Unifor boasts negotiations progress with GM as deadline looms
The Canadian Press
General Automotive GM UniforThe union is focusing on General Motors as it tries to secure more production at the Oshawa plant.
TORONTO — With a strike deadline looming, negotiations between the autoworkers union and the Detroit Three automakers are much closer to reaching a tentative agreement. A spokeswoman for Unifor says there has been some progress in the union’s negotiations with General Motors.
Photo courtesy of GM.
The union’s contract with the Detroit Three automakers — GM, Ford and Chrysler — expires Monday night, and the union has set its sights on GM as it tries to secure more production at the automaker’s plant in Oshawa, Ont.
The union represents about 23,000 Detroit Three autoworkers in Canada.
It lists its priorities as wage increases, a better “new hire” program, retirement incentives and new investments.
The union is threatening job action if it doesn’t reach a deal with GM by 11:59 p.m. Monday.
Strike deadlines have been sometimes postponed in previous talks with the Detroit Three.
While it’s focusing negotiations on GM, the tentative agreement Unifor reaches will “set a pattern” for agreements with all three automakers.
A representative from GM says the company “remains focused on working with Unifor” to reach a deal that both are happy with.
