Unifor is Canada’s largest private sector union, representing over 320,000 members across the country in nearly every major industry, including manufacturing, media, telecommunications, health care, transportation, retail, and natural resources. Its members range from factory workers and airline employees to journalists and energy sector professionals, making Unifor a truly diverse and inclusive organization.

With a modern approach to unionism, Unifor embraces new tools, fosters member engagement, and continuously evolves to meet the changing demands of the 21st-century workforce. The union recognizes that the world of work is shifting rapidly due to technological advancements, globalization, and shifts in economic policy. As a result, Unifor is committed to protecting workers’ rights by adapting its strategies, advocating for progressive policies, and ensuring that labour laws keep pace with the realities of today’s economy. At its core, Unifor believes that every working-age Canadian has the right to a secure, well-paying job and a fair share in the country’s economic progress.

Unifor is dedicated to defending and advancing the economic rights of both its members and the broader workforce, including those who are unemployed, precariously employed, or seeking better opportunities. The union strives to be the strongest and most effective advocate for workers, negotiating better wages, benefits, and working conditions while ensuring that employers uphold fair labour standards. Beyond traditional collective bargaining, Unifor also champions workplace democracy, fights against discrimination and exploitation, and works to extend the benefits of unionization to non-unionized workers who seek protection and representation.

Founded on August 31, 2013, in Toronto, Unifor was born from the merger of two of Canada’s most influential labour organizations: the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada (CEP). This historic merger was a response to mounting challenges facing Canadian workers, including declining union membership, stagnating wages, and a growing divide between the wealthy and the working class. Over the decades leading up to Unifor’s formation, economic inequality had widened, and workers faced increasing job insecurity due to outsourcing, automation, and shifts in government policy that prioritized corporate interests over worker protections.

Unifor was created to confront these challenges head-on. Its broad and diverse membership allows it to be a powerful and representative voice in Canada’s economy. Unlike unions that serve only specific trades or industries, Unifor’s reach extends across multiple sectors, making it uniquely positioned to influence national policy and advocate for workers from coast to coast. Through its representative structure and innovative membership models, Unifor ensures that all voices within the organization are heard, empowering members to take an active role in shaping their workplaces and communities. At its core, Unifor is more than just a union—it is a movement built by workers, for workers, with deep roots in local communities and a vision for a fairer and more just society.

The idea for Unifor began in 2011, when CAW President Ken Lewenza and CEP President Dave Coles recognized the urgent need for labour renewal in Canada. Informal discussions soon turned into a structured dialogue, bringing together union leaders, staff, and grassroots members to explore new ways to strengthen worker representation. Over the course of 20 months, this initiative evolved into a comprehensive project focused on building a stronger, more effective, and more inclusive union. Throughout the process, members were actively engaged through regular reports, an interactive website, telephone town halls, and online surveys, ensuring that Unifor’s creation was driven by the voices of the workers it sought to represent.

Since its founding, Unifor has been a source of optimism and inspiration for the Canadian labour movement, proving that unions can adapt, grow, and remain relevant in an ever-changing economy. Through bold advocacy, strategic organizing, and a deep commitment to social and economic justice, Unifor continues to fight for fair wages, job security, and better working conditions for all Canadians. As the world of work continues to evolve, Unifor remains steadfast in its mission to secure a stronger, fairer, and more stable future for working people across the country.