The labor union representing employees at General Motors has announced a significant majority in favor of approving new agreements with the car manufacturer. Unifor and GM reached a tentative deal on August 22 for over 4,600 autoworkers in Ontario, with union members voting on the agreements over the weekend.
According to a statement released by the union on Sunday, the newly ratified three-year collective contracts will raise wages for full-rate production workers to $50.20 per hour and skilled trades employees to $62.71 per hour. In Oshawa, St. Catharines, and Woodstock, members voted 80.5% in favor, while Ingersoll workers showed a 96.5% approval rate.
Negotiations between Unifor and GM commenced earlier this month following an agreement with Ford. Unifor highlighted that the wage increases in the GM contracts align with the three-percent annual raises secured with Ford. Unifor National President Lana Payne emphasized that the agreements secure over $1 billion in investments for GM facilities in Canada.
GM Canada President and Managing Director, Jack Uppal, expressed in a statement that the ratification supports employees, enhances manufacturing operations, and lays a solid foundation for GM’s future in Canada. Despite challenges, including idled production at the CAMI Assembly Plant in Ingersoll, Unifor continues to advocate for production restoration and the designation of the plant for potential Canadian Armed Forces defense work.
The agreements include provisions for a cost-of-living allowance renewal, a $10,000 productivity and quality bonus, and a $2,000 December bonus for eligible members. Trevor Longpre, Unifor’s General Motors bargaining chairperson, stressed the progress made in securing stable auto jobs and a stronger Canadian presence, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to bring production back to CAMI.
Amidst a backdrop of trade tensions, Canada’s auto industry faces challenges due to U.S. tariffs on vehicles. The fate of Canadian auto plants has become a focal point in U.S.-Canada trade negotiations, with unresolved issues impacting the sector. U.S. automakers hoped for relief from tariffs affecting vehicle and parts shipments across borders. Approximately 17% of GM’s Chevrolet Silverado pickup-truck production occurs in Canada, according to Barclays research.
