WINNIPEG—Unifor’s Director of Indigenous Relations, Gina Smoke, has been awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of her advocacy for truth and reconciliation and her work to advance justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2-spirit people.
TORONTO—The 25% tariff imposed on Canadian steel and aluminum exports by U.S. President Donald Trump will cause serious damage to industry and workers in both countries, says Unifor.
“Trump is knowingly inflicting damage to the North American manufacturing sector with these inflationary tariffs that will injure workers, eliminate jobs, and hurt consumers,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
DELTA, B.C.—Citing “an altered economic environment”, ready-to-assemble furniture manufacturer Prepac is preparing to terminate more than 170 jobs and shift operations to its North Carolina facility.
“Our union has been warning about lost investment and production since Trump began his economic war on Canada and Canadian workers,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “In this case, Prepac and its equity owners are using the tariffs as an excuse to redirect all their production to the US. It’s pure greed.”
CAMPBELL RIVER, B.C.—A mediator was unable to help Unifor Local 3019 make any progress in contract negotiations after the employer, global commodities giant Trafigura, refused to back down from aggressive proposals to undermine union rights.
“Stripping Unifor members of their rights is a non-starter,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “We will resist every proposal that disrespects the union rights of miners in Myra Falls.”
TORONTO – Unifor urges the Hudson’s Bay Company ULC (HBC) to protect and prioritize worker’s wages, pension and benefits during forthcoming restructuring.
“Friday’s news left HBC employees reeling with the uncertainty of what’s to come and anticipating the worst. Through what’s sure to be a difficult period, HBC is still bound by its collective agreements, must deliver on wages and benefits and communicate with workers and their union about what lays ahead,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
TORONTO – The federal government’s March 7 statement encouraging additional privatization of Canada’s airports is a bad idea shown to siphon off profits, suppress wages, and increase costs for travelers, says Unifor.
HALIFAX–Unifor is celebrating the federal government’s signing of the River-class destroyer (RCD) contract with Irving Shipbuilding – the largest and most significant “Buy Canadian” procurement program, and largest shipbuilding effort since WWII.
“There is perhaps no moment more significant than the one we’re in right now to prove the value and importance of domestic procurement,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
TORONTO – Unifor, Canada’s largest private sector union, calls expanded access to Canada’s Work-Sharing Program a good first step in a broader tariff mitigation strategy but says the federal government must deliver a far more ambitious plan to stop job losses and safeguard workers in the face of aggressive U.S. trade actions.
KAMLOOPS, B.C.—Unifor Local 10-B members at Kruger in Kamloops, B.C., ratified a new four-year collective agreement with 91% approval that will set the pattern for negotiations across the Western Pulp and Paper Caucus.
TORONTO- Unifor celebrates today’s federal announcement of the continuation of Canada’s $10aDay child care, but urges the Premiers of Alberta and Saskatchewan to also sign on and not threaten future funding for affordable child care.
LONDON— The Unifor Auto Council and Independent Parts Suppliers (IPS) Council held an emergency joint meeting today to address the ongoing tariff threat and U.S. President Donald Trump’s open demand for Canadian auto and parts jobs to be moved to the United States.
VANCOUVER— Unifor is deeply concerned about the announcement of Glacier Media’s digital community newspaper closures affecting the jobs of Unifor members at Local 2000, in the communities of Burnaby, New Westminster, Port Moody, Anmore Village, Belcarra Village, Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam, contributing to the troubling news deserts in Metro Vancouver.
“In these troubling economic and political times, we cannot let democracy dry up as more news deserts surface in Canada,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
TORONTO—The unjust imposition of tariffs on Canadian goods by U.S. President Donald Trump is an economic call-to-arms for Canada says Unifor.
“After months of taunts and threats that have already hurt investment decisions and jobs in Canada, Trump has fired the first shot in a full-on trade war and now every Canadian politician, business leader, worker and resident must fight back,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Trump has seriously misjudged the resolve and unity of Canadians, and he has misjudged how damaging this trade war will be for American workers.”
TORONTO—A new executive order by U.S. President Donald Trump to launch a s. 232 (National Security) investigation into wood products imported into the United States is a direct threat to Canadian softwood lumber and downstream wood products, placing thousands of jobs across Canada at risk.
