Labour history – Union of Canadian Transportation Employees

World Book Day: read our union’s history

United in Action profiles the UCTE from the beginning of Canadian public-service labour organizing to the release of the book in 2023.Strikes, conventions, and political milestones are featured in this history, but also an awareness of the day-to-day hard work...

April 23, 2025

The Trudeau Liberals’ Mixed Record on Worker Rights

COVID-19 Human rights Job Action Labour history Labour movement Strikes

The Trudeau Liberals’ Mixed Record on Worker Rights

A new Liberal leader probably means an imminent election – or at least that’s the plan that was announced when Trudeau prorogued parliament in January. That brings an end to the session of Parliament. What have the Trudeau years been...

March 13, 2025

Equity Human rights Labour history Labour movement Social justice

International Working Women’s Day

A friendly reminder that this is a labour-based day of observance! Most IWD messages you hear today will omit this, but the day grew out of women organizing into unions and taking to the streets to demand rights and dignity...

March 8, 2025

Human rights Labour history Social justice

Dr. King and Civil Rights in Canada

The third Monday of January is a federal holiday in the USA, commemorating the life and accomplishments of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Some Canadian municipalities recognize it too.When King came to Windsor, Ontario to give the Emancipation...

January 20, 2025

Available now: Christine Collins Memorial Scholarship

Awards and scholarships Labour history

Available now: Christine Collins Memorial Scholarship

At its 2023 National Convention, UCTE members created the Christine Collins Memorial Scholarship “to promote women’s activities, rights and leadership within the union movement.”It provides up to $5000 for post-secondary education or any activities which enhance our members’ ability to promote the women’s...

November 20, 2024

Awards and scholarships Canadian Coast Guard Labour history

UCTE Wins Labour Media Award for 2024

At its 2024 convention, the Canadian Association of Labour Media recognized UCTE with its Ed Finn Award for Best Writing for “SOS Canadian Coast Guard Search & Rescue.”The article, a history of the origins of the Canadian Coast Guard by Ken Clavette,...

October 24, 2024

Convention 2023 Labour history

United in Action

Documenting over a hundred years of organizingAt Convention 2023, UCTE released United in Action. In 150 pages it chronicles the history of UCTE – from the very origins of labour organizing within the federal civil service, through strikes and struggles up to...

October 22, 2024

QFL President warns delegates of the dangers facing unions

Job Action Labour history Labour movement

QFL President warns delegates of the dangers facing unions

Magali Picard, the President of the Quebec Federation of Labour, and former PSAC National Vice President, addressed the 19th UCTE Triennial Convention in Montreal. In her speech she rang a warning bell about American style so called “Right-to-work” laws and...

September 22, 2023

Just who Was Responsible for Sea Rescues? (Part 2)

Canadian Coast Guard Employers Labour history UCTE history

Just who Was Responsible for Sea Rescues? (Part 2)

Vancouver Fire Chief Bird told the media that the Ferngulf explosion and fire pointed to the urgent need for a coast guard. The skipper had a “perfect right to be angry,” he said. “But the city fire department can’t be...

July 21, 2023

SOS Canadian Coast Guard and Search & Rescue was needed (Part 1)

Canadian Coast Guard Health and safety Labour history Labour movement UCTE history

SOS Canadian Coast Guard and Search & Rescue was needed (Part 1)

In the early morning darkness of July 23, 1960, off British Columbia’s Sechelt coast, the fishing boat Unimak struck a tow line pulling a barge. Within no time other fishing boats responded to the Unimak listening to crew trapped in...

July 14, 2023