Montreal– Unifor Quebec, which represents thousands of workers in the aerospace sector, applauds the federal government’s announcement that it will award a major contract to CAE for the training of CF-35A pilots. Valued at $5 billion over 37 years, this contract will create some 1,100 direct jobs, and promises to generate significant economic benefits for Quebec and the country as a whole.

“Faced with the threat of a tariff war, we have no choice but to rethink our approach to procurement. We need to make a more deliberate effort to mobilize our own aerospace sector and protect our manufacturing base. This announcement is a step in the right direction. We call on the federal government to maintain this strategy when awarding future contracts.”

– Daniel Cloutier, Unifor Quebec Director 

“This announcement marks a major step forward in consolidating Quebec know-how in a cutting-edge industry. I’m confident that our members are eager to put their expertise to work to ensure the success of this partnership. We expect this contract to generate many positive spin-offs, including sustainable, well-paying jobs, while supporting innovation and the next generation in our industry.”

– Sophie Albert, President, Unifor Quebec Local 522

Among the 27 recommendations set out in its Aerospace Industry Policy unveiled in Montreal last September, Unifor highlighted the vital role of public procurement in the development of the aerospace sector.

“Project trajectories in aerospace, space and defence sectors should be reviewed with an eye towards maximizing economic benefits to Canada and building Canada’s industrial capacity. The procurement dimension, particularly when these products respond to proven and recurring needs […] is underutilized and underdeveloped in Canada. Unifor sees this as a massive and glaring weakness that must be addressed.”

– Excerpt from Unifor’s Aerospace Industry Policy: “Building for the Next Generation,” unveiled on September 26, 2024

For the full policy, visit https://aerounifor.ca/en/

WINGHAM, ON—Unifor won a historic arbitration award totalling approximately $15 million for nearly 200 union members who worked at Wescast Industries Inc., ending a nearly two-year severance and termination pay dispute between the company and the union.

“We simply cannot overstate the scale or importance of this victory—it is one of the largest and most significant wins for our members who deserve our deepest gratitude for their courage and persistence in this nearly two-year long fight,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Our union was more than happy to give Wescast and its overseas owners a $15 million lesson in workers’ rights. This outcome will set an important precedent for future disputes and send a strong message to any employer that tries to circumvent our collective agreements or labour laws: our solidarity will always be stronger than your greed.”

The arbitrator ruled that Wescast clearly violated its obligations to pay workers enhanced severance and termination pay as outlined in the collective agreement as well as under the province’s Employment Standards Act. The arbitration ruling is valued at an estimated $15 million to be paid to approximately 200 former Wescast workers and includes interest penalties.

“This ruling affirms what we have said all along, that Wescast blatantly violated the collective agreement in addition to Ontario labour law, and that our union would not stop until every worker is paid what that they are owed, plus interest,” said Unifor Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi. “This victory clearly shows why workers join our union in the first place. Being a Unifor member means having the ability to stand up to corporations that will stop at nothing to circumvent basic labour laws and violate your rights no matter how many years of loyalty and hard work you’ve put in to your job.”

Wescast Industries operated a casting plant for more than a century in Wingham, Ontario until its overseas owner, Bohong Industries Group in China, decided to shut down in 2023. Approximately 200 Unifor Local 4207 members were employed at the plant which primarily cast vehicle engine manifolds for major customers including Ford, GM, Volvo and others. Wescast is a household name in Wingham with its workforce having been largely multi-generational and the town’s community centre bearing the company’s name.

“Although it was heartbreaking to be treated so disrespectfully by this company and see our basic rights trampled on, in the end it was heartening to see all of us united like never before,” said Unifor Local 4207 Plant Chair Joel Sutton. “I am proud that our legacy as Wescast workers is that we stood up for ourselves, took this fight head-on, and won a significant victory that not only benefits us, but all workers across Canada.”

For nearly two years, the union’s membership, elected representatives and numerous staff engaged in significant efforts to hold Wescast and its owners accountable. Those efforts included putting significant public pressure on the company by repeatedly publicly condemning the company’s actions, holding a mass rally for workers in Wingham, writing letters to the Premier of Ontario and Minister of Labour, bringing Wescast workers to directly lobby the Government of Ontario, in addition to the union’s direct legal, bargaining and membership mobilization work.