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Unifor scholarships – apply now!

2026 Eric John Memorial Bursary

The Eric John Memorial Bursary was established in memory of Brother Eric John (1923-2009), who passed away on December 5, 2009. Eric dedicated his working life to making the world a better place in every way he could. 

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Beginning in 1954, he held many elected positions in the UAW and CAW. The most recent position he held was as Vice-Chairperson of the CAW National Retired Workers Advisory Executive. He was actively involved in co-op housing developments and consistently advocated for pensions through government lobbying. Eric was employed by the Ford Motor Company for 32 years, beginning his career as a Tool and Die Maker.

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The Unifor Skilled Trades Council is offering three (3) Eric John Memorial Bursaries, each valued at $2,000. These bursaries are awarded to the sons and daughters of Unifor Skilled Trades Council members in good standing who are entering their first year of post-secondary education (university, community college, technological institute, teachers’ college, nursing school, etc.).

Submissions should include:

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  • A completed official application form 

  • A letter of recommendation from a teacher, principal or 
    community activist

  • A transcript or record of marks

 

Documents indicating acceptance at one of the institutions described above and proof of enrollment must be submitted before the bursary can be awarded.

Submit your completed application by June 5, 2026, by mail or email.

 

By mail:
Unifor Skilled Trades Council

Attn: Jenny Wong and Selection Committee 
115 Gordon Baker Road, Toronto, ON M2H 0A8 

 

By email: 
Trades@unifor.org

Individuals with disabilities, women, persons of colour, and Aboriginal Canadians are especially encouraged to apply. Incomplete applications willnot be considered.

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Unifor National Union & Regional Council Scholarships

Nominations are now open for the annual Unifor Bud Jimmerfield Award.

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This is Unifor’s longest-running award and is one way the union honours Bud’s work and celebrates those who continue his remarkable legacy of improving working conditions through health, safety and workers’ compensation activism.

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Brother Jimmerfield was an activist, not just at his workplace but at other workplaces and in communities from coast to coast. Bud worked as a machinist for 31 years, exposed every working day to cancer causing metalworking fluids at an auto parts plant in Amherstburg, Ontario. He contracted esophageal cancer in 1996 and died 18 months later at age 49 and left behind his eight children and wife, Diane.

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Before he died, Bud charged union activists with an important responsibility, “don't mourn my death; fight for the living and do your best to try to prevent future occupational diseases, death, and injuries from occurring.”

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What does it take to be recognized?

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Award nominees must demonstrate strong leadership, community activism through their proven commitment to health, safety, environmental or workers’ compensation-related issues, with a focus on the prevention of injuries, work-related fatalities and/or occupational diseases. Nominees must be active Unifor members and be nominated by their local union leadership. 

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Read about the 2025 Bud Jimmerfield Award recipient, Rob Giroux, previous recipients and their work.

How to nominate a member

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If you know a determined health and safety, environment or workers' compensation activist in your local who is making a difference, it is easy to put their name forward. 

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  • Download the nomination form.

  • Fill in their name and workplace information.

  • Explain on the form and, if needed, provide additional documents why this member should be the Unifor Bud Jimmerfield Award recipient for 2026.

  • Email the completed form no later than Sunday, May 31, 2026 to the Unifor Health, Safety, and Environment Department at healthandsafety@unifor.org for consideration.

 

The award recipient will be contacted by the National Union and will be recognized on stage at the 2026 Canadian Council in Ottawa (August 28-30).

 

We look forward to honouring Bud’s legacy and celebrating our union’s unending commitment to workplace health and safety.

 

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