Unifor Local 1996-O

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Union Meeting

Wednesday, March, 05, 2025

7:30pm – 9:00pm

Royal Canadian Legion

2 Robinson Ave. Scarborough, ON, M1L 3S7

Local meeting attendance has been low as of late, members had raised the following weekday suggested meeting as follows on a trial basis.

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Unifor pushes to protect jobs as new tariff deadline is set

Canadian union-V4

 

Unifor is calling on Canadians to stay united and remain on guard following the delay of tariffs on Canadian goods exported to the U.S. by 30-days.

“The tariffs may be paused but the union’s work to protect our members’ jobs has not,” said National President Lana Payne. “The ongoing tariff threat alone is designed to redirect investment, which will hurt jobs in Canada whether tariffs come into effect or not.”

On the eve of the February 4 implementation of a 25% tariff on Canadian goods and 10% tariff on energy exported to the U.S., the Canadian government negotiated a 30 day pause with a new potential tariff date of March 4, 2025. Canadian federal and provincial governments have also paused targeted counter-tariffs while negotiations continue.

Following the original tariff announcement, Unifor called for Canada to hit back hard and fast as everyday Canadians expressed outrage with a groundswell of patriotic support and a movement to buy Canadian.

“Canadian unity and a forceful, coordinated response propelled this initial tariff assault but we must continue to use our considerable leverage to fight back and work shoulder-to-shoulder to build a more resilient Canadian economy for the future,” added Payne.

In response to the brewing trade war, Unifor launched its Protect Canadian Jobs campaign, which includes the union’s recommendations to defend and grow jobs and boost the economy. Visit here for the latest information and to sign up for member updates.

Unifor is actively working nationwide to ensure that workers’ needs are front and centre with National President Lana Payne serving as a member of the Prime Minister’s Council on Canada-U.S. Relations, as Atlantic Regional Director Jennifer Murray fights for jobs on Premier Furey’s Newfoundland and Labrador Trade Roundtable and Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle takes workers’ concerns to three government taskforces: the Manitoba U.S. Trade Council, the B.C. Trade and Economic Security Taskforce, and the B.C. Softwood Lumber Advisory Council.

Unifor Quebec Director Daniel Cloutier expressed the union’s deep disappointment with statements made by Premier Legault during an emergency debate on the impact of American tariffs, with Cloutier accusing the Premier of completely abandoning thousands of Quebec families.

As Ontarians prepare to go to the polls, Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi is encouraging members to engage with candidates to push for commitments to defend against potential U.S. actions and protect workers in trade-exposed sectors, including manufacturing, dairy, forestry, energy and mining, auto and IPS. Addressing the concerns of workers, Unifor’s Auto Council and Independent Parts Supplier Council united to issue a joint statement committing to fight to preserve factories and jobs.

Unifor also called for action to make it easier for Canadians to support each other, urging the CEO’s of the country’s largest grocery chains to prioritize domestic suppliers and take steps to clearly identify and promote Made in Canada products in store.

“Unifor members join all Canadians in the battle to reclaim our economic independence. By uniting in actions great and small we will emerge from this crisis stronger, together,” said Payne.

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Unifor urges Canada’s grocers to prioritize Made in Canada goods

 

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.

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City of Toronto Retail Holiday Shopping Survey – Take action

 

Unifor members,

Retail workers in Toronto are facing yet another attack on their right to guaranteed time off.

Big business is pushing to expand holiday shopping exemptions, which would force more retail workers to work on statutory holidays. This is unacceptable.

Unifor has always stood firm in protecting retail workers’ statutory holidays, and we need to take action once again. Toronto City Council is consulting with the public about holiday shopping exemptions and will soon be deciding on whether to expand them, and we must make our voices heard.

