Business
Unifor Members at High Liner Foods Ratify New Contract With 80% Support
By News Desk ·
Key takeaways
- About 260 Unifor members at High Liner Foods in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia ratified a new collective agreement with 80% support.
- The three-year deal sets general wage increases of 3.5% in the first year and 3% in each of the next two years.
- Members begin receiving the negotiated wage increase on November 22, while the previous agreement stays in effect until December 31, 2026.
About 260 Unifor members at High Liner Foods in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, ratified a new collective agreement with 80% support, the union said in a Newswire release on November 10, 2026. The three-year deal sets general wage increases of 3.5% in the first year and 3% in the second and third years.
What the High Liner Foods Deal Covers
The agreement also raises premiums and safety boot allowances, increases paid sick days to four and adds language supporting union committees. Members secured improvements to compensation for bargaining committee members while negotiating with the employer, which the release describes as long sought.
"This agreement delivers meaningful improvements for workers at High Liner Foods, recognizing the value of their work and strengthening important protections and benefits," said Jennifer Murray, Unifor Atlantic Regional Director. Amanda Wentzell, Unit Chair and Unifor Local 1944 Vice-President, said members "stood together throughout the bargaining process."
High Liner Foods reported higher revenue and adjusted EBITDA for the first half of 2026 on higher sales volumes and new product launches, alongside lower net income and gross profit, SeafoodSource reported on August 17, 2026.
Unifor's Recent Bargaining Record
According to akta.pro company records, Unifor ratified a four-year collective agreement with Air Canada in June 2026 covering about 6,000 customer service workers, with 21% compounded wage increases through February 28, 2030. The same records show the union reached its first collective agreement with Walmart Canada for warehouse workers at the Mississauga, Ontario distribution center, including pay increases and a lump-sum settlement for unfair labor practice allegations. Unifor represents approximately 320,000 members across 696 local unions and 29 sectors, according to the same records.
Earlier Unifor Settlements This Fall
On November 7, 2026, Autobus Venise bus drivers ratified a principle agreement at 74%, ending a strike that began October 22, Lelezard reported. That three-year contract includes 3% annual raises, full retroactive pay, a $700 signing bonus and an extra day off, with school transport resuming November 9. On November 3, 2026, Unifor said it would launch a new organizing initiative with Amazon workers in the Greater Toronto Area on November 4 at the Chinese Cultural Centre in Scarborough, Newswire reported.
When the High Liner Wage Increase Starts
Members begin receiving the negotiated wage increase on November 22, 2026. The previous collective agreement remains in effect until December 31, 2026.