January 30, 2025

 

This February, Unifor proudly celebrates Black History Month by honoring the remarkable achievements and contributions of our members who strengthen our union, communities, and country every single day. We recognize the important work of Unifor members, BIWOC committee activists, and Racial Justice Advocates who champion equity and inclusion year round.

The 2025 Canadian theme for the month, Black Legacy and Leadership: Celebrating Canadian History and Uplifting Future Generations, reminds us of the deep, enduring impact of Black workers in building a fairer, more equitable society. From the fight for civil rights to organizing for safer workplaces and better pay, Black workers have profoundly shaped the labour movement and set a strong foundation for solidarity and progress.

The brilliance, resilience, and leadership of Unifor members inspire us all. Their work fosters fairness and unites us in times of division. These stories of triumph and perseverance resonate across the union and our society, reminding us that progress is never guaranteed—it must be defended, especially in times of adversity.

As the rights that generations of workers fought tirelessly to embed in our workplaces and communities are increasingly called into question, Unifor reaffirms its commitment to building worker power to combat hate, discrimination, and division. We reject attempts to divide working people and remain steadfast in ensuring that every worker is treated with dignity, respect, and fairness.

Economic challenges and social uncertainty demand that we come together, drawing strength from the profound progress our union has made for working people and our collective resolve to create a fairer and more just society.

This February, Unifor will celebrate Black excellence by sharing the stories of Black members and their important contributions to workplaces and communities from coast to coast to coast. These voices are vital in shining a light on the transformative power of unity and in driving the fight for justice, equity, and inclusion forward.

Unifor encourages all members to take this month to learn, reflect, and act—because the work of advancing equity and combating oppression is a shared responsibility that shapes the better world, we all need and deserve.

January 23, 2025

 

On this solemn occasion of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Unifor stands in solidarity to honor the memory of the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust, alongside the millions of others who suffered and perished under Nazi persecution. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest and most infamous Nazi concentration and extermination camp during World War II. The anniversary is a powerful reminder of the atrocities born from hatred and bigotry and our collective role to combat antisemitism and hate.

We must confront the alarming resurgence of antisemitism across the globe. This rising tide of hatred and discrimination demands vigilance and action from all of us, especially from unions and working people who play a critical role in building inclusive and equitable societies.

The Holocaust serves as a stark warning of the devastating consequences of unchecked prejudice and the necessity of combating hatred in all its forms. Labour unions like Unifor have a unique responsibility to champion diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workplaces and communities. Together, we can build solidarity across differences, fostering a society where every individual is respected and valued.

Unifor reaffirms our commitment to combatting antisemitism, racism, and all forms of discrimination. Through education and awareness, we aim to equip our members and communities with the tools to challenge hatred, promote understanding, and create spaces of tolerance, respect, and belonging.

This day also honors the resilience of Holocaust survivors, whose stories teach us about the strength of the human spirit and the necessity of standing united against oppression. Their testimonies must continue to guide our actions and inspire our resolve to fight for justice and equality.

As we commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we call on our members, partners, and allies to join us in this important work. Together we honor the victims and survivors by remaining steadfast in our commitment to fight hatred, build bridges, and ensure that the lessons of the Holocaust are never forgotten.

Together, we remember, we learn, and we organize for a world free from hate, where solidarity and justice prevail.

January 21, 2025

WASHINGTON— Unifor warns that Canada must act to protect workers and Canadian jobs amid the continued threat of U.S. tariffs in the Trump era.
“The looming tariff threat serves as a real wake up call on the need to mitigate the risk to Canadian workers,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
President Trump indicated that he may move ahead with a 25 per cent across-the-board tariff on Canadian goods as soon as February 1, 2025.
“The reality is that Trump could impose punishing tariffs at any time while continuing to make demands for concessions from Canada. This intentional strategy of constant chaos and the mere threat of tariffs is damaging to jobs, investment and our economy,” said Payne. “Canada has to do a number of things to make sure that it’s prepared to respond to that threat on February 1 or at any time during Trump’s presidency. We must initiate policies to shore up worker protections and industries.”
Payne, appointed to the Prime Minister’s Council on Canada-U.S. Relations and a member of the industry-led Canada U.S. Trade Council, joined Canadian stakeholders at the Canadian Embassy in Washington D.C. on inauguration day to advocate for Canadian workers.
Unifor outlined pre-emptive actions in a letter to Prime Minister Trudeau, including enhanced income supports for workers to prepare for a potential rise in unemployment with improved access to Employment Insurance benefits and other special income assistance programs. Better management of strategic national resources through industrial policy and the establishment of reciprocal procurement policies for U.S. suppliers with leveraging of public purchasing for industrial development.
In the event of U.S. tariffs, the union recommends targeted and strategic tariff retaliation and emergency relief programs to mitigate risk of layoff and sustain companies in their operations.
“Unifor has been clear that a 25% tariff would be devastating to both Canadian and American workers,” added Payne. “We cannot afford to let down our guard and taking proactive measures to protect Canadian jobs just makes sense.”

January 23, 2025

 

Today marks eight years since the tragic events of January 29, 2017, when an Islamophobic and racist act of violence took the lives of six worshippers at the Centre Culturel Islamique de Québec.

We remember the six individuals whose lives were senselessly taken: Ibrahima Barry, Mamadou Tanou Barry, Khaled Belkacemi, Abdelkrim Hassane, Azzedine Soufiane, and Aboubaker Thabti. On this solemn day of remembrance, Unifor stands in solidarity with Muslim communities, including the survivors of this attack, to honor the lives lost to this horrifying violence.

This day is especially important as we continue to witness an alarming rise of Islamophobia and anti-Muslim violence during a time of increased conflict.

Canada’s Senate Committee on Human Rights reports that rampant Islamophobia in Canada is costing Canadian Muslims their wellbeing and even their lives—and these issues have a dire impact on our communities, workplaces, and our society.

On many fronts, labour unions have an important role in building a stronger sense of safety and belonging for Muslim workers. We do so through collective bargaining, demanding that employers collaborate with us to foster more safe and equitable workplaces, and by enforcing better policies to protect all people, regardless of their religion.

As workers committed to social justice, equality, and the fundamental rights of all individuals, we strongly denounce Islamophobia in all its forms.

Education is our most powerful tool in the fight against hate. Unifor calls for the inclusion of anti-Islamophobia education in school curricula, workplaces, and community programs. By working together to instill understanding and tolerance, we can create a society where acts of violence cease to exist.

As we reflect on the devastating brutality of that day, we must also reflect on ways we can each take concrete action against Islamophobia.

Let us stand united against all forms of hatred.

Government Benefits 2025