SAINT JOHN–Unifor is disappointed and frustrated by Irving Paper’s communication that 104 members will be laid off in 45 days, with the union committing to fight to prevent job losses.
“My thoughts right now are with the families who are digesting this news tonight and are feeling uncertain about their futures,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Unifor will continue pushing for a smart industrial strategy for forestry that supports these good jobs across New Brunswick and prepares the sector for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”
CALGARY – Unifor Local 101R members have voted to ratify the tentative agreement reached with Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC).
“Our members worked so hard and stood together to reach this collective agreement in difficult and uncertain economic times,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Together, we achieved important gains in work ownership protections, improved working conditions and greater job security for our members.”
KANATA, ONT. — Unifor members unanimously ratified an agreement with their employer, Best Theratronics, ending their more than nine-month long strike in Kanata, Ont.
“Congratulations to the bargaining committee for making sure members were finally heard and respected,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
BRAMPTON- Stellantis’ unexpected announcement today of a temporary pause in work on the next generation Jeep Compass, including activities at the Brampton Assembly Plant, is a matter of grave concern says Unifor.
HALIFAX–The Health Support Council of Unions says members who work as skilled trades workers, power engineers, porters, dietary, housekeeping, and other essential classifications within acute care, are growing concerned after their employers have refused to talk about any monetary items through five months of negotiations.
Montreal, QC – Unifor strongly opposes the bill tabled by Labour Minister Jean Boulet, which aims to undermine workers’ right to strike and give employers an unfair advantage. Under the guise of “protecting the public,” this legislation shifts the balance of bargaining power and amounts to a direct attack on Quebec’s middle class and workers. In these times of uncertainty and rising costs of living, the Legault government has singled out workers as the target for all concessions.
Montreal– Unifor Quebec, which represents thousands of workers in the aerospace sector, applauds the federal government’s announcement that it will award a major contract to CAE for the training of CF-35A pilots. Valued at $5 billion over 37 years, this contract will create some 1,100 direct jobs, and promises to generate significant economic benefits for Quebec and the country as a whole.
KANATA, ON. —Best Theratronics continues to bargain in bad faith with no apparent intention to negotiate an agreement to resolve the nearly 10-month long strike action at its Kanata, Ont. facility.
“It is completely unacceptable that we continue to see bad faith bargaining from this employer,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
WINGHAM, ON—Unifor won a historic arbitration award totalling approximately $15 million for nearly 200 union members who worked at Wescast Industries Inc., ending a nearly two-year severance and termination pay dispute between the company and the union.
TORONTO— President Trump’s new order to impose tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum is just the latest attack in his full-on economic war against Canada.
“Make no mistake Trump is coming for Canada and the jobs of Canadian workers,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “It’s clear his plan is to use economic warfare to weaken our economy. It’s time to push back hard. Canada must respond in full force to the tariffs on steel and aluminum to prevent the U.S. from coming after more jobs and industries.”
MONTREAL- Unifor condemns Bell’s shortsighted workforce reduction plans that will potentially cost another 1,200 workers their jobs.
“Workforce reduction plans are a damaging stunt to temporarily reduce costs, making profits appear higher on the backs of workers. Bell cannot keep cutting jobs every year and expect the ship to turn itself around,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Canada is potentially facing a trade war with the U.S., and Bell has chosen to once again leave Canadian workers unemployed in part to satisfy its move into the American market.”
VANCOUVER –Transit workers at Transdev in Cowichan Valley, B.C., went on strike early this morning, after last-minute talks broke down Friday between Unifor and the employer, following weeks of stalled negotiations.
“We support our members as they seek a fair deal and hope Transdev gets back to the table quickly,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
“As I’ve said before, strike action is not something we take lightly, but we will continue until our members are shown respect by the company.”
CALGARY—Nearly 280 Walmart fleet drivers in Calgary and Nisku have joined Unifor, marking the third successful organizing drive at Walmart in the last six months.
“Drivers play a critical role in Walmart’s supply chain. These workers are standing together to demand the respect, fair wages, and job security they deserve,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “This is yet another sign that Walmart workers across Canada are ready to fight for better working conditions—and Unifor will be there every step of the way.”
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