Why This Matters

  • Expanding exemptions would allow more businesses to open on holidays, forcing workers to sacrifice rest and time with their families. Retail businesses in Toronto generally don’t open on nine statutory holidays, including New Year’s Day, Good Friday, and Christmas Day, unless exempted.
  • This is part of a long-standing push by big business to erode retail workers’ rights—one we must continue to resist. Toronto City Council has deliberated on holiday shopping multiple times since 2008, and each time has determined to keep the current rules intact.
  • Toronto already exempts certain businesses in designated “tourist areas,” but the criteria are vague and inconsistent. We need better guidelines to prevent abuse.
  • Statutory holidays are important, guaranteed time-off for workers to take rest, spend time with family, and contribute to their communities.

Take Action Now

We need your help to stop these changes. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey and let City of Toronto councillors know that retail workers deserve guaranteed time off:

Complete the survey here

Toronto City Council must stand with workers—not corporations—by protecting statutory holidays and establishing fairer criteria for what qualifies as a tourist destination.

Together, we can ensure retail workers get the time off they deserve.

In solidarity,

Samia Hashi
Unifor Ontario Regional Director

City of Toronto | Public Survey on the Holiday Shopping By-law, Chapter 510 | Concerning Holiday Closure Requirements for Retail Businesses in Toronto

The public survey can be found here: link.
Survey closes on February 20, 2025.

  1. Currently, retail businesses in Toronto are generally required to close on the following nine holidays: New Year’s Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

Which of the following statements do you agree with most strongly?

  • There should be no change to the current holiday closure requirements for retail businesses.
  • Retail businesses should be allowed to open on all holidays.
  • Retail businesses should be allowed to open on some holidays.
  • Other – please specify (up to 100 characters):
  1. Why do you think there should be no change to the holiday closure requirements for retail businesses? Please select all that apply.
  • Shopping at various retail businesses is not necessary on holidays.
  • Changing the current restrictions would not substantially improve business opportunities.
  • The current restrictions are needed to maintain common holidays for retail workers.
  • Supplemental services (e.g. child care and public transit) might be insufficient for retail workers who have to work on holidays.
  • Other – please specify (up to 100 characters):
  1. City staff are exploring criteria and a process for retail businesses to apply for new Tourist Area Exemptions so that retail businesses meeting certain tourism-related criteria can apply to open on the holidays.

Which one of the following statements do you agree with most strongly?

  • ALL retail businesses should be automatically permitted to open on the holidays. Retail businesses should NOT have to apply for Tourist Area Exemptions to open on holidays.
  • Only certain types of retail businesses should be automatically permitted to open on the holidays, e.g. based on the type of goods and / or services they sell, or the size of stores. Retail businesses which would not be automatically permitted to open should have to apply for Tourist Area Exemptions.
  • The status quo should be maintained. Retail businesses should NOT be able to apply for new Tourist Area Exemptions.
  • None of the above, please specify (max. 100 characters):
  1. If retail businesses can apply for new Tourist Area Exemptions in the future, what criteria should a retail business meet to qualify for the exemption? Please select all that apply.
  • Whether a retail business is located close to a tourist attraction
  • Whether a retail business relies on tourist attractions for its business
  • Whether a retail business can demonstrate that it supports Toronto’s tourism
  • Other – please specify (max. 100 characters):
  1. If you have any other thoughts about Chapter 510, Holiday Shopping, please let us know below (up to 100 characters). Please do not include any personal information in your response.Prompt: There should be a regular review and reauthorization of all Tourist Area Exemptions, involving public consultation and input from affected workers.
  2. Which of the following best describes you? Please select one.
  • I am a retail worker employed by a retail business based in the city of Toronto.
  • I am a retail business owner/operator whose business is based in the city of Toronto.
  • I am neither a retail worker nor a retail business owner/operator, but I live in the city of Toronto.
  • I am a representative of an organization. Please specify the organization (optional):
  • Other – please specify (optional). Please do not include any personal information in your response:
  • I prefer not to answer.
  1. Final question is optional and used to gather socio-demographic information.

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