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Mental health was the front and centre topic at the Education Technical Office and Professional (ETOP) Council on May 29 and 30 at Unifor’s national office in Toronto.

“We have found in the ETOP sector it’s really had a huge impact for all of our members,” said ETOP Council Chair Emily Heikoop. “We need to reduce the stigma and change how we talk about mental health in the workplace, both in terms of representing our members and taking care of our union reps who are taking care of them.”

Unifor’s commitment to social justice and international solidarity has been recognized on a global stage. Labour union activists Ken Luckhardt and Brenda Wall, received the Order of the Companions of O.R. Tambo award on April 30, 2024 from the South African government for their pivotal role in the anti-apartheid movement.

Testimony of Lana Payne, National President
May 30, 2024

Good afternoon Madame Chair, and members of the committee.

My name is Lana Payne and I’m the National President of Unifor, Canada’s largest labour union in the private sector representing 320,000 working people across the country. Joining me is Unifor Director of Research Angelo DiCaro.

PRESCOTT, ONT.—The members at Unifor Local 4266 who work at First Student bus in Prescott, Ont., near Kingston, have unanimously voted for their first contract.

“Congratulations to the bargaining committee for its work in this milestone contract,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. 

Unifor members joined thousands of Ontarians in a united stand against the privatization of health care at  rallies organized by the Ontario Health Coalition throughout the province on May 30.

TROIS-RIVIERES - Unifor announces that 298 members of Locals 136, 234, 234 cp and 265 working for the Kruger Trois-Rivières S.E.C. plant went on strike last night. This follows the overwhelming rejection of an offer from the employer.

After months of fruitless negotiations on monetary issues, the members voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action to express their dissatisfaction and their determination to obtain a fair collective agreement.

London, ON—Members at the newly organized Unifor Local 27 bargaining unit at The Original Cakerie have ratified a first contract that covers 820 workers who produce up to 10,000 cakes per day for Costco and other big chain grocery stores.

TORONTO—Workers at Nestle have ratified a new three-year contract today with the chocolate maker that has significant bumps in wages, pensions, and health benefits, ending a strike that began on May 5.

“Congratulations to the bargaining committee for their tenacious work in securing this deal, which protects members from precarious work and provides them and their families some cushion from the affordability crisis we’re in,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

The Unifor Ontario Region Retired Workers Council Meeting, held at Unifor Local 88 in Ingersoll, Ontario on May 29, saw retirees coming together to celebrate their contributions to the union and to discuss future initiatives.

“Retirees are invaluable to our union,” said Samia Hashi, Unifor Ontario Regional Director. “Their wisdom and unwavering commitment serve as a foundation upon which we continue to build our union."

STONEY CREEK, ONT.—Unifor members at Waste Management Canada Corp. (WM) have ratified a new three-year contract today, ending a nearly month-long strike.

“We’re proud of our members for standing up for a healthier work environment,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

“WM workers provide skilled and crucial waste management services in the southwestern Ontario region and they’re ready to get back to work and serve their communities.”

WILLIAMS LAKE—Unifor Local 3018 will begin legal strike action against Taseko (TSX:TKO) at its Gibraltar Mine if a fair settlement cannot be reached before Friday, May 31 at 11:59 p.m.

“With the rising cost of living it's crucial that our members at Gibraltar receive fair wages, strong safety protocols, and equitable treatment on the job,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

Nestlé workers in Toronto were proudly joined by Unifor’s Ontario Regional Council executive and members at a rally at the plant where Kit Kat, Aero, and Coffee Crisp chocolate bars, as well as S

VANCOUVER—Workers at the Amazon facility in Delta can vote this week to join Canada’s largest union in the private sector after the B.C. Labour Relations Board (BCLRB) dealt with Unifor’s application on May 27, 2024.

“The power of union representation is within reach for Amazon workers at Delta,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “The best way to have a strong voice at work is to vote to join our union and send your employer a clear collective message.”

The 85 members of Local 2022 working at Viterra Canada's canola and soybean processing and refining plant in Bécancour began strike action on May 26, following a unanimous strike vote taken earlier in the month.

The workers are denouncing the inadequacy of the employer's proposals after eight fruitless negotiation sessions.

OTTAWA—Unifor applauds Members of Parliament for unanimously passing the amended Bill C-58, otherwise known as anti-scab legislation, today, but now urges the Senate to approve so the law can be implemented as soon as possible.

