Unifor cleared another major hurdle in talks with the Big Three domestic automakers. Members at General Motors ratified a new three-year contract over the weekend.
The union said 80.5 per cent of members at the Oshawa Assembly Plant, Woodstock Parts Distribution Centre, and St. Catharines Powertrain Plant approved the contract, which will see wages rise 20 per cent for top-of-scale workers and 25 per cent for skilled trades workers.
"Over the life of the agreement, hundreds of temporary part-time workers will also be converted to permanent full-time positions," said Unifor.
The contract cuts in half the time it takes workers to reach the top of the pay grid from eight years to four.
"This improvement is particularly significant for workers at Oshawa Assembly Plant," said Unifor. "The majority of workers were hired since the plant reopened in 2021. Members with one and two years seniority will see their hourly pay increase by between 63 per cent and 73 per cent over the life of the agreement."
The two sides reached the deal after a brief strike by those workers last week.
The new contract expires on September 20, 2026.
Unifor starts contract talks next with Stellantis. The union represents over 4,000 workers at the Windsor Assembly Plant and other facilities.
Stellantis is expected to follow the pattern set in contracts at Ford and General Motors.
