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The creation of Unifor, coinciding with Labour Day in North America is further sign that unions in Canada are on the front foot and committing to breaking through for union growth. Declining rates of unionisation have now stabilised and unions are fighting back to recruit and protect workers in precarious employment.

The newly elected president of Unifor, Jerry Dias said he plans to use Unifor's size to influence change labour relations in Canada.

In his inaugural speech Dias said, “Unifor is here because it’s time to stop playing defence and it’s time we started to play offence. It’s time to stop reacting and it’s time to start setting the agenda.”

”The Conservative government has decided to challenge our democratic right to organize and collect dues. They are singling out unions. They’re attacking our finances. They’re attacking our ability to represent our members," said Dias.

UNI Global Union General Secretary Philip Jennings said, “We welcome Unifor and say congratulations to the working people of Canada. They know that joining a union is the only way to protect their rights from the wave of precarious low paid work which is sweeping through the world. Unions are more relevant than ever, especially for the young people trapped in low paid and part-time employment with the spectre of unemployment ever present. Unifor is big and powerful and its number will grow as it begins a new ambitious recruitment drive. Unions are fighting back, nationally, regionally and globally.”

Unifor intends to enrol workers in precarious, temporary, contract, self-employed and freelance positions,” and will also reach out to the unemployed.

Watch video of the Unifor founding congress here: