Unifor Completes Pattern Bargaining With Ratified General Motors Deal

The finalized union contract includes a major investment in the Detroit automaker’s Oshawa, Ontario assembly plant.

Unifor has finalized a new contract with General Motors. Officials with the Canadian union say about 85% of represented workers voted in favor of the agreement.

The deal will see General Motors invest $1.3 billion to restart the assembly line at its Oshawa, Ontario plant. That site has been serving as a parts facility with about 300 workers since it last produced a vehicle in December of 2019.

“It’s a change of where auto investment had been going in this country over the last decade.” — Jerry Dias, Unifor President

Union president Jerry Dias says the plan is to build light and heavy duty pickup trucks at the plant.

“GM will start hiring our members back in August of 2021,” says Dias, “and in January of 2022 the first heavy duty truck will drive off the assembly line.”

A second shift is scheduled to launch in March of 2022. Dias says he’s hopeful a third shift can be added from there.

The investment is expected to create at least 1,700 jobs. Union officials say workers who were laid off when the plant’s assembly operation ceased will get the first call at those positions.

“That has made the community of Oshawa extremely happy,” says Dias. “It’s a change of where auto investment had been going in this country over the last decade.”

The contract will also see General Motors invest more than $100 million in its St. Catharines, Ontario powertrain facility. 

Click on the player above to hear union president Jerry Dias discuss the GM contract, future of collective bargaining, and trade relations with the US.

Trusted, accurate, up-to-date

WDET is here to keep you informed on essential information, news and resources related to COVID-19.

This is a stressful, insecure time for many. So it’s more important than ever for you, our listeners and readers, who are able to donate to keep supporting WDET’s mission. Please make a gift today.

Donate today »

Author

  • Alex McLenon
    Alex McLenon is a Reporter with 101.9 WDET. McLenon is a graduate of Wayne State University, where he studied Media Arts & Production and Broadcast Journalism.