With just several days left until contracts between Unifor members and Ford Motor Company expire, National President Lana Payne said bargaining efforts continue.
During an information session Thursday evening, Payne said talks to secure a contract for the 18,000 autoworkers in Canada, including those at the Windsor Engine Plant, are ongoing. So far, the negotiating team feels it is making "solid progress" towards reaching a tentative agreement; however, there are still a number of demands it feels Ford is being resistant to.
"To date we have received two economic offers from Ford Motor Company and we have rejected both. That should tell you that those offers did not come close to meeting our expectations," said Payne.
The main pillars Unifor negotiators are working on with Ford include pension improvements, wage package improvements, EV transition support, and investments.
"We have been very clear with Ford Canada," said Master Bargaining Chair John D'Agnolo. "These are exceptional times and our members are looking for an exceptional deal. Our goal is to ensure that all members benefit from what we negotiate."
Meanwhile, a strike deadline in the United States has passed between the United Auto Workers (UAW) and the Big Three Detroit automakers (Ford, Stellantis and General Motors). Workers are on strike after the two sides failed to reach an agreement by the 11:59 p.m. September 14 deadline.
The UAW said workers at GM Wenteville Assembly, Stellantis Toledo Assembly Complex, and Ford Michigan Assembly Plant hit the picket line on Friday morning in a series of selective strikes that could expand as the job action continues.
The collective agreement between Unifor and Ford expires four days later on Monday at 11:59 p.m. Negotiations with Stellantis and GM are on hold until a ratified agreement is made with Ford. A rift between the UAW the Detroit automakers would be the first simultaneous strike against all three companies in the union's 80-year history.
Payne said a potential labour dispute between the Detroit automakers and UAW will impact some or all Canadian facilities, however those effects will not be known until once it occurs. Bargaining teams will be monitoring the situation in the U.S., and updates will be provided to www.autotalks.ca.