As a tough year wraps, Unifor’s Lana Payne prepares for more challenges ahead

Unifor National President Lana Payne poses for a photo in Toronto, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jessica Lee

TORONTO — The head of Canada’s largest private-sector union says she’s glad to be putting this year behind her, but next year will present a whole new set of daunting challenges.

Unifor national president Lana Payne says trade uncertainty will loom over contract talks set for close to a third of its 320,000 members, including bargaining with the Detroit Three automakers.

Payne says it’s going to be a very difficult year, but that both the labour movement and Canada as a whole need to stand firm and not take bad deals.

She says she’s disgusted by the way governments at both the provincial and federal level have taken anti-union actions this year, at a time when working people need their voices more than ever.

And though the economy as a whole has fared better than many expected this year, she said that beneath the surface there are many who are experiencing very difficult times, especially in the industrial sectors.

But she says the U.S. economy is also showing signs of strain after a year of uncertainty, so there’s potential to push for better terms if Canada approaches the year with resolve.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 19, 2025.

Ian Bickis, The Canadian Press