One Union, One Fight - CAN-AM 2026 Brings ATU Together in Windsor
Transit workers from both sides of the border packed into Windsor, Ontario, for CAN-AM 2026, ATU’s cross-border conference bringing together members from the U.S. and Canada for a week of solidarity, strategy, and celebration. International President John Costa welcomed members at the opening reception, kicking off a week focused on one message. The fight for transit workers doesn’t stop at the border.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
This year, members across five Locals have gone on strike or authorized one. New contracts have landed from Texas to Alberta to Ontario. Hundreds of new members have joined the ATU family, from school bus workers in Hamilton to airport shuttle drivers in Kenner, Louisiana, to paratransit workers in Calgary, Alberta. Our Union’s political work is paying off, too. Chicago Locals helped secure $1.5 billion in transit funding, the BUILD America 250 Act passed the U.S. House, and Bill C-14 expanded legal protections for transit workers across Canada.
“The issues we face, whether it’s safety, fair wages, or working conditions, don’t stop at the border,” said Costa. “In fact, I don’t believe in borders. These are universal challenges. They require a united front and collaborative solutions. That’s why we’re here today. That’s what the CAN-AM has always been about. One union, one fight!”
Canada Day
The conference carried through the holiday, with members marking Canada Day together in Windsor. “What better way to celebrate than right here in Canada surrounded by ATU members, united by the same fight for safe transit, fair wages, and dignity on the job,” Costa said. “Today we celebrate Canada and the workers who keep it moving.”
A Fight Without Borders
From picket lines to bargaining tables to the halls of government, ATU members showed up this year. CAN-AM 2026 was a reminder that whether the fight is happening in Texas or Ontario, Louisiana or Alberta, it’s the same fight with the same union standing behind it.