Unifor frequently releases position statements on a variety of issues related to the work of the union, politics and a variety of other contemporary topics. Here you’ll find the latest statements by the union as well as letters sent to government officials and other stakeholders.
August 24, 2021
August 2021
Unifor is expressing solidarity with the people and workers of Afghanistan, as news reports continue to paint a dire and desperate situation for the country...
Unifor commemorates the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples on Monday, August...
Nelson Mandela Day is recognized each year by the United Nations on July 18, Mandela’s birthday, to commemorate his legacy of struggle for freedom and...
The Honourable Doug Ford, M.P.P.
Premier of Ontario
Dear Premier Ford,
The federal government announced the Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP) on April 19, in Budget 2021.
June 23, 2021
SENT VIA EMAIL
The Honourable Rod Phillips, M.P.P.
Minister of Long Term Care
While we celebrate the strength, brilliance and diversity of the cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples this National Indigenous Peoples Day,...
Unifor is horrified by reports of a car attack on Sunday evening in London, Ontario that left four family members dead and a nine-year old child, the sole...
June 3, 2021
The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, P.C., M.P.
Unifor mourns the loss of the 215 children found on Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc territory who perished in the...
May 2021
The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, P.C., M.P.
Prime Minister of Canada
Dear Prime Minister Trudeau,
The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, P.C., M.P.
Prime Minister of Canada
Dear Prime Minister Trudeau,
Unifor thanks all paramedics for their exceptional courage and compassion on the occasion of Paramedic Services Week, which runs from May 23 to May 29, 2021...
In celebration of Personal Support Worker Day on May 19, 2021 Unifor salutes the contributions of the thousands of Unifor members who work as Personal...
Unifor unequivocally condemns the atrocities committed on the people of Gaza by the Israeli bombardments that have escalated over the past week.
May 17, 2021
Unifor recognises the dedication and achievements of nurses who contribute to excellence in health care and raise awareness of the issues and challenges of...
May 5, 2021
SENT VIA EMAIL
On May 1, Unifor marks the International Workers' Day - May Day!
The 1,100 workers have been without a collective agreement since December 2018.
The Honourable Jason Kenney, P.C., M.L.A.
Premier of Alberta
Dear Premier,
The Honourable John Horgan, P.C., M.L.A.
Premier of British Columbia
Dear Premier,
The Honourable Brian Pallister, M.L.A.
Premier of Manitoba
Dear Premier,
The Honourable Blaine Higgs, M.L.A.
Premier of New Brunswick
Dear Premier,
The Honourable Andrew Furey, M.H.A., F.R.C.S.C.
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
Dear Premier,
The Honourable Iain Rankin, M.L.A.
Premier of Nova Scotia
Dear Premier,
The Honourable Premier Ford, M.P.P.
Premier of Ontario
The Honourable Dennis King, M.L.A.
The Honourable François Legault, M.N.A.
Premier of Quebec
The Honourable Scott Moe, M.L.A.
Premier of Saskatchewan
Dear Premier,
Today the government announced a new order under the EMPCA that authorizes health care professionals to provide patient care services outside their regular...
June 16, 2020
Anne Naser
President and CEO
WorkSafeBC
Dear Ms. Naser,
April 12, 2021
SENT VIA EMAIL
Dear Premier,
Re: Prioritizing front-line airport workers in the vaccine roll-out
Honourable Blaine Higgs
Premier of New Brunswick
Chancery Place
P.O. Box 6000
Fredericton, NB
E3B 5H1
Honourable Dennis King
Premier of Prince Edward Island
PEI Government Administration Shaw Building
95 Rochford St
Honourable Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
Confederation Building, East Block
P.O. Box 8700
Honourable Iain Rankin
Office of the Premier
P.O. Box 726
Halifax, NS
B3J 2T3
April 1, 2021
The Honourable Caroline Mulroney
Minister of Transportation
The Honourable Mona Fortier
Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Financ
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on March 21st - marred in history when police in Sharpeville...
