious initiative aims not only to preserve over a hundred jobs, but also to create new jobs with growth in production and the emergence of new opportunities in the supply chain. The project represents a major step towards ensuring a sustainable future for the local manufacturing industry.

Following Hudson’s Bay Company’s (HBC) announcement that it will liquidate its retail operations, Unifor is calling on the company to uphold its legal obligations to workers as priority number one and provide clear communication about the future of the announced liquidation.

 “HBC must act in good faith by ensuring workers receive the wages, benefits, and severance they are entitled to under their collective agreements,” says Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Workers’ livelihoods are on the line—they’re rightfully concerned and deserve full transparency from HBC.”

TORONTO- On Prime Minister Carney’s first day in office, Unifor calls on him to heed the calls of workers to protect Canadian jobs in the face of unprecedented U.S. trade attacks.

“Prime Minister Carney, as you take on this role know that Unifor members, indeed all workers, have high expectations of you. You’re stepping into a new job while many, many others are at risk. We need leadership that is thoughtful, strategic and bold,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

Dear Members,

It has come to our attention that DHL has been meeting with union members across the country to discuss bargaining. In particular, the company has shared the content of specific proposals and editorialized the bargaining committee’s initial response to some of their proposals. 

On March 21, Unifor marks the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, a day rooted in the tragic events of the Sharpeville Massacre in 1960, when South African police opened fire on peaceful anti-apartheid demonstrators, killing 69 people. 

This internationally-recognized day serves as a solemn reminder of the ongoing fight against racism all over the world and the need for collective action to build a more just and equitable society.

Unity in uncertain times

Unifor activists from Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba gathered in Winnipeg to discuss committee work and start training activities for the federal election.

The ongoing trade war with the United States was top of mind as Unifor National Skilled Trades Council delegates from across the country met to discuss major challenges facing the union’s 50,000 Skilled Trades members.