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 agreements 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 three-year collective contracts will raise wages for full-rate production workers to $50.20 per hour and skilled trades workers to $62.71 per hour. Members in Oshawa, St. Catharines, and Woodstock supported the agreements by 80.5%, while members in Ingersoll backed them by 96.5%.
The negotiations between Unifor and GM commenced after the union’s deal with Ford, with the agreements at GM mirroring the three percent annual wage hikes secured with Ford. Unifor National President Lana Payne emphasized that the contracts entail over $1 billion in investments in Canadian GM facilities.
GM Canada President and Managing Director Jack Uppal stated that the ratification signifies a supportive outcome for employees, strengthening manufacturing operations and laying a solid foundation for GM’s future in Canada. Despite challenges, negotiations at the CAMI Assembly Plant in Ingersoll proceeded, with most members there on indefinite layoff.
The union pledged to advocate for production to resume at CAMI Assembly and secured priority consideration for Canadian Armed Forces defense work at GM if awarded. Moreover, Uppal announced additional investments at the Oshawa and St. Catharines facilities to enhance production capabilities.
Other highlights of the deal include the renewal of a cost-of-living allowance, a $10,000 productivity and quality bonus for eligible members, and a $2,000 December bonus for qualifying workers. Trevor Longpre, Unifor’s General Motors bargaining chairperson, highlighted the progress made in securing stable auto jobs and reinforcing the Canadian automotive industry.
The agreement comes against the backdrop of ongoing trade tensions, 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 impacting the industry’s future.