The Honourable Mary Ng, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade
This year, as many in our society both young and old feel isolated and alone, it is more important than ever to stand united against bullying on Pink Shirt...
Dear Premier Ford,
February 2, 2021
Q. Can the government mandate COVID-19 vaccinations?
Unifor supports the rights of all people to access public mental health care free from barriers.
January 21, 2021
Via Email
Dear Board Members,
Re: Support for paid sick days
Dear Premier Ford and Minister McNaughton,
Dear Premier Ford & Minister Lecce,
December 15, 2020
Honourable Doug Ford, Office of the Premier
Legislative Building, Queen’s Park
Toronto, ON M7A 1A1
December 15, 2020
By email: Chrystia.Freeland@parl.gc.ca
Bill C-65, An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code (harassment and violence) is legislation that comes in to effect on January 1st, 2021...
In the ongoing struggle to end violence against women, much has changed since December 6, 1989 and, unfortunately, much has stayed the same.
Every year, on December 1, people around the world commemorate World AIDS Day.
November 30, 2020
Unifor unites with a growing movement around the world in acknowledging November 20 as the Trans Day of Remembrance (TDOR).
Le 17 octobre 2020
This year marks the 27th consecutive year that the United Nations has designated October 17 as a day to commit to ending global poverty. But 2020 finds...
September 25, 2020
To: All Local President and Recording Secretaries
FINANCIAL APPEAL – DOMINION STORES, LOCAL 597 (NEWFOUNDLAND)
October 7, 2020
TO: Dale Mastel, Vice President, UWUA Local 609
Robert Laidlaw, UWUA Local 609 Negotiating Committee
September 30, 2020
On October 1st we celebrate the International Day of Older Persons.
Globally workers, organizations, sports teams, business and unions continue to take direct action and demand racial justice.
August 27, 2020
On behalf of the over 2,500 Ontario school bus drivers represented by Unifor, we are asking that the provincial government take immediate action in...
July 30, 2020
Harassment, assault, and murder committed by police in the United States and Canada are unjust and unacceptable.
Dear Prime Minister Trudeau and Canada’s Premiers
June 29, 2020
June 29, 2020
June 23, 2020
SENT VIA EMAIL
Unifor stands in support of requiring the heads of Canada’s largest grocery chains to testify before a House of Commons committee about why they are all...
June 7,2020
Sent by email: pdube@ombudsman.on.ca
June 15, 2020
SENT VIA EMAIL
Sarah Davis
President, Loblaw Companies Limited
May 19, 2020
SENT VIA EMAIL
The Honourable Minister Carla Qualtrough, P.C., M.P.
Unifor, Canada’s largest media union, condemns violence against media crews across the U.S.
Unifor emphatically condemns the most recent blatant acts of racism and racially-motivated police violence in the United States of America.
May 26, 2020
SENT VIA EMAIL
The Honourable Blaine Higgs, M.L.A.
Premier of New Brunswick
May 20, 2020
The Honourable Marc Miller, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Indigenous Services
Unifor celebrates personal support workers (PSWs) in Ontario, and Continuing Care Assistants (CCAs) in Nova Scotia on May 19, Personal Support Worker Day....
May 17, 2020
May 12, 2020
Honourable Doug Ford
Office of the Premier
Legislative Building, Queen’s Park
Hon. Rod Phillips
Ontario Minister of Finance
Date: May 11, 2020
Minister Phillips,
Unifor stands with workers across the country and around the globe in recognizing and celebrating the outstanding contributions of nurses through the...
April 29, 2020
SENT VIA EMAIL pm@pm.gc.ca
May 7, 2020
Sent by email: premier@ontario.ca
Hon. Doug Ford
April 13, 2020
The Honourable Stephen McNeil, M.L.A.
Premier of Nova Scotia
On April 28, Unifor joins workers across Canada to commemorate those injured or killed on the job.
