Unifor working for its Canadian members and General Motors have reached a tentative agreement following today’s strike action at Oshawa Assembly Plant (Chevrolet Silverado pickups, likely GM’s most profitable plant), St. Catharines Powertrain Plant (Chevrolet Equinox, Corvette engines and parts) and Woodstock Parts Distribution Center. GM management apparently came to its senses and abandoned a ‘let them eat cake approach’ ~12 hours after refusing to accept the Unifor pattern contract that was agreed to at Ford Motor. The new tentative agreement follows the Ford contract “to the letter” covering ~4300 autoworkers at Unifor locals 222, 199 and 636. Strike actions are on hold to allow the membership to vote on the tentative agreement, approval of which is likely because this agreement significantly lifts everybody up. (AutoInformed: Oh Canada! – GM Rejects Pattern Agreement – Unifor Strikes)
“When faced with the shutdown of these key facilities General Motors had no choice but to get serious at the table and agree to the pattern,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. Details of the agreement, including local and facility-specific information will be made available to members prior to ratification votes.
Known Highlights of the Pattern Agreement
- Base hourly wage increases of nearly 20% for production and 25% for Skilled Trades over the lifetime of agreement. By the end of the three-year agreement, a top-rate production assembler will be paid $44.52 per hour, in addition to a forecasted $1.61 cost of living allowance (a total of $46.13); a journey-person skilled trades worker will be paid $55.97 per hour, in addition to a forecasted $1.61 cost of living allowance (a total of $57.58).
- General wage increases in each year of the agreement with 10% in year one, 2% in year two and 3% in year three.
- Reactivation of the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) in December 2024.
- Wage progression reduced from 8 to 4 years.
- Start rate for Temporary Part Time and production workers increasing from $24.26 to $29.67/hr., further increasing to $30.26 within 12 months, and $31.16 by the end of the agreement.
- The conversion of all full-time temporary workers, with at least one year of seniority at ratification, to permanent status.
- At Oshawa Assembly, the company has agreed to eliminate the use of the full-time temporary classification by August 1, 2026.
- $10,000 Productivity and Quality bonus for full-time employees (including current temporary full-time) as well as $4,000 for Temporary Part Time.
- Improvements to all pension plans.
- Mandatory company contributions to the DC plan increase from 4% to 7%.
- Defined Contribution plan members will transition to a new Defined Benefits style pension for current plan members and all new hires on January 1, 2025.
- New quarterly payment unique to Canadian retirees, called the Universal Health Care Allowance. These quarterly payments will continue in each year of the 3-year agreement.
- Two new additional paid holidays: Family Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
“All members will benefit now that the pattern is in place at GM, whether they’re temporary workers, new hires, or already at the top of the pay scale,” said Unifor Ford Master Bargaining Chair Jason Gale. “This agreement delivers the kind of historic pay increases our members need and significant pension improvements that will protect their living standards in retirement.”
Next for other Unifor members is an agreement with Stellantis.
An Awakened GM Agrees to Unifor Pattern Agreement
Unifor working for its Canadian members and General Motors have reached a tentative agreement following today’s strike action at Oshawa Assembly Plant (Chevrolet Silverado pickups, likely GM’s most profitable plant), St. Catharines Powertrain Plant (Chevrolet Equinox, Corvette engines and parts) and Woodstock Parts Distribution Center. GM management apparently came to its senses and abandoned a ‘let them eat cake approach’ ~12 hours after refusing to accept the Unifor pattern contract that was agreed to at Ford Motor. The new tentative agreement follows the Ford contract “to the letter” covering ~4300 autoworkers at Unifor locals 222, 199 and 636. Strike actions are on hold to allow the membership to vote on the tentative agreement, approval of which is likely because this agreement significantly lifts everybody up. (AutoInformed: Oh Canada! – GM Rejects Pattern Agreement – Unifor Strikes)
“When faced with the shutdown of these key facilities General Motors had no choice but to get serious at the table and agree to the pattern,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. Details of the agreement, including local and facility-specific information will be made available to members prior to ratification votes.
Known Highlights of the Pattern Agreement
“All members will benefit now that the pattern is in place at GM, whether they’re temporary workers, new hires, or already at the top of the pay scale,” said Unifor Ford Master Bargaining Chair Jason Gale. “This agreement delivers the kind of historic pay increases our members need and significant pension improvements that will protect their living standards in retirement.”
Next for other Unifor members is an agreement with Stellantis.