Update: GM and Unifor have reached a tentative agreement, details to follow shortly
Canada’s Unifor union has gone on strike against General Motors after failing to reach an agreement.
The strike began at midnight and includes approximately 4,280 employees at Oshawa Assembly, the St. Catharines Propulsion Plant, and the Woodstock Parts Distribution Centre. These are important facilities for GM as Oshawa Assembly builds light and heavy duty versions of the Chevrolet Silverado, while the St. Catharines plant makes V6 and V8 engines as well as the dual-clutch gearbox used in the Corvette.
In a statement, Unifor said “the decision to strike was not taken lightly” as they were negotiating over the holiday weekend and “into the final hours before the deadline.” However, the union says “General Motors made it clear that they would not agree to meet the conditions of the pattern agreement. We cannot and we will not settle for less than pattern – not today – not ever.”
More: Canada’s Unifor Union Sets October 9 Deadline For GM Talks
Unifor went on to say that GM is unwilling to agree to “core pattern demands” in regards to pensions and “making sure full-time temporary part-time workers are given a clear path to permanent employment.” The union also cited a host of “other unresolved issues.” However, pensions seem to be the big sticking point as the union said “Unifor retirees built the automotive industry in Canada and Unifor will not agree to pay our retired members at GM less than retirees at Ford of Canada.”
The union went on to say they have a “proud history of fighting back and winning,” citing a similar strike against GM in 1996. As Unifor said, “We won pattern then and we will win it now.”
GM didn’t have much to say about the strike, but stated “GM Canada presented Unifor with a record economic offer that recognizes the many contributions of our represented team members – past, present, and future. However, there are some final outstanding items to be resolved at the bargaining table.”