April 16, 2020
SENT VIA EMAIL
The Honourable Dwight Ball, M.H.A.
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
April 16, 2020
SENT VIA EMAIL
The Honourable Blaine Higgs, M.L.A.
Premier of New Brunswick
On March 11, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic.
April 3, 2020
The Honourable Minister Carla Qualtrough, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion
April 2, 2020
The Right Honourable Prime Minister Trudeau, P.C., M.P.
Prime Minister of Canada
Dear Prime Minister,
March 23, 2020
Dear members,
Thank you for keeping Canada connected
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
Dear Minister Garneau:
To all Premiers across Canada,
International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8 is a global day of celebration of women and women’s achievements.
March 2, 2020 marks the first Black Mental Health Day, set to occur annually on the first Monday in March.
Honorable Carrie Lam
Chief Executive of Hong Kong
Office of the Chief Executive
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Dear Ms. Bejarano,
Unifor proudly recognizes Pink Shirt Day, an annual event on the last Wednesday in February where people across Canada unite and commit to commitment to...
February 14, 2020
On International Migrants Day, Unifor reaffirms its strong commitment to protecting the rights of migrants.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was drafted to guide people out of conflict and suffering.
On December 6 we mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women.
Shawn McLeod
Deputy Minister of Labour and Immigration
Labour Building, 10th Floor
10808 – 99 Avenue
November 25, 2019
Honourable François-Philippe Champagne
Minister of Foreign Affairs Ottawa
Ontario Canada K1A 0A6
Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is an annual observance on November 20 that honors the memory of the transgender and gender diverse people whose lives...
Premier Blaine Higgs
Chancery Place
Fredericton, NB
Friday, October 25, 2019
Dear Premier Higgs,
October 4 is a day to honour murdered and missing Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirited peoples (MMIWG2S) while showing love and support to their...
On October 1st we celebrate the International Day of Older Persons.
Premier Stephen McNeil
Halifax, Nova Scotia
September 6, 2019
Dear Premier McNeil and caucus,
Unifor supports UAW in negotiations for a fair contract with GM
September 15, 2019
Solidarity to striking workers, to your families, and to the Communications Workers of America.
August 19, 2019
Hateful harassment and violence targeting LGBTQ people must be stopped at the source.
The Honourable Marc Garneau
Minister of Transport
Ottawa, Ontario
July 10, 2019
Dear Minister Garneau:
June 3, 2019
On May 17, 2019, International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOT), Unifor encourages members to build community with queer and trans...
Today, May 1, 2019 Unifor joins nations around the world to mark International Workers’ Day or May Day.
March 15, 2019
March 6, 2019
February 28, 2019
Letter of solidarity from Unifor
To: UE union and UE Locals 506 & 618
February 19, 2019
February 7, 2019
Unifor unites with a growing movement around the world in acknowledging November 20 as the Trans Day of Remembrance (TDOR).
We come together as unions representing ICTS and contact centre employees around the world to jointly state our commitment to ensure that Teleperformance...
October 4, 2018
Dear Premier Ball,
Unifor mourns the loss of a great civil rights advocate and union leader. Dr. Bromley Lloyd Armstrong passed away on August 17, 2018.
Thursday, July 26, 2018
Dear Premier McNeil:
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
Dear Nova Scotians:
Calls to end "zero tolerance" migration policy that has resulted in the separation of migrant children and parents at the southern United States border...
Unifor calls to End the Ban
In recognition of the hard work and dedication of nurses throughout Canada, Unifor celebrates and salutes all nurses on National Nursing Week, held on May 7...
The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, P.C., M.P.
Prime Minister of Canada
Langevin Block
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2
Please accept this submission on Bill 107, amending the Labour Standards Code, Respecting Leaves of Absence.
On April 28 Unifor joins workers across Canada to observe the National Day of Mourning to remember and honour those workers who have died or who have been...
Unifor celebrates International Francophonie Day 2018
March 20, 2018
I write today in support of the thousands of Unifor members working in the steel and aluminum sectors, including 1,000 at Rio Tinto in British Columbia and...
