- Ford and Unifor have reached a tentative three-year agreement.
- Deal was made shortly after the initial deadline had passed.
- If members approve the contract, GM or Stellantis will be up next.
Canada’s Unifor union kicked off negotiations with Ford on June 22 and aimed to have an agreement by July 10. They narrowly missed their goal as the two sides struck a deal over the weekend.
The move came after lengthy discussions on Friday that continued into the night and into the next morning. Unfortunately, neither side is saying much about the agreement at this point.
More: Detroit Automakers Slashed Canadian Production, Setting Up Tense Union Talks
However, Unifor noted the tentative deal would cover 5,150 union members across the country. They’re employed at Oakville Assembly, the Essex Engine Plant, the Windsor Annex as well as an assortment of parts distribution centers.
The three-year contract needs to be approved by workers, but it “received the unanimous endorsement of the Unifor Ford Master Bargaining Committee.” Details will be presented to members at ratification meetings starting on July 17 and Unifor’s John D’Agnolo said, “Our members put in the work on the shop floor every day, and our entire negotiating team made sure that work was recognized at the bargaining table.”
Unifor National President Lana Payne added, “Securing this tentative agreement comes at a vital time for Canada’s auto workers and our domestic industry. Every member of our bargaining committee came to the table resolved to reach a fair deal that protects good union jobs in the most challenging of economic times.”
While information is scarce, the union went into negotiations focused on obtaining job and income security as well as “stable ground for Canada’s auto industry.” They also sought pension and retirement security as well as health benefits.
The talks come at a challenging time as the Trump administration has decided not to renew the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement “in its current form.” US officials are seeking more beneficial treatment as part of a new deal, but it remains to be seen if Canada and Mexico are interested or will simply wait until the next US administration is sworn in.
Assuming members approve the contract with Ford, attention will then turn to General Motors and Stellantis. The Ford deal will serve as a template for those discussions and the union aims to have everything wrapped up before the current contracts expire on September 20.
