As the final days of 2025 draw to a close, Unifor National President Lana Payne is taking stock of a year marked by significant hurdles for workers across Canada, while simultaneously steeling the country's largest private-sector union for the battles that lie ahead.
A Year of Resilience and Struggle for Canadian Workers
In a year-end reflection, Payne acknowledged that 2025 has been a period of intense pressure for the labour movement. The union, representing hundreds of thousands of workers in sectors ranging from automotive and aerospace to media and healthcare, has navigated a complex landscape defined by economic uncertainty, rapid technological change, and ongoing negotiations in key industries. Payne emphasized that protecting jobs and securing fair wages remained the cornerstone of Unifor's efforts throughout the year, even as external forces created a challenging environment for collective bargaining.
Preparing the Union for an Uncertain Future
Looking forward, the Unifor leader is not anticipating a respite. Payne is actively preparing her membership and the union's structure for a new wave of challenges. These include the accelerating transition to a green economy, which threatens to disrupt traditional manufacturing jobs, and the pervasive integration of artificial intelligence in the workplace. Payne's strategy involves a dual focus on aggressive bargaining at the table and strategic advocacy for federal and provincial policies that support workers through these transitions. She argues that a just transition must be exactly that—just—ensuring that workers are not left behind as industries evolve.
Solidarity and Organizing as Key Tools
Beyond policy, Payne is banking on the power of solidarity and renewed organizing drives to build Unifor's strength. She points to the need for the labour movement to adapt its messaging and tactics to resonate with a new generation of workers in gig economy roles and emerging tech sectors. The core mission, however, remains unchanged: to improve the lives of working people and build economic power from the ground up. As she turns the page on 2025, Lana Payne's message is one of cautious resolve, acknowledging the difficulties of the past year while mobilizing her union to face the future head-on.
