OEMs

Unifor Picks Ford as Target Automaker in Big Three Labor Talks

Written by Laura Miller

September 7, 2023

Unifor, the union representing Canadian autoworkers, among others, has chosen Ford Motor Co. as the target company in its labor negotiations with the Big Three Detroit automakers.

“Ford was selected as the target because we believe that the company is in the best position to reach an agreement that delivers on the needs of our members and sets a strong pattern for Canada’s auto industry,” Lana Payne, Unifor’s national president, said in a statement.

Labor talks between Unifor and Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis began in August, with Unifor representing 18,000 autoworkers covered by the agreements.

Unifor’s main asks center around improved pensions, wages, and issues related to the EV transition.

The union said it will now concentrate on negotiations with Ford leading up to the expiration of the current contract on Sept. 18 at 11:59 p.m.

Once an agreement is reached and ratified with Ford, it will also set the contract terms and conditions for Unifor-represented workers at GM and Stellantis.

In August, Unifor members at Ford, GM, and Stellantis voted overwhelmingly in favor of striking, should it come down to that.

“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,” Payne commented.

UAW Talks with Big Three

The United Auto Workers (UAW) union in the US is also in contract negotiations with the Detroit Three automakers.

In August, the UAW passed its own strike authorization vote.

Earlier this week, UAW president Shawn Fain said that union will strike against any Detroit automaker with whom an agreement has not been reached as of the expiration of its contracts on Sept. 14 at 11:59 p.m.

Laura Miller

Laura Miller is a reporter and editor for Steel Market Update. Since 2007, she has held various editorial and marketing positions with steel industry publications, associations, and mills. In 2021, after a five-year hiatus working across other industries, she returned to steel trade journalism, joining SMU in 2022. She is a member of the Association of Women in the Metal Industries and a past-president of the AWMI Pittsburgh Chapter. She holds a BA in Latin American Studies from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. She can be reached at laura@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-759-7869.

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