Unifor opens negotiations with General Motors

Unifor has opened contract negotiations with General Motors on behalf of more than 4,600 members at facilities across Ontario. The union said talks will build on the pattern agreement recently reached with Ford and will focus on company operations and the future of auto jobs at GM in Canada.

Unifor national president Lana Payne said the Ford pattern provides a solid foundation for discussions and that members expect certainty about the future of their facilities.

Unifor represents 2,750 members at the GM plant in Oshawa, 1,050 at the idled CAMI plant in Ingersoll, 700 at the St. Catharines propulsion plant and 110 at the parts distribution centre in Woodstock. As negotiations begin, about 30 per cent of Unifor members at GM in Canada are on layoff.

The union has set August 21 as the target deadline to reach a tentative agreement with GM.

“Our members expect the Ford pattern to be respected and these talks to give certainty about the future of their facilities,” said Trevor Longpre, Unifor General Motors Master Bargaining Committee Chairperson. “Our bargaining team is ready to work towards a tentative agreement that respects our members and delivers for their families and their communities that depend on these jobs.”