Unlike in the U.S., strike action by Canadian auto workers had been avoided since negotiations with North American automakers began. When the Unifor union reached agreement with Ford last month to lay the groundwork for negotiations with GM and Stellantis, hopes were high.
However, negotiations with GM have stalled, leading to a first strike action by the Unifor union in the last few hours.
Unifor president Lana Payne said in a statement today that GM is refusing to accept the pattern agreement the union negotiated with Ford Canada. “The company knows our members will never let GM break our pattern – not today – not ever,” she said.
Lana Payne Photo: UniforShe added that “The company continues to fall short on our pension demands, income supports for retired workers, and meaningful steps to transition temporary workers into permanent, full-time jobs.”
The union says members will remain on strike until the pattern agreement, as set out in the collective agreement ratified with Ford, is agreed to. Workers have been without a contract since September 18.
The strike involves some 4,280 auto workers from Unifor Locals 222, 199 and 636. It affects the Oshawa assembly complex, the St. Catharines powertrain plant and the Woodstock parts distribution center.
Unifor calls strike at three General Motors plants in Canada Photo: UniforMembers of Unifor Local 88 at the CAMI assembly plant in Ingersoll, Ontario, are covered by a separate collective agreement and will continue to operate.
General Motors says it remains committed to continuing to work with Unifor to reach an agreement. The company acknowledges that while progress has been made on several key issues, it is disappointed it has been unable to reach agreement on a new collective agreement with Unifor.
Unifor's agreement with Ford last month included wage increases, pension and benefit improvements, and special transition measures for workers at Ford's Oakville, Ontario assembly plant. It also provided for the addition of two new paid holidays.
If the dispute continues, there will be major disruptions to production and inventories of GM vehicles, including pickup trucks manufactured in Oshawa.
Keyword: Canadian GM Workers at Three Plants Are Now on Strike