The labor union representing employees at General Motors has announced that its members have overwhelmingly voted in favor of approving 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.
According to a statement released by the union on Sunday, the three-year collective agreements include wage increases, raising the pay for full-rate production workers to $50.20 per hour and skilled trades workers to $62.71 per hour. In Oshawa, St. Catharines, and Woodstock, 80.5% of members voted in favor, while in Ingersoll, the approval rate was 96.5%.
Negotiations between Unifor and GM commenced after Unifor reached a deal with Ford. The agreements with GM are said to mirror the three-percent annual wage hikes agreed upon with Ford. Unifor National President Lana Payne highlighted that the agreements entail more than $1 billion in investments in Canadian GM facilities.
GM Canada President and Managing Director Jack Uppal expressed that the ratification signifies a positive outcome that supports employees, enhances manufacturing operations, and lays a strong foundation for GM’s future in Canada. Despite challenges, including the idling of production at the CAMI Assembly Plant in Ingersoll, Unifor stated its commitment to advocating for the resumption of production at the plant.
Additional investments were announced, including $144 million for next-generation GMC Sierra Heavy-Duty production in Oshawa and a $215 million investment in St. Catharines Propulsion for a next-generation transmission. The total investment in St. Catharines exceeded $900 million, with commitments to support employees during the assessment of potential opportunities at CAMI Assembly.
The ratified deal includes 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 eligible members. Trevor Longpre, Unifor’s General Motors bargaining chairperson, emphasized the progress made towards securing stable auto jobs and strengthening the Canadian automotive sector.
Amidst ongoing trade tensions, the Canadian auto industry faces challenges, including potential tariff increases. The fate of Canadian auto plants has become a focal point in U.S.-Canada trade negotiations, with unresolved issues impacting trade relations between the two countries.