The labor union representing employees at General Motors 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.
According to a statement released by the union on Sunday, the three-year collective contracts include wage increases for full-rate production workers to $50.20 per hour and skilled trades workers to $62.71 per hour. The voting results showed that members in Oshawa, St. Catharines, and Woodstock favored the agreements by 80.5%, while members in Ingersoll supported them by 96.5%.
Negotiations between Unifor and GM commenced earlier in the month following Unifor’s deal with Ford. Unifor stated that the agreements with GM align with the three-percent annual wage hikes agreed upon with Ford. Unifor National President Lana Payne highlighted that the agreements entail over $1 billion in investments in Canadian GM facilities.
GM Canada President and Managing Director Jack Uppal expressed satisfaction with the ratification, emphasizing that it bolsters employee support, enhances manufacturing operations, and lays a robust foundation for GM’s future in Canada. Despite challenges during negotiations, including the idling of production at the CAMI Assembly Plant in Ingersoll, Unifor remains committed to advocating for the plant’s operations to resume.
The agreement also includes a 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 employees. Trevor Longpre, Unifor’s General Motors bargaining chairperson, commended the progress made in securing stable auto jobs and reinforcing the Canadian automotive industry.
The deal comes against the backdrop of ongoing trade tensions, with the Canadian auto sector facing 25% U.S. tariffs on vehicles. Talks between the U.S. and Canada concerning trade issues, including tariffs on medium and heavy-duty vehicles critical for Canadian factories, concluded without resolution last week. U.S. automakers had hoped for relief from the existing tariffs, which have impacted the cost of shipping vehicles and parts across the border.
GM’s investments in various Canadian facilities, including Oshawa and St. Catharines, are aimed at expanding production capabilities and solidifying the company’s presence in the country. Despite the challenges posed by the current trade environment, both Unifor and GM remain focused on sustaining and growing their operations in Canada.