Steel Markets
Canadian Autoworkers Target GM as Labor Negotiations Begin
Written by Sandy Williams
September 8, 2016
Canadian autoworkers selected General Motors as target company as contract negotiations begin for approximately 23,000 union workers
Unifor, which represents autoworkers at GM, Ford, and Fiat Chrysler NV in Canada, will use negotiations with GM to set the pattern for talks with the other two manufacturers. Jerry Dias, president of Unifor, called General Motors the “biggest bully in the schoolyard.”
Workers are concerned about the scheduled closing of two production lines in 2017 at the Oshawa facility near Toronto. Dias said GM will not commit to scheduling production on new vehicles beyond 2019 until after labor negotiations are completed.
Unifor worries that manufacturers will continue to move production from Canada to the U.S. and Mexico. Canada’s share of auto production in North America has dropped to 13 percent while Mexico’s has increased to 20 percent, according to Ward’s Automotive Yearbook. The union is seeking wage increase as well as investment in Canadian auto facilities to enable more vehicles to be built.
The current contract with GM is set to expire on Sept. 19 and Unifor hopes to be able to sign a new agreement before then. If not, the union has a strike mandate has been approved by Canadian autoworkers.
Sandy Williams
Read more from Sandy WilliamsLatest in Steel Markets
Metalforming manufacturers predict stagnant market: PMA Business Conditions Report
Most of the surveyed US and Canadian metalforming manufacturers expect general economic activity to remain steady over the next three months.
CRU: Global sheet prices remain under pressure as exporters undermine domestic markets
One cause of this was increased competitiveness from imports that have put pressure on some domestic producers.
CRU: Sheet import demand softens as domestic price gains have slowed
US domestic sheet price gains have begun to slow as previously pulled-forward demand has led to a decline in orders.
CMC looks beyond Arizona micro-mill woes to long-term viability of construction mart
Despite the economic and geopolitical upheaval of the last five years, CMC President and CEO Peter Matt points out that the construction market has been an essential element of the way forward.
US importers face stricter rules under revamped S232 tariffs
“CBP expects full compliance from the trade community for accurate reporting and payment of the additional duties. CBP will take enforcement action on non-compliance," the agency said in a March 7 bulletin.