Unifor and General Motors have commenced discussions for a new labor agreement, initiating talks at a bargaining table in downtown Toronto. The union represents over 4,600 members at various GM facilities in Ontario, including the Oshawa assembly plant, the CAMI facility in Ingersoll, and operations in St. Catharines and Woodstock.
Unifor’s national president, Lana Payne, and GM Canada’s president and managing director, Jack Uppal, formalized the start of negotiations with a handshake. The conference room was set with chairs, with officials seated at opposite ends, Payne positioned in the middle, and Uppal directly across from her.
In a press release on Monday, Payne stated, “We’re commencing these negotiations with a solid foundation from the pattern agreement with Ford, aiming for substantive discussions on GM’s operations and the future of auto jobs in Canada.” The union has set a target deadline of August 21 to reach a preliminary agreement with GM.
Uppal expressed the company’s commitment to the bargaining process and the significance of its employees in its success. He mentioned GM’s substantial investments in Canadian manufacturing plants since 2020, totaling $3.3 billion, ensuring job security and competitiveness.
Earlier in July, Unifor members approved a new three-year contract with Ford, featuring annual pay increases and program commitments, including a no-closure agreement and additional shifts at Ford facilities. Unifor and Ford also agreed on a program benefiting laid-off workers in Oakville, Ontario, providing a path to full employment by 2027.
The successful negotiations with Ford set a pattern for future talks with GM and Stellantis. Payne acknowledged the challenges ahead, particularly with GM’s Ingersoll plant and Stellantis’ Brampton plant currently inactive and facing layoffs. Despite industry headwinds like U.S. tariffs and trade uncertainties, Unifor remains committed to advocating for the Canadian automotive sector.