After UAW, Thousands Join Unifor's Strike Against GM Over Pension And Pay Disputes In Canada

Canadian union Unifor kickstarted strike action against General Motors Co GM at midnight after the company failed to meet the union’s demands for pension and income support for retired workers, among others.

What Happened: The strike includes about 4,280 workers at GM’s Oshawa Assembly Complex and CCA Stamped Products, St. Catharines Powertrain Plant, and Woodstock Parts Distribution Centre.

Unifor opened negotiations with all three Detroit automakers- Ford Motor Co, General Motors Co, and Stellantis NV in early August for better pay and pensions. However, it decided to concentrate on Ford on nearing contract expiry. The idea was to reach an agreement with Ford, which could set the ground for contracts with the other two.

In late September, the union ratified a new agreement with Ford of Canada that included a base hourly wage increase of up to 25%. Other key updates in the new contract included reactivation of the cost of living allowance, pension plan improvements, Essex Engine Plant investment, and protections during the transition to EVs.

Unifor then zeroed in on General Motors to negotiate with. The negotiations were for an agreement in line with the one with Ford while also addressing GM-specific issues. The strike follows a failure of the union and the legacy automaker to reach a consensus.

Union Marches Forth: “This strike is about General Motors stubbornly refusing to meet the pattern agreement. The company knows our members will never let GM break our pattern – not today – not ever,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “The company continues to fall short on our pension demands, income supports for retired workers, and meaningful steps to transition temporary workers into permanent, full-time jobs.”

Unifor GM Master Bargaining Chair Jason Gale also added that the strike will only end when GM agrees to the same terms as the pattern agreement with Ford.

Image Credits – Shutterstock

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