Canada’s largest private sector union formed

Over this Labour Day weekend there’s been a lot of action for Canada’s labour movement. As Canada’s newest and largest private sector union is formed, another finally moves on from a four-month long lockout.

A convention is being held in Toronto this weekend to mark the founding of Canada’s new mega-union called Unifor, after the Canadian Auto Workers Union and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada merged.

Jerry Dias is the president of Unifor. He says, “We will put together an organization that is sick and tired of playing defence, that is really looking forward to start playing offence.”

As Unifor prepares to turn over a new leaf for Canada’s labour movement, employees at U.S. Steel’s Lake Erie works are getting ready to do the same. After four months of being locked out, they accepted a new five-year collective agreement with the company.

57 per cent voted in favour of the package, despite union reps recommending they strike it down.