February 27, 2018
Premier Stephen McNeil,
February 13, 2018
Unifor echoes and amplifies the longstanding demands from Indigenous people for reform of Canada’s broken justice system.
The first time Muslims were killed inside a mosque in North America happened on January 29, 2017 and it happened in Canada.
January 30, 2018
To download PDF of statement see below.
This past week in Ontario alone, five women have been murdered in situations of domestic violence – by their ex-boyfriend, their husband or the husband of...
Unifor members across the country will be taking part in the national day of action on January 19 in support of Tim Hortons workers who have had their...
Minister Mitzie Hunter, Ministry of Education,
Minister Kevin Flynn, Ministry of Labour
December 1, 2017
December 22, 2017
On December 6, take a pause to recognize the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
November 9, 2017
The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, P.C., M.P.
Aung Sang Suu Kyi
October 24, 2017
On October 4th, Unifor asks it members and allies to stand in solidarity with Indigenous families and communities to honour the lives of missing...
The General Assembly of the United Nations designated October 1st as the International Day of Older Persons.
Unifor is unequivocally united against white supremacy, racism, and bigotry in all its forms.
The International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia is an annual reminder and call to action for equity.
May 3, 2017
World Press Freedom day comes this year as journalism faces new and unprecedented threats around the world.
Equal Pay Day marks how many additional days women must work to earn what men earned in the previous year. This year, Equal Pay Day is being marked on...
On April 28, the National Day or Mourning, let us pause to pay tribute to all workers hurt or killed on the job through injury or employment-related illness...
Dear Honourable Ministers:
On March 8, Unifor marks International Women's Day with the theme...
Throughout the month of February we are given the occasion to thoughtfully acknowledge Black History Month.
Recognizing International Human Rights Day
More than 25 years ago 14 women were murdered at Montreal’s École Polytechnique.
On the 20th Anniversary of National Aboriginal Day we celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding achievements of Indigenous peoples.
Canada has been accepting refugees for over 200 years, but its refugee policies have not always reflected the generous, humanitarian values that inform the...
Unifor salutes the exceptional courage and compassion of all paramedics on occasion of Paramedic Services Week, being recognized from May 22 to May 28, 2016...
On May 19th, 2016 Unifor salutes the many thousands of Unifor members employed as Personal Support Workers (PSWs) on occasion of the Ontario celebrations...
Unifor calls on everyone to join in recognizing May 17th as the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.
Unifor salutes all nurses during National Nursing Week 2016 — recognized from May 9 to 15 in 2016 across Canada.
As flames continue to engulf the city, Unifor’s thoughts are with the people of Fort McMurray during these difficult days.
May Day is a day to celebrate the achievements that working people and their unions have won through resistance and solidarity: democratic rights, human...
On Thursday April 28, we mark the National Day of Mourning as we stop to remember all those lost to workplace injury or illness and honour the memory of our...
Creating and preserving a safe harassment-free environment at all union activities, events and meetings is our collective responsibility, members, elected...
On March 21st, people around the world celebrate the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
International Women’s Day is an event with its roots in the labour movement.
Pink Shirt Day began in Berwick, Nova Scotia, Canada in 2007 when David Shepherd, Travis Price and a group of students decided to defend a kid who was...
Throughout the month of February, Unifor will join with others to commemorate and celebrate the contributions of black people and those of African and...
Unifor is appalled by the misogyny and hateful events, known as Return of Kings, that were being organized by Roosh V’s online hate group for February 6.
This year marks the hundredth anniversary of the first province, Manitoba, in Canada to grant women the right to vote and be elected.
We write to you today pledging Unifor’s full support to the members of the Halifax Typographical Union in your contract talks with the Chronicle Herald.
On December 1, World AIDS Day, unions around the world are taking action and working towards zero – zero discrimination, zero new infections and zero AIDS-...
