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 labor agreements on August 22 for over 4,600 auto workers in Ontario, with union members casting their votes over the weekend.
In a press release on Sunday, the union disclosed that the three-year collective contracts include wage increases, raising hourly pay to $50.20 for full-rate production workers and $62.71 for skilled trades employees. The voting results showed strong support, with members in Oshawa, St. Catharines, and Woodstock voting 80.5% in favor, while Ingersoll members supported the agreements by 96.5%.
Negotiations between Unifor and GM commenced after a similar agreement was reached with Ford, with the union highlighting that the wage increases align with the three-percent annual increments at 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 bolsters employee support, enhances manufacturing operations, and sets a solid foundation for GM’s future in Canada. Despite challenges, including halted production at the CAMI Assembly Plant in Ingersoll, Unifor affirmed its commitment to resuming production at the facility.
The agreements also entail a renewal of a cost-of-living allowance, a $10,000 productivity and quality bonus for eligible members, and a $2,000 December bonus for qualifying employees. Trevor Longpre, Unifor’s General Motors bargaining committee chairperson, hailed the progress made in securing stable auto jobs and strengthening the Canadian auto industry.
The deal comes against the backdrop of a trade war, with Canada’s auto sector facing 25% U.S. tariffs on vehicles, a figure that could potentially rise to 50% in 2027. The fate of Canadian auto plants has become a central issue in the stalled U.S.-Canada trade negotiations, with unresolved matters such as duty cuts on vital vehicles for Canadian factories. U.S. automakers had anticipated relief from the tariffs, which have increased shipping costs for vehicles and parts across the border.
GM’s commitments include investments in Oshawa for GMC Sierra Heavy-Duty production and in St. Catharines for a next-generation transmission, amounting to a substantial financial injection in these facilities. The agreement signifies progress for Unifor members while efforts continue to bring production back to the CAMI Assembly Plant, demonstrating ongoing support for employees amid the changing landscape of the auto industry.