Unifor members ratify GM contracts

Unifor members at General Motors (GM) have ratified new three‑year contracts that secure more than C$1 billion in product and investment commitments at Ontario facilities, according to the union.

The agreements include a next‑generation transmission program for the St. Catharines Propulsion Plant and the return of Heavy‑Duty GMC Sierra production to Oshawa Assembly.

Unifor said the investments come as Canada’s auto sector faces pressure from the Trump Administration and reflect GM’s commitment to its Canadian operations.

“These agreements commit more than one billion dollars in vital investments to Canadian GM facilities, with a new single source next‑generation transmission at the St. Catharines Propulsion Plant and the return of next‑generation Heavy‑Duty GMC Sierra production to Oshawa,” said Unifor national president Lana Payne. “GM is making these investments in both its highly skilled Canadian workforce and facilities at a crucial time, as our domestic auto industry is under siege by the Trump Administration.”

Negotiations took place while the CAMI Assembly Plant in Ingersoll remained idled, with most members on indefinite layoff. Unifor said it will continue pushing for production to return to CAMI.

GM committed to seek new opportunities for the facility and designated it as the first plant considered for potential Canadian Armed Forces defence work. The agreement also extends the Income Maintenance Plan for eligible laid‑off members until May 2028.

The union said the bargaining team focused on securing stable employment and long‑term product commitments.

“I thank the negotiating team for their hard work to reach this tentative agreement that delivers solid gains for our members at a time of upheaval for our industry,” said GM master bargaining chairperson Trevor Longpre. “We made significant progress in securing good, stable auto jobs and a stronger Canadian footprint, but the work to bring production back to CAMI is not over. This agreement gives our Ingersoll members a bridge until we get CAMI workers back on the job.”

The contracts mirror the 3 per cent annual wage increases in the Detroit Three pattern agreement set with Ford Motor Company. Wages will rise to $50.20/hour for full‑rate production members and $62.71/hour for Skilled Trades workers over the life of the agreements.

The GMCC agreement covers workers in Oshawa, St. Catharines and Woodstock, while the CAMI agreement covers members in Ingersoll. Members voted 80.5 per cent in favour of the GMCC agreement and 96.5 per cent in favour of the CAMI agreement.