Activists Make History: Meeting the Moment with Lana Payne

Perspectives: A Canadian Journal of Political Economy and Social Democracy

Unifor president Lana Payne explains what’s at stake for Canadian workers in response to Donald Trump’s tariff threats and how unions are adapting to meet the moment.

In this episode of Activists Make History, a new podcast series from Perspectives Journal, we sit down with Lana Payne, president of Unifor and a trailblazer in Canada’s labour movement. Payne shares her remarkable journey from union halls in Newfoundland to leading Canada’s largest private-sector union, fighting for workers every step of the way.

“It’s a whole new ballgame,” Payne says as she talks about the challenges workers face today.
From the fight for fair wages and safer workplaces to responding to Donald Trump’s tariff threats, Payne explains what’s at stake for Canadian workers and how unions are adapting to meet these challenges.

Tune into Activists Make History to hear Lana Payne’s reflections on a life dedicated to empowering workers, the power of solidarity, and building a more just future. This series could not have been made possible without the generous support of Unifor, Canada’s largest private sector union.