Autoworkers in Canada have ratified a new labor contract with General Motors (GM), ending a strike that lasted approximately 13 hours. The strike was initiated by members of Unifor, the Canadian union representing 4,300 workers at GM. The agreement was approved by an 80% vote in favor and includes base-wage increases of nearly 20% throughout the duration of the contract, as well as improvements to pensions. This outcome comes after members of the same union at Ford voted with only 54% in favor of a similar contract in September.
The GM strike had the potential to disrupt operations at GM’s US plants, which rely on engines and transmissions manufactured by Unifor members at Canadian facilities. If the tentative deal had been rejected, the union was prepared to resume the strike immediately, following the narrow vote at Ford. Comparably, the United Auto Workers union recently voted down a tentative labor agreement with Mack Trucks, resulting in an ongoing strike.
The strike at GM began just after the Monday night deadline and ended on Tuesday afternoon when a tentative agreement was reached between the two parties. Unifor National President Lana Payne expressed pride in the union members for their solidarity and emphasized the transformative improvements brought by the contract. Marissa West, President and Managing Director of GM Canada, lauded the deal for recognizing the contributions of the represented team members and positioning GM Canada competitively for the future.
With the agreement at GM secured, Unifor aims to negotiate a similar contract for its members at Stellantis, the manufacturer of Jeep, Ram, Dodge, and Chrysler vehicles for the North American market. This development stands in contrast to the ongoing strike by the United Auto Workers union in the US, affecting GM, Ford, and Stellantis. The strike, which started on September 15, has expanded to include multiple assembly plants and parts distribution centers.
Negotiations between the UAW and the three automakers have indicated a significant gap, with no indication of an imminent deal. UAW President Shawn Fain has warned that the strike may continue to expand without prior notice if the companies fail to improve their offers. Ford executives have stated that they have reached their limits in terms of additional financial concessions.
Overall, the ratification of the new labor contract between Unifor and GM in Canada marks a significant milestone in the ongoing negotiations between the unions and automakers. The outcome demonstrates the potential for resolving labor disputes through collective bargaining and securing improved working conditions for employees.