Trump’s Trade War: A Statement From Your Union Leadership… Special Union Meeting Coming Soon
Since the talk of tariffs began, your union has been watching the uncertainty surrounding the Trump administration’s trade war on Canada. We have been carefully considering the impact of this unusual situation on our members.
For those who are not familiar with the word, a tariff is a tax, duty, or fee to be paid on certain items coming into a country. Tariffs are imposed by countries on each other.
US President Donald Trump is pursuing a policy that includes tariffs on goods moving between Canada and the US. However the size and nature of the tariffs seem to be a constantly moving target.
This additional cost to Canadian goods could obviously have a major impact on Canadian businesses given how many goods are traded between Canada and the United States
Nobody can predict exactly how today’s chaotic economic environment will unfold. That said, we can be proactive about doing everything possible to identify the dangers and to protect our members’ rights and livelihoods.
Economists have been known to say that there are no winners in a trade war. Working people on both sides of the border will feel the effects of the Trump White House’s misguided behaviour. Likewise, workplaces on both sides of the border will feel the impact to varying degrees.
President Thomas Hesse and Secretary Treasurer Richelle Stewart are directly monitoring the economic trends that will impact inflation, your job security, and your union’s negotiations with employers.
Whether you work in a grocery store, food processing plant, warehouse, hospitality venue, or any of the other workplaces where our members make a living, our commitment to looking out for your best interests has never been stronger.
We’re gearing up to have tough conversations with employers and companies in Alberta that are likely to feel the crunch from tariffs. And we’re adapting our bargaining approach to account for the effects of Trump’s dangerous trade war.
In the meantime, we continue to work with our partners in Alberta’s Common Front of labour solidarity, including the Alberta Federation of Labour, and in concert with UFCW’s National and International offices to build the strategies and the solidarity we need to support our members.
A shocking forty percent of Canadians are currently living in fear of job loss due to the trade war and related uncertainties. It’s clear that any initiatives aimed at helping businesses through economic hardship need to be tied to job protections for their employees.
UFCW Local 401 stands shoulder to shoulder with labour movement leaders and organizers to send this message clearly to all levels of government in Canada.
“Your Union has long been sounding the alarm about an affordability crisis in Alberta for years now,” says President Thomas Hesse. “The risks and stresses associated with that crisis will almost certainly be worsened by Trump’s trade war and the possibility of driving prices even further higher. We have already been tackling these issues head-on, and we will continue those efforts while exploring new avenues to protect our members’ jobs and make your life more affordable.”
“I know we can overcome these challenges,” adds Secretary Treasurer Richelle Stewart. “At Local 401, we are not afraid to confront big issues. We have a track record of doing so and achieving meaningful victories for our members. In these unprecedented times, our strength lies, as it always has, in our unity and our commitment to standing together to fight for what is right.”
Your union is vigilant about any changes in workplaces that might violate your collective agreements. Contact us immediately if you see any signs of this emerging at your workplace. Your Union Labour Relations Officer will take action to make sure your rights are upheld.
Union members can join fellow Canadians fighting back against Trump’s tariffs by pledging to buy union-made, Canadian products. You can find a list of unionized goods and services on our website.
We Want to Hear From You!
This important discussion is not a one-way street. This is your Union, and we want to hear from members about how you think we should respond to the current environment.
For that reason, we’re holding a General Membership Meeting and Telephone Town Hall in Brooks, AB, on Wednesday, April 16th, 2025, at 7:00 pm to talk to members and get the broadest range of perspectives we can on these issues.
Our meeting will feature insight from Local 401 friend and well-known Canadian economist Jim Stanford who has been on the frontline of combatting US economic aggressions as soon as they emerged.
Stay tuned for more details about this important meeting. We hope you’ll join us via live video stream or telephone!
In Solidarity,
Thomas Hesse, President
Richelle Stewart, Secretary Treasurer
UFCW Local 401
Posted on: March 24,2025