Unifor, GM in contract talks
Matt Hough, GM Canada general director, human resources and labour relations (right) and Unifor president Jerry Dias (left) officially open up 2020 contract negotiations. (Photo supplied)
By Courtney Bachar/The Oshawa Express/LJI Reporter
Talks have begun between General Motors of Canada (GM) and Detroit 3 automakers for a new contract.
Unifor’s three auto members, GM, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, and Ford Motor Company, overwhelmingly voted in favour of strike action, if necessary, to secure fair contract settlements.
GM voted 95.3 per cent in favour, Ford Motor Company voted 96.4 per cent in favour, and Fiat Chrysler Automobles voted 98.4 per cent in favour of strike action. The current contract expires Sept. 21.
“Our members voted overwhelmingly to support their bargaining committees and our bargaining priorities, including job security, product commitments and economic gains for all members,” says Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “We will continue to push our agenda at the bargaining table, but remind government that they have an active role to play in securing our auto industry’s future. A future made in Canada.”
According to Unifor Local 222 President Colin James, Dias will announce the company designated as the strike target after the Labour Day long weekend.
Unifor says the union will continue negotiations with that company until reaching a settlement no later than the Sept. 21 deadline.
GM’s contract with Unifor represents about 300 employees at the Oshawa Stamped Products and Service Operations centre, and a total of 1,632 employees across its three locations, which also include the St. Catharines Propulsion Plant and the Parts Distribution Centre in Woodstock, Ontario.
According to Unifor Local 222, a top priority is “securing existing products and seeking commitments for new product allocation and investment for our facilities.”
“With all three companies we’re looking for future product. It’s all about the jobs for us,” says James. “Future work is important to us.”
Contract negotiations officially opened on Aug. 12 with Unifor looking to secure new work, pensions, wages, improving health care and other benefits.
“We’d like to make some gains for our members and increase the amount of work we have in Oshawa,” says James.
In 2019, GM invested more than $170 million to transition Oshawa manufacturing operations from vehicle assembly to one focused on stamping, related sub-assembly, and other miscellaneous activities for GM and other auto industry customers.
The transformation agreement included a transition plan for paid retraining and retirement packages.
In May 2020, the Government of Canada contracted GM to produce 10 million face masks in Oshawa between May 2020 and May 2021, which employs 60 workers supporting two shifts of production.
“GM Canada looks forward to contract negotiations with Unifor,” says Matt Hough, GM’s general director of human resources and labour relations. “Our focus is to reach a new fair, flexible four-year agreement for the 1,600 represented employees at our St. Catharines Propulsion Plant, the new Oshawa OEM Stamped Products and Service Operations and the Woodstock Parts Distribution Centre.”