Oh Canada! – GM Rejects Pattern Agreement – Unifor Strikes

No more concessions.

About 4280 Unifor members in Canada began a strike action at General Motors at midnight Monday when GM refused to honor the pattern agreement ratified by Ford Canada workers. Unifor is Canada’s largest union in the private sector and represents 315,000 workers in every major sector of the economy. This is the first strike since 1996 for GM autoworkers in Canada. (AutoInformed: Canadian Unifor Workers Ratify Ford Contract)

“This strike is about General Motors stubbornly refusing to meet the pattern agreement. The company knows our members will never let GM break our pattern – not today – not ever,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “The company continues to fall short on our pension demands, income supports for retired workers, and meaningful steps to transition temporary workers into permanent, full-time jobs.”

Autoworkers at the Oshawa Assembly Complex (Chevrolet Silverado pickups) and CCA Stamped Products, St. Catharines Powertrain Plant (Chevrolet Equinox and Corvette engines and parts) and Woodstock Parts Distribution Center will remain on strike until the pattern agreement is met. The members from Unifor Locals 222, 199 and 636 will remain on strike until the pattern is met. Unifor Local 88 members at the CAMI Assembly Plant in Ingersoll, Ontario are covered by a separate collective agreement and will continue operations.

“Our bargaining team was crystal clear with the company throughout these negotiations: our members are united and ready to strike, no exceptions,” said Unifor GM Master Bargaining Chair Jason Gale. “Everything our members do, from the trucks we assemble, the stamping plant we run, the engines and transmissions we build and the parts we deliver, are all critical to GM’s bottom line. This dispute can only end one way: with GM agreeing to the same terms in our pattern agreement with Ford.”

The talks are continuing. Retiree pensions and converting temporary workers to permanent status are two of the major ares of disagreement. GM in Canada has an aging workforce.