Unifor extends its deepest condolences to the families and friends of those killed, and expresses concern for those injured, in the vehicle ramming at the Lapu-Lapu Day festival hosted by the Filipino community in Vancouver.

Our union is deeply saddened to mourn the tragic loss of a beloved member of Unifor Local 114, whose life was taken in this devastating incident. Their passing leaves a profound void in the hearts of their family, friends, and union sisters and brothers. We know that many in the broad Unifor family continue to be directly or indirectly affected by this tragedy. We stand together in grief and solidarity during this incredibly difficult time.

As a sponsor of the event, Unifor joins with the Filipino community and all Canadians in condemning this shocking and tragic act that has taken the lives of at least eleven people and injured many more.

Lapu-Lapu Day, celebrated annually on April 27, honours the memory of Lapu-Lapu, an inspirational Indigenous national hero who stood against Spanish colonization. This day is a powerful reminder of resilience, courage, and the enduring spirit of independence.

Unifor recognizes and deeply values the countless contributions of the Filipino-Canadian community, both within our union and across the fabric of Canadian society.

We are heartbroken that this vibrant celebration of culture and heritage was marred by such senseless violence.

Our union stands firmly alongside the community during this time of mourning and remains committed to offering support and assistance in any way possible.

Resources

For members or their family members who might need assistance, consider the following resources:

• Your local union’s Employee and Family Assistance Program
• A 24-hour assistance centre that has been established at Douglas Park Community Centre (801 West 22nd). Vancouver Policy officers are Victim Professional services have been deployed to help anyone who has not been able to contact a loved one who was at the Lapu Lapu Day event. If you are not able to attend in person, phone 604-717-3321.
• 310 Mental Health Line – Provides a toll-free number connecting callers to a BC crisis line. Offers emotional support, information on appropriate referral options, and a wide range of support relating to mental health concerns. Phone: 310-6789
• VictimLinkBC – VictimLinkBC is a toll-free, confidential, multilingual service available across B.C. and the Yukon 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be accessed by calling or texting 1-800-563-0808 or sending an email to 211-VictimLinkBC@uwbc.ca. It provides information and referral services to all victims of crime and immediate crisis support to victims of family and sexual violence, including victims of human trafficking exploited for labour or sexual services.
• Online chat service for youth (Noon to 1 a.m.)
• Online chat service for adults (Noon to 1 a.m.)
• BC211.ca – Dial or text 2-1-1 to be connected with a Resource Navigator who will provide information and referral to available social, government, and community supports and services.

If you require any additional support or are not sure where to turn, reach out to your job steward or union representative.

May Day is more than a celebration of past victories—it’s a call to action. A day to recommit ourselves to the struggle for justice, dignity and fairness for the working class and to draw strength from the collective power of working people everywhere.

This year, we mark May 1 under the shadow of escalating attacks on working people. We must remain vigilant against the stripping of union rights, slashing of public services, and the targeting of the most vulnerable workers—especially migrants—with policies rooted in exploitation and division.

In the United States, the return of Donald Trump has brought with it a renewed wave of attacks. With a stroke of a pen, nearly one million public sector workers were stripped of their collective agreements—denied the basic right to union representation.

These actions, emboldened by anti-union CEOs like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, are not isolated—they are part of a broader strategy to weaken the power of workers and concentrate wealth and control in the hands of a few.

Here at home, we’re facing our own fights.

In Quebec, Unifor members are pushing back against Bill 89, legislation that would curtail the right to strike and limit workers’ ability to bargain fairly. In Windsor, Ontario, thousands of members, retirees and community members came together at the Unifor Protect Canadian Jobs rally to demand good jobs, fair trade, and a manufacturing strategy that puts Canadian workers first.

This is the energy we need—bold, grassroots action that pushes back against erosion of rights at every level.

Globally, we are witnessing a surge of worker resistance. In Argentina, Belgium, Morocco and Greece, unions have mobilized mass general strikes against austerity, cuts to public services, and rollbacks to pension and bargaining rights.

These movements are not just about wages—they are about defending public institutions and the role of workers in shaping their futures.

In the United States, where migrant workers are increasingly targeted by immigration enforcement, unions are stepping up to defend their members from deportation and detention. These actions remind us that the labour movement must never stop fighting for equity—across status, race, gender and geography.

The stakes are high. But history has taught us that workers do not back down.

From factory floors and hospitals to classrooms and courthouses, Unifor members continue to organize, speak out and demand better—not just for ourselves, but for future generations.

On this May Day, we honour the workers who came before us, whose sacrifices built the rights we now defend. We stand with our international allies, whose courage inspires us to fight harder. And we commit to building a future rooted in solidarity, inclusion and justice.

Unions built this country and together, we’ll protect what we’ve built—and keep moving forward.