Image from “ITUC Corporate Underminers of Democracy 2025” report.
Northrop Grumman is a sponsor of the CANSEC “defence, security & emerging technology event” taking place at the EY Centre in Ottawa this coming Wednesday May 27 and Thursday May 28, 2026.
The US-based transnational corporation is the world’s sixth largest weapons manufacturer. In 2025, it was the third most profitable weapons company with USD $37.85 billion in arms revenue.
In September 2025, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) noted in their report 2025 Corporate Underminers of Democracy: “This year’s list focuses on the rising threat to democracy posed by major and emerging players in the rapid militarisation of the global economy.”
The ITUC list specifies seven corporations, including Northrop Grumman.
The report states: “Northrop is a serial violator of consumer and labour protections. It has been penalised US$779m in the US for violations of false claims, benefit plan administration, export control, hazardous waste, and wage and hour laws.”
“The company also has the lowest unionisation rate among major US arms manufacturers (just 4 per cent). In the late 1990s and early 2000s, one in every five Northrop workers was a union member. By 2022, that ratio had collapsed to one in every 25, outpacing declines elsewhere in the industry.”
And it comments: “This was no accident. Industry researchers have described it as ‘a conscious strategy of the big weapons-making firms to outsource work to non-union subcontractors and states with anti-union ‘right to work’ laws.’ The result has been devastating for workplace democracy and workers’ ability to collectively negotiate fair wages and benefits. It also is impacting democracy on a wider scale, with researchers observing that this industry-wide relocation strategy ‘created a geopolitical shift that, in turn, tightened military spending’s control over the economy.’”
ITUC: Weapons industry increasingly dictate state priorities
ITUC, along with Greenpeace, 350.org, the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom and others, have also signed a joint statement that notes: “The weapons industry, alongside a growing network of arms traders and military contractors, increasingly dictates state priorities. As militarism takes centre stage, resources that could address the urgent challenges of climate change, poverty, and inequality are diverted into weapons systems, expanding arms races, and dangerous geopolitical standoffs.”
It adds: “The human cost of militarism and unchecked wealth concentration is almost unimaginable. Military conflicts uproot millions, with over 100 million people worldwide currently displaced due to conflict or persecution.”
“In solidarity with people affected by wars”
The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) is affiliated with the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).
Just prior to the most recent G7 summit in June 2025, the CLC signed a Labour 7 statement that highlights: “Trade unions of the Labour 7 stand in solidarity with people affected by wars on all continents, fighting for their freedoms, for social justice, for democracy, for their rights and those of future generations.”
That statement adds: “The resources have been found to significantly increase military spending, when for more than a decade, public services have been starved of resources under wrongheaded fiscal consolidation and austerity policies.”
CLC convention, May 11-15
The CLC will be holding its 31st Constitutional Convention from Monday, May 11 to Friday, May 15, 2026, in Winnipeg.
Just last month, CLC president Bea Bruske commented: “In times of war and uncertainty, the labour movement’s role is clear: to stand with working people, to defend international solidarity, and to insist that peace, justice, and democracy cannot be built through violence.”
CANSEC, May 27-28
Social movements, faith communities, organizations and individuals are now preparing to protest the CANSEC arms show in Ottawa.
The Canadian Friends Service Committee (CFSC) has noted: “CFSC is planning to be present at CANSEC this year… We’re planning a silent vigil/Meeting for Worship on the afternoon of the first day of CANSEC to be a physical presence of unity and nonviolence—showing that strength comes through peace.”
For updates on the mass protest being planned for May 28, click here.
Additional reading: PBI-Canada notes Unifor resolution in support of Palestinian workers and their call for an arms embargo on Israel (August 27, 2025).
