Ontario PCs net first-ever Unifor endorsement

Unifor Local 1285, representing auto workers in Brampton, say the Ford Conservatives will stick up for Ontario's auto workers

Bryan Passifiume
Published Feb 01, 2025  •  Last updated Feb 01, 2025  •  2 minute read
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Ontario PC Leader Doug Ford is shown near the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor on where he launched his re-election campaign Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025.
Ontario PC Leader Doug Ford is shown near the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor on where he launched his re-election campaign Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. Photo by DAN JANISSE /Postmedia

OTTAWA – The Ontario PCs have scored a rare endorsement.

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Unifor Local 1285 – representing workers from various industries in Brampton, including city automotive workers – issued an endorsement of Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservatives on Saturday, the first time a Unifor local has publicly declared support for the party.

“With the expansion of Ontario’s electric vehicle industry and investments in the Stellantis Brampton Assembly plant and the Windsor Assembly plant, we are protecting good-paying jobs and securing the future for all our members and workers across the province,” said Vito Beato, president of the local representing over 8,000 workers.

“Along with the continued support and investment to our action centre and our members at local 1285, Doug Ford and his government have shown strong dedication to protecting our auto industry in Ontario, workers and their families.”

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In a statement, Ontario PC Leader Doug Ford said he’s honoured to have the local’s support.

“With the support of Ontario workers and a strong, stable mandate for the next four years, our Ontario PC team will continue to invest in the skilled trades and create new jobs and opportunities for workers here in Brampton and across the province,” he said. 

Northumberland-Peterborough South PC Candidate David Piccini, who served as labour minister in the Ford government, told the Toronto Sun that Local 1285’s endorsement is a sign the party’s message is resonating with unions.

“We’re growing our labour coalition in a big way,” he said.

“The NDP have abandoned workers in these automotive towns, they’re focused on issues that just aren’t core to the fundamental concerns of workers, which os affordability, and ultimately their jobs and job protection – and that’s where Premier Ford squarely is, when you look at the global threat that Donald Trump’s tariffs pose.”

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Samia Hashi, Unifor’s Ontario regional director, told the Sun the union as a whole routinely doesn’t endorse any one party in elections, but instead will remain focused on protecting workers.
“Trump’s tariffs have just thrown our economy into a crisis, putting millions of workers’ livelihoods at risk,” she said. “We will engage with all parties to push for commitments that will protect Canadian jobs in the face of punishing tariffs, defend our economy, and deliver much needed improvements to health care, child care, and other key social services.”

Other unions and locals who’ve tossed their support behind the PCs include the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA,) the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers (IBB.)

bpassifiume@postmedia.com
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