HALIFAX – Unifor urges the Crown to uphold all charges levied against Irving Shipbuilding under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, following the company’s guilty plea to the lesser charge of failure to create a safe work procedure or plan for snow removal.

In February 2024, Unifor MWF Local 1 member, Jamie Knight, was tragically killed as a result of a workplace incident. As a result, Irving faced five charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The charges highlighted a failure to operationalize several comprehensive safety measures, including stricter adherence to manufacturer specifications for site machinery and a failure to designate a signaller.

“Every worker has the right to return home safe, healthy, and whole,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “This guilty plea is a reminder that we cannot wait for tragedy to take workplace hazards seriously. Prevention must be the foundation of workplace safety, not a lesson learned after a life is lost.”

In the wake of this tragedy, the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee, Unifor MWF Local 1, and the employer worked together to implement critical safeguards including outsourcing snow removal to specialized third-party contractors and strictly enforced no traffic periods during peak pedestrian time, such as shift changes and pre-lunch windows.

Other changes that have been made to the site include clearly defined walkways, additional stop signs, and traffic mirrors to eliminate blind spots. All members have also been provided with mandatory high-visibility outerwear and a no earbud policy has been enacted.

“We know that in the wake of workplace tragedies, justice delayed is justice denied,” said Unifor Atlantic Regional Director Jennifer Murray. “Unifor pushed to bring this case before the courts quickly to make employer accountability an immediate priority. We remain focused on turning that accountability into action, securing the systemic changes needed to guarantee that every worker returns home safe at the end of their shift.”

In Canada, approximately 1,000 workers die on the job annually. Over 20 years since the passing of the Westray Law, the union continues to call for its rigorous application, asserting that workplace fatalities should trigger more than fines. Prevention is the key to safety, and it requires rigorous enforcement and criminal accountability to ensure employers eliminate hazards at the source, because one worker not returning home is one too many.

TORONTO– The U.S. Supreme Court ruling to strike down tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) represents a legal rebuke of presidential overreach but does nothing to resolve the ongoing trade crisis threatening Canadian jobs and key industrial sectors.

“This ruling exposes how abusive and legally flawed the IEEPA tariffs were, but Canadian workers should not mistake this for a victory,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “The risk to Canadian jobs remains severe, with the potential to even increase if Trump looks for new ways to impose tariffs or target Canadian jobs and investment.”

While the Court confirmed that IEEPA does not grant President Trump authority to impose sweeping ‘economic emergency” tariffs, the ruling does not end the U.S. trade war against Canada with industry-targeted Section 232 tariffs and other punishing measures still in place.

Although the Supreme Court decision removes specific IEEPA tariffs, U.S. officials have already signalled their intent to reinstate or replace them using alternative legal authorities.

“The most damaging tariffs Canada faces were never IEEPA tariffs in the first place, because the Trump Administration chose to exempt goods that comply with our trade agreement,” said Payne. “However, so-called ‘national security’ tariffs under Section 232, targeting auto, steel, aluminum, and wood products remain fully in force and could be expanded at any time.”

The decision also has no impact on long-running anti-dumping duties, including the softwood lumber dispute, which continues to punish Canadian workers and communities.

“Protecting workers means developing and implementing strategic industrial policy and investments.” Payne added.

Unifor has advocated for actions to protect jobs, build a more resilient economy, and defend Canadian sovereignty. Find information on the union’s asks here.

Unifor local presidents from across the Greater Toronto Area gathered on Feb. 24 at the union’s National office, where they heard updates from national departments and exchanged ideas about the issues shaping their members’ workplaces.

“I just want to say thank you very much to all of our leadership, who are showing up every single day for our members, doing the hard work,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

“Even in dark times, it’s the union that fights to let the light in. We stand up. We push back. We never stop.”

Payne spoke about the U.S. tariff threats and the negative impact on members and Canadians, asking for continued solidarity and resistance during this era of uncertainty. Applauding the recent historic telco contract win at Bell Clerical, Payne also offered nuggets of wisdom when it comes to bargaining strategies.

“Our strength at the bargaining table comes from the members. Unity is what turns proposals into progress,” she said.

“Preparation, discipline, and solidarity — that’s how you push back against concessions and win better contracts.”

Unifor Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi framed her remarks around the broader economic and industrial pressures affecting sectors including manufacturing, auto and forestry, while expressing confidence in frontline local union leadership.

“In every period of instability, it is local union leaders who anchor our members. Your leadership is what turns uncertainty into collective strength,” she said.

“Even in challenging economic conditions, our union is strongest when we fight together.”

Unifor Toronto Area Director Nena Bogdanovich said the meeting provided space for local leaders to connect and share perspectives.

“Everyone always finds something to add to the conversation,” she said.

“There are a lot of times I get emails or feedback talking about opportunities for locals to come together. These are the kinds of forums where you can do some of that networking and have those conversations.”

Local presidents representing 31 locals also received updates from Unifor departments.

Equity and Racial Justice Director Tricia Wilson highlighted the upcoming Black History Month event, while the Health and Safety and Pensions departments outlined available resources.

Unifor Women’s Director Tracey Ramsey spoke about the continued growth of the Women’s Advocate Program and ongoing political priorities, including affordable childcare and research into sexual harassment.

Strike and Defence Director Erin Harrison, who also oversees Retired Workers, joined via Zoom from Windsor’s Titan Tool and Die picket line, where Unifor members have been locked out since Aug. 11, 2025. She said while Titan is the only current labour dispute in Unifor, the union is ready to act should additional members need picket line support this year.

Unifor’s Member Mobilization and Political Action department shared updates on lobbying efforts focused on protecting Canadian jobs and advancing Unifor’s worker-first economic vision.

The meeting wrapped up with Unifor Researcher Graham Cox delivering a presentation on the economics of automation and the growing impact of artificial intelligence on workers.