“This legislation is about protecting the right to fair and free collective bargaining, including the right to strike,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Workers have fought for generations to get to this day, but there is still a final step.”

The 95 employees at Toromont Industries in Bradford, Ont. have chosen Unifor to fight in their corner.

“In order to build collective worker power, organizing is a key first step,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “We welcome our new manufacturing members and applaud them for standing up and fighting for their rights and for a better future. We look forward to you bargaining your first collective agreement as Unifor members.”

The first joint session of Unifor’s Auto and IPS Councils brought autoworkers together to collaborate on strategies to meet the opportunities and challenges of the EV transition.

The joint Council assembled more than 180 auto sector union leadership and members from across the Detroit Three and independent parts suppliers on May 23 in London, Ontario.

Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle met with Minister of State for Sustainable Forestry Innovation Andrew Mercier and Local 592 and 686 leadership to tour the Paper Excellence Port Alberni facility on May 23, 2024. The Paper Excellence mill provides specialty products and good union jobs for the whole region.

OTTAWA— In what was supposed to be an uplifting email message to workers over the Victoria Day long weekend, Best Theratronics (BTL) owner Krishnan Suthanthiran instead went on a tirade, casting his workers as entitled and lazy for having too many statutory holidays, touting the benefits of a seven-day workweek, and even threatening to move jobs of workers on strike at the company overseas.

HALIFAX—Unifor welcomes news that fully funding the workers’ pension plan is part of the agreement reached between the Province of Nova Scotia and Paper Excellence, the parent company of the Northern Pulp mill in Pictou, N.S.

Unifor solidarity was in full force at the Nestle picket line in Toronto today as Ontario Regional Council executive and members rallied to support the chocolate giant’s workers who have been out on strike since May 5.

“The Ontario Regional Council stands together with members at times when they’re going through a tough strike or lock-out to show our support,” said Balkar Bains, Unifor ORC Secretary-Treasurer, who attended the rally. 

Members at KB Components Canada have voted to ratify a new three-year agreement following tense negotiations that culminated in a standoff to prevent the removal of equipment from the plant when the strike deadline approached. 

“I commend all of our members for their swift action, that prevented anything being removed from this plant, that would have weakened the union’s bargaining power and diluted any potential strike action,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. 

Lana Payne

Investment in Canada’s auto industry is booming. With Honda’s recent $15 billion commitment to new EVs and battery components, including a first-ever separator facility in Port Colborne, that’s more than $50 billion in auto supply chain investments in just over three years – an impressive run of industrial success. 

Sadly, some in this country have a hard time accepting this.

Unifor Prairie Regional Council delegates gathered in Regina during May 1–3 to discuss recent successes and make a plan to elect a worker-friendly government in Saskatchewan.

TORONTO—Unifor will join members and supporters for a solidarity rally on Thursday, May 23 at 10 a.m. to support Unifor Local 252 on strike at Nestle’s Toronto manufacturing plant. 

“It’s been nearly three weeks since our workers went on strike and Nestle has refused to budge on pension improvements and the time it takes to get to the top rate of pay,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

MONTREAL—Unifor welcomes the Quebec government's creation of a new aerospace innovation zone in Greater Montreal. Espace Aéro helps meet the aerospace industry’s needs identified by key stakeholders and reflects the strategic role it plays in Quebec’s economy. This initiative will help strengthen Montreal's position as one of the world's leading aerospace industrial centres and improve future prospects for thousands of the sector’s workers.

Unifor is disappointed by the key omission of Employment Insurance (EI) reform to improve eligibility and benefits for workers in federal Budget 2024.

“While our union believes this year’s budget builds upon the social fabric, one major piece of the puzzle is missing with the lack of EI reform,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. 

National AccessAbility Week, from May 26 to June 1, 2024, Unifor recognizes the valuable contributions, achievements and leadership of persons with disabilities. On this week, our union wishes to highlight the important work being done in concert with allies, organizations, and communities to remove barriers and create a more accessible and inclusive society.

STONEY CREEK—Unifor is extremely concerned about Waste Management Canada Corp. (WM) using managers and outside workers as scab labour and creating safety concerns.

“It is clear by the company’s actions that they will resort to any means necessary to try to bust our strike and demands for a fair collective agreement,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “WM’s use of unqualified scabs creates a dangerous work environment, and it is our concern as a union that health and safety is at risk as a result.”

BRAMPTON—Workers and community supporters rallied today at the MDA Space headquarters in Brampton, Ontario where workers have been on strike for the past five weeks, fighting for a fair contract.