The labor union representing employees at General Motors has announced that its members have overwhelmingly voted to approve new contracts with the automaker. Unifor and GM reached tentative labor agreements on August 22 for over 4,600 autoworkers in Ontario, with union members casting their votes over the weekend.
In a statement released on Sunday, the union disclosed that the three-year collective deals include wage hikes for full-rate production workers to $50.20 per hour and skilled trades employees to $62.71 per hour. Voting results showed that members in Oshawa, St. Catharines, and Woodstock supported the agreements by 80.5%, while those in Ingersoll backed them by 96.5%.
Negotiations between Unifor and GM commenced earlier this month following Unifor’s agreement with Ford. Unifor highlighted that the wage increases align with Ford’s three-percent annual increments. Unifor National President Lana Payne emphasized that the agreements secure over $1 billion in investments for Canadian GM facilities.
GM Canada President and Managing Director Jack Uppal expressed satisfaction with the ratification, stating that it bolsters employee support, enhances manufacturing operations, and sets a solid foundation for GM’s future in Canada. Despite challenges, including the idling of production at the CAMI Assembly Plant in Ingersoll, Unifor remains committed to advocating for the plant’s reopening.
The agreements also entail a cost-of-living allowance renewal, a $10,000 productivity and quality bonus for eligible members, and a $2,000 December bonus for eligible individuals. Trevor Longpre, Unifor’s General Motors bargaining chairperson, hailed the progress made in securing stable auto jobs and strengthening the Canadian automotive industry.
Amidst a backdrop of trade tensions, Canada’s auto sector faces uncertainty due to potential U.S. tariff increases. The fate of Canadian auto plants has become a focal point in U.S.-Canada trade discussions, with unresolved issues impacting the industry’s future. U.S. automakers are hopeful for relief from tariffs that have affected vehicle and parts shipments between the two countries.