TORONTO— A sea of red shirts flooded the base of Canada’s most recognizable landmark today, as more than 250 locked-out CN Tower hospitality workers rallied alongside union leaders, allies, and supporters to demand a return to the bargaining table to negotiate a fair contract.

“These are the people who provide the unforgettable dining and hospitality experience the CN Tower is known for,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Being locked out by a federal Crown corporation is more than a labour dispute—it’s a shameful move by Canada Lands Company that deserves public outrage.”

Canada Lands Company, the federal Crown corporation that operates the CN Tower, locked out Unifor Local 4271 members just before Canada Day, after contract talks broke down.

“What did these workers get in return for years of dedication through a pandemic, soaring living costs, and no pension improvements in over a decade? A lockout,” said Unifor Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi. “This is a power play. They thought our members would back down. But they didn’t count on the strength of Local 4271 or the momentum building across Ontario’s hospitality sector.”

Shan Ramanathan, President of Unifor Local 4271, praised the unwavering unity on the line: “Our members have stood shoulder to shoulder since day one of this lockout. We’re fighting back—and we’re not leaving until we get the deal our members deserve.”

Among the messages of solidarity was one from CUPE National President Mark Hancock, who voiced strong support for the locked-out workers.

“I know you are a fighting union and know how to get contracts that work for you and your families, and I know we can win,” said Hancock.

The main negotiating issues remain wages, health benefits and safety concerns.

Calling for renewed negotiations and a path forward, Payne urged the employer to put respect back at the centre of bargaining.

“To Canada Lands Company—we say this: come back to the table and bring a fair offer,” said Payne. “These workers are ready to return to the jobs they love, to welcome guests and deliver world-class service. But they will not be sent back without respect, without fairness, and without a deal that reflects the value they bring to this landmark every single day.”

View the rally photo album here.

The unjust trade war initiated by the United States poses a clear threat to Canadian jobs and Canadian sovereignty. Unifor continues to call for all levels of government, as well as representatives from all industries, to employ all measures necessary to fight back and take sustained action  as tariffs persist.

While some industries are more heavily impacted than others through direct trade activity, the tariffs pose an economy-wide threat to Canada.

Canadian workers are rightfully concerned that a sustained trade war will cause widespread job loss and economic hardship for families across the country.

Supporting Canadian workers

Canada needs to be prepared for the potential economic impacts of a sustained trade war by strengthening social supports for working people. This includes:

• The federal government providing additional income supports for workers affected by tariffs, like measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes improved access to Employment Insurance (EI) benefits or other income assistance programs with more accessible qualifying rules, enhanced income support, longer duration, and allowances for workers to earn supplementary income or pursue education while receiving support.
• The federal government following through on the promise to implement a universal pharmacare program to provide coverage for essential medications for all Canadians, regardless of income.
• The federal government working together with each provincial and territorial government to ensure that the $10/day childcare program is a success and that there is a balanced and equitable rollout of the program across the country.
• Governments making permanent improvements – including assistance rates, eligibility criteria, and minimizing claw backs – to provincial and territorial income assistance programs.

Canada’s competitive advantage

Some Canadian manufacturing facilities have closed and relocated production to avoid U.S. tariffs.

Investment delays and temporary layoffs continue to impact  a number of Canadian industries. These are short-sighted decisions that overlook  the competitive advantages of investing in Canada.

Canada’s strong public services are among the keys elements that give the nation a competitive advantage, especially when compared to the United States. Canada’s health and social services programs, including its public health system, dental care plan, and pharmacare program, provide free or significantly reduced services to Canadians, as opposed to private employer-paid health plans or out-of-pocket costs incurred in the United States. Other social programs – including $10/day childcare, income assistance programs, and government-funded services provided by social service agencies – provide integral support for Canadian workers and their families.

Canada’s strong public education system is highly regarded internationally and serves as an important equalizer, narrowing the gap in outcomes between students from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Federal and provincial/territorial governments continue to play a significant role in funding post-secondary institutions, enabling the knowledge and skills that drive the Canadian economy.

Canada’s robust public service sector is a significant incentive for companies to keep their operations in–and move their operations to–Canada.

These public programs offer real advantages to companies by reducing health care costs, improving overall employee well-being, and attracting skilled workers seeking a stronger social safety net to support their families.

About the Health Care, Education & Social Services Sectors

Unifor is Canada’s largest private sector union, with more than 320,000 members across the country, working in every major sector of the Canadian economy.

Unifor represents approximately 44,000 members in the health care, education and social services sectors. Unifor members work in hospitals, long-term care homes, retirement homes, home care, health clinics, paramedic services, school boards, universities, colleges, and a diversity of social services.