The labor union representing General Motors workers has announced that its members overwhelmingly approved the new contracts with the automaker. Unifor and GM reached an agreement on tentative labor contracts for over 4,600 autoworkers in Ontario on August 22. Following this, union members voted on the contracts during the weekend.
According to a news release by the union on Sunday, the three-year collective agreements include wage increases for full-rate production members to $50.20 per hour and skilled trades workers to $62.71 per hour. The voting results showed that members in Oshawa, St. Catharines, and Woodstock voted 80.5% in favor, while members in Ingersoll voted 96.5% in support.
The negotiations between the union and the automaker commenced earlier this month after Unifor had reached an agreement with Ford. Unifor stated 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 entail over $1 billion in investments in Canadian GM facilities.
GM Canada President and Managing Director Jack Uppal expressed in a statement that the ratification signifies a supportive outcome for employees, strengthens manufacturing operations, and lays a solid foundation for GM’s future in Canada. The negotiations with GM were described as challenging, especially with the CAMI Assembly Plant in Ingersoll facing production idling and the majority of members on indefinite layoff.
Furthermore, Unifor highlighted key aspects of the deal, including 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, noted the progress made in securing stable auto jobs and enhancing the Canadian footprint.
The agreement reached between Unifor and GM comes against the backdrop of a trade war scenario. The Canadian auto sector is under pressure due to the 25% U.S. duties on vehicles, with President Donald Trump planning to increase them to 50% in 2027. The fate of Canadian auto plants has become a central issue in the stalled U.S.-Canada trade negotiations, particularly concerning duties on medium and heavy-duty vehicles critical for Canadian factories.