On December 6, 2015, Unifor recognizes the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
The first Transgender Day of Remembrance resulted from the vicious murder of a transgendered person on November 28, 1998.
Around the world over a billion people are living with disabilities and far too many of them face economic, political and social exclusion.
David V. Pathe
President and Chief Executive Officer
Sherritt International Corporation
1133 Yonge Street Toronto, Ontario M4T 2Y7
The General Assembly of the United Nations designated October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons.
Unifor, the union for journalists in Canada, expresses its deepest condolences and solidarity at the news of two journalists shot and killed on the job this...
Paramedics, as emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, bring tremendous dedication, skill and commitment to their jobs as first responders.
In celebration of Personal Support Worker Day on May 19th, 2015 Unifor salutes the contributions of the thousands of Unifor members employed as...
Unifor calls on everyone to join us in recognizing May 17th as the International day against Homophobia and Transphobia.
Alan Borovoy, a determined and generous advocate for civil liberties in Canada, made Canada a more just place.
Nursing Week is celebrated each year throughout Canada and the world during the week of Florence Nightingale's birthday on May 12.
This is turning out to be another deadly year for journalists around the world.
On March 8th, we will mark International Women’s Day – an event with its roots in the labour movement.
The CBC is a vital organization, with dedicated journalists whose work has informed this country’s most important debates and kept Canadians informed on the...
Unifor joins with people of African heritage in the celebration of Black History Month. Every February communities across the country hold festivals and...
Today, Canadians woke up to the news of the terrifying attack on the Paris offices of the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, which killed 12 people...
Human Rights Day commemorates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on...
Working people understand that we do not live in a fair society and that this lack of fairness extends into our workplaces.
On December 6, 2014, Unifor recognizes the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. We remember all women who have died as a...
November 20 is the Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day born out of the need to recognize, mourn and take action on violence against trans people.
On December 1, World AIDS Day, unions around the world taking action – recognizing HIV/AIDS as a workplace issue, a union issue and a social justice.
Unifor would like to thank outgoing British Columbia Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair for his years of service to the working people of BC.
The General Assembly of the United Nations designated October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons.
For months, Unifor, CUPE, NSGEU and NSNU have been working together to find a way to address your government’s concerns.
Politics for workers: Unifor's political project
The first national Unifor women’s conference is calling for a federal action plan on the issue of violence against women, including an inquiry into the...
The wretched and horrific violence in the Middle East, including the blanket and abhorrent killing of innocents, the vast majority of them Gazan civilians,...
Unifor, which represents journalists across Canada, is shocked at the harsh sentences handed down in Egypt to three Al Jazeera journalists – including one...
Unifor joins with Aboriginal peoples across the country in recognizing June 21st, Aboriginal Peoples Day - the summer solstice that has for...
Unifor BC, Prairies, Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Councils express support for the concept of a national energy and environmental strategy for Canada,...
May 17th is the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia.
Nursing Week is celebrated each year throughout Canada and the world during the week of Florence Nightingale's birthday on May 12.
A functioning democracy relies on voters who are informed about the issues – whether these are things we want to hear about, or the inconvenient truths we...
Unifor Statement on Racial Justice
Our union will stand in solidarity and will continue to support the people of Ukraine in their fight to create a constructive democratic dialogue between...
On International Women’s Day, Unifor’s 86,000 women are standing up for our rights – the right to have a union, the right to equal pay, reproductive rights...
"The hard work and courage of the Volkswagen workers to bring a union to their plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, has been an inspiration to us in Canada,"...
Unifor National President Jerry Dias extends an invite to Tim Hudak Leader, Progressive Conservative Party to debate Hudaks proposed labour law changes for...
December 6 is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women.
On November 20, workplaces and communities across Canada and around the world will take the time to observe Transgender Day of Remembrance and commemorate...
The advent of new hydraulic fracturing (or “fracking”) technologies has dramatically altered the economic and environmental effects of the petroleum...