The labor union representing employees at General Motors has announced that its members have overwhelmingly voted to approve new contracts with the automaker. The agreements, reached between Unifor and GM on August 22, cover more than 4,600 autoworkers in Ontario. Following the tentative agreements, union members conducted voting over the weekend.
According to a statement released by the union on Sunday, the three-year collective contracts include wage increases for full-rate production workers to $50.20 per hour and skilled trades workers to $62.71 per hour. The voting results showed that members in Oshawa, St. Catharines, and Woodstock favored the agreements by 80.5%, while those in Ingersoll supported them by 96.5%.
Negotiations between the union and the automaker commenced earlier in the month after Unifor had reached a similar agreement with Ford. Unifor confirmed that the agreements with GM align with the three-percent annual wage hikes agreed upon with Ford.
Unifor National President Lana Payne expressed that the deals secure over $1 billion in investments for Canadian GM facilities. She emphasized the importance of GM’s investments in the Canadian workforce and facilities amid challenges faced by the domestic auto industry.
GM Canada President and Managing Director, Jack Uppal, commented that the ratification of the contracts signifies a positive outcome that supports employees, enhances manufacturing operations, and lays a robust foundation for GM’s future in Canada. The negotiations with GM occurred amidst difficulties, including production halts at the CAMI Assembly Plant in Ingersoll and the majority of workers there being on indefinite layoff.
The union stated its commitment to advocating for the resumption of production at the CAMI Assembly Plant. Furthermore, GM has designated the plant as the primary consideration for potential Canadian Armed Forces defense work if awarded to GM.
Uppal announced additional investments in Oshawa and St. Catharines facilities, totaling millions of dollars for next-generation production and manufacturing enhancements. The agreements also include a renewed cost-of-living allowance, productivity bonuses, and other benefits for eligible members.
In a closing remark, Trevor Longpre, Unifor’s General Motors bargaining chairperson, highlighted the progress made in securing stable auto jobs and reinforcing the Canadian auto industry. He emphasized the ongoing efforts to bring production back to the CAMI plant, ensuring job security for workers.
The agreements come amidst a backdrop of a trade war, with Canada’s auto sector facing challenges due to U.S. duties on vehicles. The fate of Canadian auto plants has emerged as a pivotal issue in trade negotiations between the U.S. and Canada. Discussions between the two countries have stalled over unresolved matters, including tariff reductions on specific vehicle types crucial for Canadian factories.