The labor union representing employees at General Motors has announced that its members have overwhelmingly approved the new contracts with the automaker. Unifor and GM reached tentative labor agreements on August 22 for over 4,600 auto workers in Ontario, with union members voting on them over the weekend.
In a news release on Sunday, the union disclosed that the three-year collective deals entail a raise in wages to $50.20 per hour for full-rate production staff and $62.71 per hour for skilled trades workers. Members in Oshawa, St. Catharines, and Woodstock voted 80.5% in favor, while those in Ingersoll supported the agreements by 96.5%.
The negotiations between Unifor and GM commenced earlier this month following Unifor’s accord with Ford, with the union highlighting that the agreements with GM align with the three-percent annual wage hikes negotiated with Ford. Unifor National President Lana Payne emphasized that the agreements secure over $1 billion in investments for Canadian GM facilities.
GM Canada President and Managing Director Jack Uppal expressed satisfaction with the ratification, stating that it fortifies employee support, enhances manufacturing operations, and lays a solid groundwork for GM’s future in Canada. Unifor mentioned the challenges faced during negotiations with GM, particularly the production halt at the CAMI Assembly Plant in Ingersoll and the majority of members there being on indefinite layoff.
Uppal announced additional investments in Oshawa and St. Catharines, with plans for next-generation production of vehicles and transmissions. Unifor highlighted key aspects of the deal, including a cost-of-living allowance renewal, productivity bonuses, and continued efforts to revive production at CAMI Assembly.
The agreements come amidst a backdrop of trade tensions, with Canada’s auto sector grappling with U.S. tariffs on vehicles. The fate of Canadian auto plants has become a central issue in the ongoing U.S.-Canada trade negotiations, which have hit roadblocks over unresolved matters such as duties on medium and heavy-duty vehicles critical for Canadian factories.