VANCOUVER—Following the closure of Glacier Media’s digital community newspapers in April and May, which affected the jobs of Unifor Local 2000 members, journalists are now banding together to form a worker co-op with the goal of launching a newspaper in regions of British Columbia.
“This grassroots project exemplifies the tenacity and dedication of journalists who care about their communities and the work they produce,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “This is not just a fight against news deserts, but a battle for democracy.”
Unifor members from across the country gathered in Port Elgin May 30 - June 1 to mark a historic milestone—25 years since the union’s first-ever Pride Conference.
Since its founding, Unifor and its predecessor unions have worked to create space for queer and trans workers to lead, organize, and build a movement rooted in justice, inclusion, and collective strength. In 2000, predecessor union CAW held the first Pride Conference in Port Elgin. At this year’s conference, delegates honoured that history while confronting the urgent challenges of today.
Unifor Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi has been appointed to the board of the Ontario Health Coalition, strengthening the union’s role in the fight to defend and expand public health care in the province.
Hashi’s appointment comes at a critical time for Ontario’s health care system, as the Ford government continues its push to privatize services like surgeries and diagnostics. Public hospitals are stretched beyond capacity, staffing shortages are worsening, and patients are paying the price—sometimes literally—as for-profit clinics expand.
Watch a re-cap of Unifor's 2025 Prairie Regional Council meeting in Winnipeg, where delegates had focused discussions on defending recent gains and growing the fightback against attacks on Canadian sovereignty.
DURHAM, Ont.—Unifor is warning communities in Durham Region of potential strike action by Durham Region Transit (DRT) workers that will interrupt service in eight communities, as a 12:01 a.m. June 7 deadline looms.
“We stand with our transit members as they fight for what is fair and just,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
After 15 weeks and stalled negotiations, Unifor held a rally in front of the British Columbia legislature in Victoria on May 28 to demand accountability from the regional transit authority—BC Transit—and the provincial government.
TORONTO— The decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to double tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum imports to 50% is a direct threat to Canadian jobs and economic stability.
Unifor is urging the federal government to act without delay to defend Canada’s manufacturing sector and counter the escalating trade assault.
MEDICINE HAT–The sudden closure of CHAT-TV in Medicine Hat, Alberta has resulted in the layoff of 16 Unifor media workers and the end of nearly seven decades of trusted local news programming.
WestJet members of Unifor Local 531 now have their own dedicated office space at Calgary International Airport.
The local proudly opened its first space for WestJet members on May 27, a significant step for them to be present more often in the airport where 910 of their members work.
More than 250 members joined the celebration, including Unifor National Secretary-Treasurer Len Poirier and Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle.
FREDERICTON--Unifor will hold a media availability outside the N.B. Legislature as the union leads a one-day Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Symposium to work with frontline service providers in the province to demand strong leadership from the provincial government.
From a May Day rally to protect Canadian jobs, to discussions about how each member can find their place in the union to make this work their own. Watch a recap from Atlantic Regional Council 2025.
Council 4000 and Local 100 wrapped up negotiations with VIA Rail this week in Montreal, but despite the bargaining committees working late into the evenings, no tentative agreement was reached.
MONTREAL— Contract talks between Unifor and VIA Rail have broken off, setting the stage for a national rail dispute that threatens to disrupt passenger travel across the country later this month.
“We didn’t come to the table looking for a dispute—we came to get a deal,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “But VIA Rail’s refusal to take our demands seriously has left us with no other choice. If they’re not willing to fix what’s broken, they’re forcing this dispute onto workers and passengers alike.”
WINDSOR—Unifor Local 195 members working at the Best Western Plus in Windsor are on the picket line today in a push for fair wages and to fight back against concessionary demands from their employer.
“Unifor members at Best Western Plus deserve wages that reflect the value they bring to the hospitality sector and respect for the hard work they do every day,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Instead of seeking to improve working conditions, the employer has demanded concessions. Our members won’t stand for it.”
