Unifor Detroit Three members deliver overwhelming strike mandate
August 28, 2023
TORONTO – Unifor members at General Motors, Ford Motor Company and Stellantis have delivered overwhelming strike mandates, authorizing their bargaining committees to take job action, if needed, to achieve fair collective agreements with the Detroit Three (D3).
“Canadian autoworkers have sent a strong message to D3 automakers that they are united behind our bargaining committees in an effort to improve pensions, increase wages, and secure good, union jobs in the EV future,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Our bargaining teams are set to resume negotiations with the unwavering support of Unifor members across the auto sector. Make no mistake, our union is fully prepared to take any and all necessary action to achieve our collective bargaining objectives.”
Unifor paused negotiations to hold the strike votes over the course of the weekend. The results of the strike votes are tabulated and broken down by company below.
Strike vote results:
General Motors 99% in favour
Ford Motor Company: 98.9% in favour
Stellantis 98.1% in favour
The current Detroit 3 collective agreements expire at 11:59 p.m. on September 18, 2023.
The union opened formal negotiations with the automakers on August 10 in Toronto, representing 18,000 autoworkers covered by collective agreements.
Unifor will continue to provide regular updates on the status of negotiations at autotalks.ca
Unifor is Canada’s largest union in the private sector and represents 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.
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Local 199 Members – Register here for the online ratification vote – https://forms.gle/Ew6hJks4rGjBdQn89
Join our GM Unit Facebook Group (active members) – https://www.facebook.com/groups/UniforLocal199GMUnit
Bargaining Updates – visit AutoTalks – https://.autotalks.uniforautohub.ca/
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THE COUNT IS ON
July 14, 2023
In 4 weeks we open bargaining with the Detroit Big 3 automakers.
We are ready!
These contract talks affect more than 18,000 Unifor members at Ford, GM and Stellantis. But make no mistake what we do at this important round of negotiations will impact the lives and livelihoods of thousands of additional workers throughout the auto industry.
Unifor members can find out more about the union’s auto sector membership in our ‘Unifor by the Numbers’ resource on the autotalks.ca website, including info on where we work and what we build.
Auto Talks 2023 is unique in many ways. From the transition to electric vehicle manufacturing to bargaining at the same time as the UAW, many Unifor members have questions about this year’s contract talks. The union has prepared a new ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ resource to provide answers to members’ most common questions about the collective bargaining process, pattern bargaining and our key priorities.
View ‘Unifor by the Numbers’ here.
View Frequently Asked Questions here.
To stay informed of the latest news, access key resources and view videos visit autotalks.ca
Questions related to Auto Talks 2023 can be sent to autotalks@unifor.org.
In solidarity,
Issued by,
Jordan Lennox President, Unifor Local 199
Ontario Regional Council Member at Large
Cell: 289-686-6382
Office: 905-682-2611 Ex; 225
BARGAINING OPENS AUGUST 10TH
July 4, 2023
Unifor has reached the next milestone in the leadup to Auto Talks 2023 today by serving Ford, General Motors and Stellantis with notice to bargain on behalf of our 18,000 union members at the D3.
The union advised news outlets of this action in a media release that members can review here.
The next Auto Talks milestone is quickly approaching. All members should be advised that the union will begin negotiations with D3 automakers on August 10 in Toronto. Negotiations with the companies will follow in the order selected by Unifor, with the union conducting pattern bargaining to negotiate wage and work standards that apply equally across the Detroit Three.
The union has also launched a new website for all union members at the D3 at www.autotalks.ca. The website is intended to be your one-stop-shop for everything related to this year’s negotiations. All future news and bargaining updates as well as helpful resources, key dates, video messages and more will be posted here so be sure to visit the website often.
Questions related to Auto Talks 2023 can be sent to autotalks@unifor.org.
In solidarity,
Lana Payne, National President
John D’Agnolo, Ford Master Bargaining Chair
Jason Gale, GM Master Bargaining Chair
James Stewart, Stellantis Master Bargaining Chair
GM BARGAINING PRIORITIES
June 27, 2023
Pensions, wages, transition plans as autoworkers shift to producing electric vehicles, and confirmation of new investment and product lines emerged as the bargaining priorities at the Unifor Special Auto Council, as the union prepares for upcoming negotiations with the Detroit Three automakers (Ford, General Motors and Stellantis).
“This is going to be a big year. One of the most closely watched and highly anticipated rounds of Detroit Three bargaining that we’ve seen in a long time,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “The Auto Council has worked to identify our key, overarching priorities amid hundreds of specific proposals put forward by our members to set our strategic course. Our members expect us to deliver and they deserve it.”
During Special Auto Council, delegates raised concerns including rising inflation, income security during retooling for EV production, hiring and retention challenges including for Skilled Trades and the unionization of new EV facilities, among others.
Contract negotiations for the union’s 20,000 auto sector members at the D3 will get underway in August 2023. The Unifor collective agreement covers members working at auto assembly plants, powertrain facilities, casting and stamping operations, parts distribution centres, office and clerical workers, as well as fire and security units.
Unifor’s Special Auto Council, held May 17-18 in London, Ont., brought together active and retired members from Ford, GM and Stellantis to prioritize the demands that will be brought to the table. Analysis of the sector’s economic forecast, current Canadian manufacturing footprint, and member pension plans informed the conversation.
“Inclusion is very important when it comes to bargaining,” said John D’Agnolo, Unifor Auto Council Chair and Ford Master Bargaining Chair. “Our bargaining process includes members from the beginning and at the end they get to vote on it, so throughout the whole process they get to see it. It’s the democratic way.”
Unifor has not yet announced which company it will select to set the contract pattern for the remaining rounds of bargaining with the other companies.
“We are in an extraordinary time in the sector, with thousands of members bracing for a transition to electric vehicles,” said James Stewart, Stellantis Master Bargaining Chair. “One of our primary priorities in addition to pensions and wages will be to secure details of these investment commitments including specific product allocation, transition timeline and income security protections during the transition.”
As workers face rising interest rates and record inflation, pensions and wages are top of mind for members.
“It is important that auto manufacturing jobs continue to be family and community supporting jobs, with solid, stable pensions and strong wages,” said Jason Gale, GM Master Bargaining Chair. “Our members have been very clear with us that pensions and wage improvements form the core of our bargaining proposals.”
Unifor previously unveiled its set of 29 recommendations for governments and automakers in its auto policy document, Navigating the Road Ahead: Rebuilding Canada’s powerhouse auto sector.
“We are the ones most vested in this industry’s success. We are its most vocal advocate and its strongest champion,” said Payne. “One thing is for certain with our union: once we decide on a goal, we don’t waver. We are relentless and determined.”
Auto Talks Website: https://policy.uniforautohub.ca
Issued by,
Jordan Lennox President, Unifor Local 199
Ontario Regional Council Member at Large
Cell: 289-686-6382
Office: 905-682-2611 Ex; 225