Workers report home visits, threats made in front of their families, and false claims about their immigration status

Montreal, September 5, 2026 — Teamsters Canada and Teamsters Local 931 strongly condemn the intimidation tactics being used by the Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN) against workers at Montréal-Trudeau Airport, in the context of a lawful campaign led by the Teamsters to address the demand to change union representation by these workers.

According to accounts gathered from several workers, CSN representatives have been showing up at employees’ homes, in front of their families, to pressure them not to vote for the Teamsters. Workers report being told that the Teamsters are “an American union” and that those holding temporary resident permits could face deportation if they supported the Teamsters.

These claims are false! Teamsters Canada is a Canadian organization, headquartered in Laval, Quebec, led by Canadians and representing over 130,000 workers from coast to coast. Immigration status has nothing whatsoever to do with which union represents them: choosing one’s union is a right protected by law for all employees, regardless of status. Using the fear of deportation against the most vulnerable workers is as false as it is despicable.

Here is the background: Airport employees who were tired of being poorly represented approached the Teamsters themselves and asked to be represented. The Teamsters then conducted a representation campaign in full compliance with the rules set out in law, during the period provided for that purpose. Faced with the prospect of losing these members, the CSN chose intimidation over persuasion.

“Knocking on workers’ doors, in front of their children, to scare them about their immigration status is disgraceful. That isn’t unionism—it’s intimidation. These workers asked us to represent them because they felt abandoned. The CSN’s reaction proves they were right.” — Pierre-André Blanchard, President, Teamsters Local 931

“When the CSN ran out of arguments, all it had left was fear. A union that offers little in the way of service and lets its members down has no option but to prey on the anxiety of the most vulnerable to hold on to them. It’s a completely outdated and unacceptable tactic, and airport workers deserve better. We invite anyone who has been subjected to these visits to come forward—we will stand with them.” — François Laporte, President, Teamsters Canada

The Teamsters are gathering accounts from affected workers and are assessing available remedies. They remind all airport employees that their vote is free, secret and protected by law, and that no organization has the right to threaten them—at home or anywhere else.

About Teamsters Canada

Teamsters Canada represents more than 130,000 members across Canada in a wide range of sectors: transportation, parcel delivery, rail, airports, health care, hospitality, construction, breweries and soft drinks, and warehousing. A Canadian organization led by Canadians, Teamsters Canada is affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which has 1.3 million members across North America.

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Marc-André Gauthier
Director of Communications, Teamsters Canada
Cell: 514-206-0492 | [email protected]