TORONTO, June 20, 2025 /CNW/ - Today, Unifor is marking a watershed moment for workers across Canada as federal anti-scab legislation officially takes effect, banning employers from using replacement workers at federally-regulated workplaces during legal strikes or lockouts. This milestone is the direct result of years of tireless advocacy and organizing work by union members and allies across the country.
"This is a historic and hard-fought victory for workers' rights in Canada," said Unifor National President Lana Payne. "Unifor and our labour allies mobilized, organized, and demanded change—and today, we see that the power of collective action can achieve real, lasting progress. No employer in this country should be able to undermine negotiations with scab labour. With this new law coming into force, the right to free and fair collective bargaining is stronger today than it was before."
Under the new law, employers in federally-regulated sectors—including transportation, banking, and telecommunications—are prohibited from using replacement workers during legal labour disputes. Violations of the law carry a penalty of up to $100,000 per day in fines. The federal legislation represents a once-in-a-generation overhaul of the Canada Labour Code and brings long-overdue balance to Canada's labour relations framework.
"This is a victory that belongs to the workers," said Unifor Quebec Director Daniel Cloutier. "Our members are all too familiar with the real harm caused by employers who abandon free collective bargaining and resort to using scab labour. Ending this practice is a necessary step towards protecting workers' fundamental rights—but the struggle continues."
Unifor's campaign for anti-scab legislation was created and led by rank-and-file members. Delegates at Unifor's 2022 Constitutional Convention and regional councils prioritized this issue, and members across the country mobilized to bring their message to Parliament and in their communities: fair negotiations require a level playing field, and that means ending the use of scab labour.
Despite the law coming into effect today, Unifor is warning of ongoing efforts by employer coalitions to circumvent and weaken the legislation.
"The fact is, employers are already probing for loopholes in this anti-scab law," said Payne. "We have to stay vigilant to defend our right to strike, protect our gains, and extend these protections to all workers in every jurisdiction."
With the majority of Canadian workers governed by provincial labour laws, Unifor continues to call on all provinces to follow the federal lead. While anti-scab laws exist in Quebec, British Columbia and Manitoba, Unifor is calling for greater enforcement and oversight of existing laws that leave workers covered by existing legislation vulnerable.
Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing 320,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.
SOURCE Unifor
For media inquiries or to arrange interviews please contact Unifor Communications Director Kathleen O'Keefe at [email protected] or by cell at (416) 896-3303.
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