Unifor and General Motors have struck a tentative agreement affecting more than 4,600 unionized employees across four of the automaker’s Ontario facilities. Ratification votes are set for later this month. The news lands against a backdrop of stalled trade talks between Canada and the United States, leaving no shortage of uncertainty hanging over the industry.
The deal covers 4,600 members at four GM plants in Ontario
It mirrors the pattern set with Ford earlier this summer
Ratification meetings are scheduled for August 29 and 30
Four Plants, One Deal
The agreements cover Unifor Locals 222, 88, 199 and 636, representing workers at the Oshawa Assembly Plant, the CAMI Assembly Plant in Ingersoll, the St. Catharines engine plant, and the Woodstock Parts Distribution Centre.
Unifor’s GM bargaining committee gave the deal unanimous backing on August 22.
National president Lana Payne said the committee pushed hard to secure meaningful wage and benefit gains during one of the toughest stretches the sector has faced in recent memory.
Following Ford’s Lead
Talks with GM kicked off on August 10, not long after workers ratified a new contract with Ford that included 3 percent annual wage increases, $10,000 signing bonuses, and a commitment north of $1 billion to keep production running in Canada.
Trevor Longpre, who chaired the GM bargaining committee, says the agreement holds the line set by the Ford pattern.
Assuming members ratify the deal, Unifor will turn its attention to Stellantis next.
Whether the ongoing trade impasse between the two countries throws a wrench into things down the road remains to be seen.
