Canadian Coast Guard – Union of Canadian Transportation Employees

Long Days, Short Summers in the Strait of Canso

UCTE represents the workers who operate and maintain the Canso Canal. Unlike Canada’s other canals, it is operated by the Canadian Coast Guard. Environment and background It’s another of our unique worksites. When the causeway was built (previously there was...

August 27, 2025

Canadian Coast Guard Employers Media releases and statements

Canadian Coast Guard moving to DND

This morning the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) announced that as part of their new defence and security strategy that the Canadian Coast Guard would be transferred to the authority of the Department of National Defence. This decision came as a...

June 10, 2025

Pilot Boat Crew: pitching and rolling for the safety of others

Pilotage Authorities Public safety

Pilot Boat Crew: pitching and rolling for the safety of others

UCTE represents ships’ crew and dispatchers at the Atlantic Pilotage Authority, Great Lakes Pilotage Authority, and Laurentian Pilotage Authority. Jason Coakley works for the Atlantic Pilotage Authority in Halifax. There is more to our harbours than meets the eye of...

May 6, 2025

Day of Mourning: “Remember the dead, fight like hell for the living”

Health and safety Labour movement

Day of Mourning: “Remember the dead, fight like hell for the living”

April 28 is one of the most significant days on the global labour movement’s calendar. The Labour movement created the Day of Mourning to commemorate workers killed or injured on the job. It started with American unions, then Canadian unions,...

April 28, 2025

UCTE reps on Treasury Board Bargaining Team

Bargaining demands Bargaining Updates Collective Bargaining Events PSAC Treasury Board

UCTE reps on Treasury Board Bargaining Team

The PSAC Treasury Board Bargaining Conference took place in Montreal from February 18-23, where delegates gathered to prepare for the next round of bargaining. Great discussions took place at all tables (PA, SV, TC, and EB) and each table elected...

February 25, 2025

Canadian Coast Guard Employers

Stop-the-clock Stopped at Coast Guard

In a victory for our ship’s crew members at the Canadian Coast Guard, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has lifted their stop-the-clock practice that affects term employees as of February 1, 2025. Normally, term employees are supposed to...

January 10, 2025

Campaigns Canadian Coast Guard UCTE campaigns

Lighthouse Keepers Campaign Update

Lighthouse keepers have moved off the two stations at Carmanah Point and Pachena Point as of October 25. Our campaign to stop the de-staffing of these two stations now must shift gears. The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) moved ahead to implement their...

November 27, 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...

October 24, 2024

Health and safety

Shipmate lost at sea

UCTE expresses condolences to family and friends of the crew member from CCGS Vincent Massey who was lost at sea. Also, we send our condolences to his Coast Guard co-workers, Canadian Merchant Service Guild siblings, and to our UCTE members who...

September 19, 2024

“Lucky Seven” Saved in Successful Search and Rescue Operation this Summer

Canadian Coast Guard Employers Health and safety Ports

“Lucky Seven” Saved in Successful Search and Rescue Operation this Summer

Newfoundland Fishers Returned Home by UCTE members at Canadian Coast Guard Late on Friday July 19, more than a day into the search, hope was running low. Other than some floating debris along the way, a heavy fog had prevented...

September 5, 2024