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.

“We simply cannot overstate the scale or importance of this victory—it is one of the largest and most significant wins for our members who deserve our deepest gratitude for their courage and persistence in this nearly two-year long fight,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Our union was more than happy to give Wescast and its overseas owners a $15 million lesson in workers’ rights. This outcome will set an important precedent for future disputes and send a strong message to any employer that tries to circumvent our collective agreements or labour laws: our solidarity will always be stronger than your greed.”

The arbitrator ruled that Wescast clearly violated its obligations to pay workers enhanced severance and termination pay as outlined in the collective agreement as well as under the province’s Employment Standards Act. The arbitration ruling is valued at an estimated $15 million to be paid to approximately 200 former Wescast workers and includes interest penalties.

“This ruling affirms what we have said all along, that Wescast blatantly violated the collective agreement in addition to Ontario labour law, and that our union would not stop until every worker is paid what that they are owed, plus interest,” said Unifor Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi. “This victory clearly shows why workers join our union in the first place. Being a Unifor member means having the ability to stand up to corporations that will stop at nothing to circumvent basic labour laws and violate your rights no matter how many years of loyalty and hard work you’ve put in to your job.”

Wescast Industries operated a casting plant for more than a century in Wingham, Ontario until its overseas owner, Bohong Industries Group in China, decided to shut down in 2023. Approximately 200 Unifor Local 4207 members were employed at the plant which primarily cast vehicle engine manifolds for major customers including Ford, GM, Volvo and others. Wescast is a household name in Wingham with its workforce having been largely multi-generational and the town’s community centre bearing the company’s name.

“Although it was heartbreaking to be treated so disrespectfully by this company and see our basic rights trampled on, in the end it was heartening to see all of us united like never before,” said Unifor Local 4207 Plant Chair Joel Sutton. “I am proud that our legacy as Wescast workers is that we stood up for ourselves, took this fight head-on, and won a significant victory that not only benefits us, but all workers across Canada.”

For nearly two years, the union’s membership, elected representatives and numerous staff engaged in significant efforts to hold Wescast and its owners accountable. Those efforts included putting significant public pressure on the company by repeatedly publicly condemning the company’s actions, holding a mass rally for workers in Wingham, writing letters to the Premier of Ontario and Minister of Labour, bringing Wescast workers to directly lobby the Government of Ontario, in addition to the union’s direct legal, bargaining and membership mobilization work.

TORONTO, Ont.-Unifor is urging Canada’s largest grocery stores, owned by Empire, Loblaw and Metro, to prioritize the purchasing and promotion of made in Canada products in response to the Trump administration’s reckless trade war against Canadian workers.

In a letter to the CEOs of Empire, Loblaw and Metro, Unifor National President Lana Payne encouraged the grocers to make it easier for shoppers to identify made in Canada products on their shelves to support domestic industries and protect jobs.

“Canadian workers and their families are ready to defend against the Trump tariff threat and we need Canadian grocers to do their part,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “These unfair tariffs are a direct attack on Canadian jobs. We are encouraging Empire, Loblaws and Metro to help their customers support Canadian workers and companies.”

The Trump administration’s ongoing threat to impose 25% tariffs on Canadian exports puts tens of thousands of jobs at risk across multiple sectors.

“It’s part of our union’s call to go beyond ‘Buy Canadian,’ we need to ‘Make Canadian’ and create good union jobs at the same time” added Payne.

Unifor is urging the grocery retailers to:

Prioritize Canadian suppliers, ensure all private label brands are domestically produced and, where possible, source alternative suppliers for U.S. goods.

Clearly identify made in Canada goods with distinct signage, including shelf tags, stickers, prominent shelf placement, end of aisle displays, along with flyer and sales promotion to help consumers make informed choices.

Read Unifor’s letter to Empire CEO Michael Medline, Loblaw CEO Per Bank and Metro CEO Eric La Flèche here.

Unifor represents more than 11,000 grocery store workers at Canada’s grocery chains and represents thousands more who support the country’s food supply, including those in processing, warehouses, and distribution.

As Canada faces ongoing threats from the U.S., the union has launched it’s Protect Canadian Jobs campaign. Read Unifor’s recommendations to protect jobs and shore up the economy here.