Unifor and General Motors have initiated discussions for a new labor agreement, commencing negotiations at a bargaining table in downtown Toronto. The union, representing over 4,600 members across various Ontario GM facilities, including the Oshawa assembly plant and CAMI facility in Ingersoll, as well as operations in St. Catharines and Woodstock, began talks with GM Canada’s President and Managing Director, Jack Uppal, and Unifor’s national president, Lana Payne, coming together for the discussions.
Chairs were set in a conference room, with officials seated at opposite ends, Payne positioned in the middle, and Uppal directly across. Payne expressed confidence in the negotiations, citing the established foundation from the recent agreement with Ford, aiming for substantive discussions on GM’s operations and the future of auto jobs in Canada. The union has set a deadline of August 21 to achieve a preliminary agreement with GM.
Uppal emphasized the company’s commitment to the bargaining process and acknowledged the essential role of employees in GM Canada’s success. He highlighted recent investments amounting to $3.3 billion in Canadian manufacturing plants since 2020, ensuring the creation of next-generation products and securing numerous Canadian jobs for the foreseeable future.
Previously, Unifor members approved a new three-year contract with Ford, featuring annual pay raises and a no-closure agreement, effective September 21. The agreement also included program commitments at all Ford facilities, such as the addition of a third shift at the engine plant in Essex, Ontario by 2029.
In line with pattern bargaining principles, Unifor and Ford introduced a program to facilitate the path to full employment for laid-off workers from Ford’s Oakville assembly plant by July 2027. The successful negotiations with Ford set a precedent for future discussions with other companies in the automotive sector.
Payne acknowledged the differences between negotiations with Ford and upcoming talks with General Motors and Stellantis, particularly considering the challenges faced by GM’s Ingersoll assembly plant and Stellantis’ Brampton assembly plant, where operations are currently suspended, leading to significant worker layoffs. Despite these challenges, Unifor remains committed to advocating for the Canadian auto industry amid external pressures such as U.S. tariffs, trade uncertainties, and the emergence of Chinese electric vehicles in the market.