Unifor calls on world leaders to follow recent actions taken by the governments of Canada, France and the United Kingdom placing political and economic pressure on the Israeli government to end its ongoing military offensive in Gaza, to urgently allow access to humanitarian aid blocked from entering the region for over 11 weeks.
We continue to call for the release of all remaining hostages held captive by Hamas and for a lasting ceasefire.
After 15 weeks and stalled negotiations, Unifor held a rally in front of the British Columbia legislature in Victoria on May 28 to demand accountability from the regional transit authority—BC Transit—and the provincial government.
Unifor Atlantic Jennifer Murray brought the union’s advocacy to the forefront during the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) warehousing meeting in Brussels, Belgium this week.
In celebration of Asian Heritage Month, Unifor brought members together for an unforgettable evening of learning, storytelling, and solidarity.
The 2025 theme—Asian Canadian Legacy: We Contribute. We Serve—was brought to life through a webinar, hosted by Unifor organizers Hassan Mirza and Simon Lau, on May 27. The webinar featured a panel discussion to explore the intersection of immigration, labour, and anti-Asian racism.
More than 125 Skilled Trades delegates, observers, and Unifor staff from across Canada came together from May 23 to 25 in St. John’s, Newfoundland for the National Skilled Trades Council. What unfolded was a passionate, pointed, and powerful exchange of ideas, solutions, and solidarity amid rising challenges — including the escalating trade war.
VICTORIA — Unifor will hold a rally in front of the B.C. legislature today to support Transdev transit workers who have been on strike for over 15 weeks – since February 8 – in the Cowichan Valley.
The company refuses to address closing the wage gap between its Cowichan Valley workers in comparison to Victoria Transit. Unifor members are seeking to reduce the gap over the life of their new agreement.
What: Rally for striking Transdev transit workers.
Who: Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle.
Appearing before the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) on May 27, Unifor Media Director Randy Kitt testified that in wake of U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war there is a growing need to stand up for Canadian content, protect our sovereignty and make the tough decisions necessary to save our Canadian media industry, including local news.
TORONTO/WINDSOR—Unifor members who work at Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) rallied in Windsor and Toronto to call for urgent insolvency reform and accountability from HBC executives who continue to deny workers’ severance as liquidation nears completion.
The rallies, led by Unifor Locals 40 and 240 which represent nearly 600 HBC workers, brought attention to the devastating impact of HBC’s collapse on its workforce and the broader implications for thousands of Canadian workers caught in corporate bankruptcies.
OTTAWA— Unifor is calling on the federal government to take decisive, worker-focused action to protect jobs and grow Canada’s economy during the 45th Parliament. The union’s legislative priorities offer a bold vision for a stronger, fairer, and more self-reliant Canada.
Unifor is mobilizing in Toronto and Windsor to demand that Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) put workers first as it moves through its liquidation process. The union is calling on HBC to honour its obligations to employees by protecting wages, pensions, and benefits.
Nearly 100 Unifor hospital members from across Ontario gathered in Toronto from May 21–23 for the union’s Hospital Bargaining Conference to begin shaping the priorities for the next round of bargaining amid growing challenges across the sector.
MONTREAL— VIA Rail workers represented by Unifor Council 4000 and Local 100 have delivered a strong strike mandate, with 97.5% voting in favour of strike action. The result reflects widespread frustration with the employer’s conduct at the bargaining table and sends a clear message that members will not accept concessions.
Unifor members deliver strong strike mandate at VIA Rail
Dear Members,
Council 4000 and Local 100 have concluded strike votes across the VIA Rail system, delivering a strong and united mandate to their bargaining committees as negotiations continue under the conciliation process.
Council 4000 members voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action with 97.5% support, while Local 100 members also delivered a strong strike mandate with 96% support.
OSHAWA, ONT.—Unifor members working at Durham Region Transit voted 98% on May 21 for strike action if they cannot reach an agreement with the region by midnight on June 6.
“The region has a responsibility to invest in public transit and in the workers who uphold it, especially as the community continues to grow,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
If the two sides cannot negotiate a new contract, Unifor members will be in a legal strike position on Sat., June 7 at 12:01 a.m.
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