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Thousands rise at Unifor rally to Protect Canadian Jobs

WINDSOR- With fists raised and voices roaring, thousands of Unifor members, labour leaders, and allies surged into Windsor’s Riverfront Festival Plaza today in a powerful show of defiance against U.S. President Trump’s assault on Canadian jobs.

“Trump’s trade war is a direct attack on Canadian workers, and today we are sending a clear message – we won’t back down,” declared Unifor National President Lana Payne. “We will fight for our jobs, our industries, our future and our country. This rally is proof that we are united, we are strong, and we are ready.”

Unifor supports Premier Ford’s push to build subway cars at Alstom Thunder Bay plant

THUNDER BAY, ONT.—Unifor supports Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s call for Toronto to have its Line 2 subway cars manufactured at the Alstom plant in Thunder Bay. This move is expected to secure jobs for workers represented by Unifor Local 1075. 

“Unifor backs the push to see our Thunder Bay members building subway cars for Toronto,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Ensuring different levels of governments are coordinating to put procurement dollars to work and maximize Canadian jobs is always good policy and, in these times, even more so.”

Transdev transit workers fight for wage parity as strike enters 11-week mark

DUNCAN, B.C.— Unifor members have rejected Transdev’s latest offer, continuing a strike now in its 11th week. The dispute centers on wage disparities between Transdev workers and other B.C. transit employees, particularly in Victoria and Vancouver.

"Our union will continue to stand strong alongside our transit members to achieve fairness in a region with a rapidly growing cost of living," Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Our members deserve fair wages that reflect today’s affordability challenges.”

Unifor members organize against bloated executive compensation at BCE AGM

Toronto/Montreal – Unifor members at Bell (BCE.TO) and its subsidiaries are organizing to protest multi-million executive bonuses at the company’s upcoming AGM. 

“Bell can expect our union to be vocal when the executives continue to cut good jobs while rewarding themselves with fat bonuses,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “We are asking shareholders to examine the facts: more layoffs, a stunning drop in profits, and lucrative executive bonuses and we are asking they push back and demand better from the company’s C-suite and board of directors.” 

Canadian Comedians Finally Write a Joke So Good It Comes With Benefits

Toronto, Quebec City – April 16, 2025 – The Canadian Association of Stand-up, Sketch & Improv Comedians (CASC) is proud to announce a strategic partnership with the Canadian Freelance Union-Unifor (CFU) to advance the rights and benefits of Canadian comedians nationwide.​

Unifor cautions vigilance as Honda commits to full-production at Alliston plant

TORONTO – While Unifor is encouraged that Honda Canada has confirmed its facility in Alliston, Ontario, will operate at full capacity for the foreseeable future with no changes being considered at this time the union cautions vigilance amid the ongoing threat to Canadian auto jobs posed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

 

Striking Transdev workers to rally outside BC Transit

VICTORIA — Transdev transit workers in Cowichan Valley have been on strike for over eight weeks – since February 8 – fighting for access to bathrooms that are not shared by the public and reasonable break times to use them.

“Sanitation and access to restrooms are a basic human right,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

“Our members’ strike is about basic working conditions, which are critical to deliver the public transit services they provide to the community of Cowichan.”

Canadian counter-tariffs on U.S. vehicles necessary retaliation

TORONTO—Canadian counter-tariffs of 25% on vehicles imported from U.S., which came into effect today, are a necessary retaliation says Unifor. 

“There is absolutely no justification for the United States to impose tariffs on Canadian vehicles. Canada did not start this trade war, but we have no choice but to fight. We refuse to back down and sacrifice Canada’s auto jobs and industry on Donald Trump’s altar,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. 

Bell executives award themselves more than $5M after slashing thousands of jobs

TORONTO—Unifor condemns Bell Canada Enterprises (BCE) executives for awarding themselves more than $5 million in bonuses, including nearly $2.4 million to CEO Mirko Bibic, following massive job cuts and stock drops.

“This announcement dropped on April Fool’s Day, but sadly, this is no joke,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. 

“The company laid off thousands, its stock went down by 30% and yet, the richest and most powerful continue to profit off the back of our members.”

Trump attacks Canadian auto jobs with unjust tariffs

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.”

Unifor Local 922 members ratify new contract with Nutrien

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.” 

Unifor launches campaign to encourage members to vote in the federal election

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.”

Unifor members vote for strike action if necessary at Arbutus Club

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.” 

Unifor ratifies new contract at Manitoba Hydro

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. 

Unifor calls for Prime Minister Carney to unite team Canada

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.

U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs damage industry and workers in both countries

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.