WINNIPEG—A CN train was safely stopped during a solidarity action by Unifor members in Winnipeg this evening as part of an escalation caused by the company’s use of scab labour in Halifax.

“CN cannot escape the spotlight. The shameful behaviour by CN Autoport in Halifax will be met with resistance across our union,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “CN can expect more unscheduled disruption from coast-to-coast if it continues strike-busting tactics.”

At a rail crossing at a public roadway near CN’s Winnipeg yards, close to 100 Unifor members and supporters held the solidarity action a safe distance away from the tracks.

Some cars loaded onto trains by scabs in Halifax are shipped to Winnipeg to be stored and delivered to dealerships across North America.

“The strike in Halifax will be resolved with good faith bargaining at the bargaining table. CN is wrong if it thinks it can bully our members with scabs. This approach will only extend the strike and cause headaches for its national operations,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director.

 

March 15, 2024

The next day, Unifor members walked a secondary picket line at the entrance of a autoport yard:

Unifor Local 100 members have been on strike at CN Autoport in Halifax since February 27, 2024. Within hours of the commencement of Unifor’s legal job action, the employer began using scabs (replacement workers) to cross the picket line.

The three longest disputes in Unifor’s history involved the use of scabs.

Unifor Local 100 represents 239 employees at the Autoport vehicle processing and transshipment hub, situated in Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia. Operating under CN Rail, Autoport stands as one of the most extensive facilities of its kind in North America, processing and transshipping close to 185,000 vehicles annually.

International Women’s Day began because of union action by a determined group of women standing up for their rights at work more than a century ago. Unifor continues that tradition every day through solidarity, education, collective bargaining and political action that builds equity in workplaces and in communities.

But on March 8, we took a moment to gather, celebrate these achievements, and sometimes even squeeze in brunch!

Celebrate with us and see the faces of the women leading the change toward equity across Unifor workplaces.

The annual International Women’s Day Toronto Rally and March on March 2 brought Unifor staff and members together with activists from a broad range of unions, associations, worker groups, feminist organizations and community groups to celebrate successes. Following a rally at the OISE auditorium, hundreds hit the streets of Toronto showing their support for the equity work that remains to be won.

 

Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle and Unifor staff and members gathered at the New Westminster office in Vancouver and held a celebration for IWD on March 10 planned by the Regional Women’s Committee. With B.C. leading the country in coverage for prescription contraception, there was a lot to celebrate.

 

Unifor National President Lana Payne spoke to more than 250 members and leaders who attended the IWD Brunch at Local 222 in Oshawa on March 10. One member even shared a moving testimonial about how the union introduced her to a welcoming community that gave her the strength to be herself.

Creating space for everyone is a key part of the work Unifor does to change workplaces and make the world a better place.

 

With stunning décor of balloons and purple lights, Local 636 in Woodstock, Ont. welcomed Unifor National President Lana Payne, Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi, and Ontario Regional Council Chair Shinade Allder to speak at their annual IWD Brunch which featured an auction draw and a photo booth set up for members to capture memories of the event.

 

Every year at the Unifor Family Education Centre (FEC) in Port Elgin, Ont., the Unifor Education Department hosts courses under the theme of Women’s Week. Courses include Women’s Advocate Basic Training for bargained Women’s Advocates, Collective Bargaining for Women, Women in Leadership and more!

Participants, leaders and FEC staff gathered for a group photo to mark IWD.

Atlantic Regional Council Interim Chair Morgan Palmer and members of the ARC Women’s Committee gathered with activist sisters in Saint John, N.B. to collect toiletries and period supplies for two local women’s shelters, Coverdale Centre and Rose House. This is an annual effort organized by a dedicated group of members that supports women and children fleeing violence.

 

In Kitchener, Ont., National President Lana Payne, Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi and Women’s Director Tracey Ramsey spoke of the importance of sisterhood with members from Local 1106 at an IWD Dinner that featured a special presentation from a local dance group. Women supporting women at every age!

 

Unifor members from coast to coast marked IWD in many ways. Stay informed on future events and the work Unifor is doing to advance women’s equity by registering for the monthly women’s newsletter at unifor.org/women.