December 23, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Sisters, Brothers, and Siblings,
I want to begin by sincerely thanking each and every one of you — our leadership, activists, and members for the work you do every day on behalf of Unifor Local 2002. Your commitment, professionalism, and solidarity are the foundation of our Local, and they continue to carry us through challenging times.
I also want to address, directly and transparently, the recent communications and materials that some members have received regarding the state of the Local’s finances. Some of this information has been inaccurate and incomplete which has understandably caused concern and frustration. For that, I apologize. Our members deserve clear, factual, and respectful communication, and recent discourse has not met that standard.
Let me be absolutely clear: the finances of Unifor Local 2002 are in good standing. There is no financial crisis within our Local. All member funds are accounted for and safeguarded.
Context and History
For the sake of transparency, it is important to provide context. The finance department of Local 2002 has faced structural and administrative challenges for many years, including understaffing, high turnover, and the absence of consistent internal processes and procedures. These issues were well known and documented by successive Executive Boards and Boards of Trustees and were discussed repeatedly over time.
In 2021, the Executive Board approved the hiring of two bookkeepers to address workload and efficiency concerns. That decision was not implemented at the time. As a result, when the current term began in June 2023, they did not have a fully operational finance department, and there was a significant backlog of unfinished work — in some cases going back many months.
Why the Audits and Budgets Were Delayed
The delays in presenting finalized audits and budgets were the result of a combination of factors, including:
- Long-standing staffing shortages and administrative transitions within the finance department
- The absence of documented processes and onboarding materials for new staff
- A substantial backlog of financial work that needed to be completed and verified
- The need to correct and reconcile records to ensure accuracy and compliance before reporting
While these factors explain the delays, leadership acknowledges the communication with membership should be clearer and timelier.
What Has Been Done
Significant corrective steps have already been taken to address these challenges:
- Two bookkeepers were hired in June and November 2023 respectively to address staffing shortages and reduce the backlog
- A new external auditor was engaged to bring audits back on track
- Internal financial controls and recording practices have been strengthened to improve accuracy and accountability
- The Board of Trustees has been provided full access and unrestricted to financial records when working at the local and has worked diligently alongside the finance department to bring internal reviews up to date
Audits and Financial Oversight
Under the Unifor Constitution, (Article 15.H.1) Local 2002 is permitted to rely solely on quarterly internal audits conducted by the Board of Trustees, with reports submitted to Unifor National. If there is no Board of Trustees, then there is a requirement to hire an external Chartered Professional Accountant to perform an annual audit. Local 2002 has historically chosen to exceed these minimum requirements, by doing both.
The external audit for the 2023 financial year is now complete and ready to be presented to the Executive Board. The audit for the 2024 financial year is scheduled to be completed in early 2026.
Where Things Stand Now
- The 2023 external audit is complete and ready to be presented to the Executive Board
- The 2024 audit is underway and scheduled to be completed in early 2026
- Budget preparation is underway, including outstanding past budgets and the 2026 budget, and will be presented to the Executive Board
- The Board of Trustees has scheduled additional review dates in early 2026 to complete their remaining internal audit work
At no time have members funds been missing, misused or placed at risk in any way.
When Members Can Expect Information
Members can expect:
- Audited financial statements and updated budget information to be presented to the Executive Board and distributed to District Chairs
- Clear timelines communicated as presentations are confirmed
- Ongoing updates to ensure transparency as this work is finalized
Going Forward
To prevent a repeat of these issues, the Local will be implementing in early 2026:
- Clear financial reporting timelines with scheduled updates
- Improved internal communication protocols to ensure accurate information is shared proactively
- Accountability measures within the finance department to support timely audits and budget presentations
Unifor Local 2002 is strongest when we operate with transparency, respect, and solidarity. Disagreements can and will occur, but they must never undermine the confidence of our membership or the integrity of our union.
Thank you for your continued trust, patience, and commitment to one another and to our Local. We will move forward together; informed, united, and stronger.
In Solidarity,
Tammy Moore, President, Unifor Local 2002
Charlotte Pape, Financial Secretary Treasurer, Unifor Local 2002
Christine Bower, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Unifor Local 2002