The labor union representing employees at General Motors has announced that its members have overwhelmingly voted to approve new contracts with the automaker. Unifor and GM reached tentative agreements on August 22 for over 4,600 autoworkers in Ontario, with union members casting their votes over the weekend.
In a statement released on Sunday, the union revealed that the three-year collective agreements include wage increases, bringing full-rate production members’ wages to $50.20 per hour and skilled trades workers’ wages to $62.71 per hour. The voting results showed strong support from members, with those in Oshawa, St. Catharines, and Woodstock voting 80.5% in favor, and Ingersoll members showing overwhelming support at 96.5%.
Negotiations between the union and GM commenced earlier this month following Unifor’s agreement with Ford. Unifor highlighted that the agreements with GM align with the three-percent annual wage increases agreed upon 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 the outcome supports employees, strengthens manufacturing operations, and lays a solid foundation for GM’s future in Canada. Despite challenges, including production halts at the CAMI Assembly Plant in Ingersoll, the majority of members there on indefinite layoff, Unifor remains committed to advocating for production resumption at CAMI Assembly.
The ratified deal includes various benefits, such as the renewal of a cost-of-living allowance, a $10,000 productivity and quality bonus for eligible members, and a $2,000 December bonus for eligible members. Trevor Longpre, Unifor’s General Motors bargaining chairperson, emphasized the progress made in securing stable auto jobs and enhancing the Canadian manufacturing footprint.
The agreements come against the backdrop of a trade war, with Canada’s auto sector facing challenges due to U.S. tariffs on vehicles. President Donald Trump’s proposed increase in tariffs to 50% by January 1, 2027, adds further uncertainty to the situation. The fate of Canadian auto plants has become a focal point in the stalled U.S.-Canada trade negotiations, with unresolved issues surrounding duties on medium and heavy-duty vehicles critical for Canadian factories.
