The labor union representing employees at General Motors has announced that its members have overwhelmingly voted to approve new agreements with the automaker. Unifor and GM reached tentative labor deals on August 22 for over 4,600 autoworkers in Ontario, with union members casting their votes over the weekend.
According to a statement released by the union on Sunday, the newly ratified three-year collective contracts will raise wages to $50.20 per hour for full-rate production workers and $62.71 per hour for skilled trades employees. In the voting outcomes, members in Oshawa, St. Catharines, and Woodstock showed an 80.5% approval rate, while Ingersoll members supported the agreements by 96.5%.
The negotiations between Unifor and GM commenced after an agreement was reached with Ford earlier in the month. Unifor highlighted that the wage increases in the GM contracts align with the three-percent annual raises agreed upon with Ford. Unifor National President Lana Payne emphasized that the contracts secure over $1 billion in investments for Canadian GM facilities, demonstrating GM’s commitment to its skilled Canadian workforce amidst challenges posed by the current auto industry landscape.
GM Canada President and Managing Director Jack Uppal expressed satisfaction with the ratification, stating that the outcome supports employees, enhances manufacturing operations, and lays a solid foundation for GM’s future in Canada. Unifor acknowledged the challenging circumstances under which the negotiations took place, particularly with production halted at the CAMI Assembly Plant in Ingersoll.
The union vowed to continue advocating for the resumption of production at CAMI Assembly and noted that GM designated it as the primary consideration plant for potential Canadian Armed Forces defense work. The agreements also encompass a range of benefits, including a cost-of-living allowance renewal, a productivity and quality bonus of $10,000 for eligible members, and a $2,000 December bonus for qualifying members.
Trevor Longpre, Unifor’s General Motors bargaining chairperson, expressed optimism about the progress made in securing stable auto jobs and strengthening the Canadian automotive sector. However, he emphasized that efforts to restore production at CAMI are ongoing, underscoring the importance of supporting Ingersoll members until full operations resume.
The agreements come against the backdrop of a trade war, with Canada’s auto sector facing challenges due to U.S. tariffs on vehicles. The fate of Canadian auto plants has become a focal point in the U.S.-Canada trade negotiations, with unresolved issues including the potential reduction of duties on critical vehicles for Canadian factories. Automakers are eager for relief from existing tariffs that have impacted production costs and supply chain logistics.
GM’s investments in Oshawa and St. Catharines signal a commitment to expanding production capabilities and strengthening the Canadian manufacturing footprint. The union and GM’s collaborative efforts aim to navigate the complexities of the current trade environment and secure a sustainable future for the Canadian auto industry.