GM Faces Midnight Labor Strike in Canada

Unifor, the labor union that represents hourly autoworkers in Canada, says it will strike two General Motors factories if the two sides fail to reach a new labor contract by midnight. The union seeks a pattern agreement it can apply at Ford and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

The union reported “some progress” earlier today on replacing their expiring four-year pact at GM. Unifor warned two weeks ago it would strike carmakers that fail to pledge new investment and products for their Canadian operations.

Unifor strike plans would target GM’s strategically important engine and transmission plant in St. Catharines, Ontario. The facility supplies V-6 and V-8 engines used in hot-selling GM crossovers and SUVs assembled elsewhere.

Unifor also appears likely to strike GM’s plant in Oshawa, Ontario, if no contract agreement is reached today. That facility’s future has been shaky for months because the models it makes—the Buick Regal sedan, Cadillac XTS luxury sedan, and Chevrolet Equinox crossover and Impala large sedan—all are nearing the end of their lifecycles.

GM has said it won’t discuss future product plans for Oshawa ahead of an agreement on a new contract.