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Unifor Vows Strikes if Carmakers Don’t Invest in Canada
Unifor, the union that represents autoworkers in Canada, indicates it will refuse any contract deal that doesn’t include new investment in the country's shrinking auto industry.
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Unifor, the union that represents autoworkers in Canada, indicates it will refuse any contract deal that doesn’t include new investment in the country's shrinking auto industry.
Unifor’s contracts with General Motors, Ford and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will expire on Sept. 19. Unifor President Jerry Dias tells Automotive News his goal is stave off a “death spiral” for the industry by coaxing carmakers to “solidify their footprint” in Canada.
Dias says GM’s plant in Oshawa, Ontario, is the most vulnerable facility for closure. Production of all four models currently assembled there—the Buick Regal midsize sedan, Cadillac XTS large luxury sedan and Chevrolet Equinox SUV and Impala large sedan—is scheduled to soon end or move elsewhere.
He also sees major threats to Ford’s engine plant in Windsor, Ontario, and FCA’s car plant in Brampton.
Only about 15% of vehicles sold in Canada are built there, according to Dias. Analysts say the union faces stiff headwinds to convince carmakers to stay, let alone expand, because of Mexico’s lure of lower wages and stronger trade agreements.
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