Unifor National President Lana Payne said that “Unifor bargaining committees continue to negotiate with Ford Motor Company ahead of the union’s midnight strike deadline. “Unifor’s priorities remain the same. Pensions. Wages. EV transition. Investment.”
“As of now a tentative agreement has not been reached. While we remain at the table the likelihood of a strike increases with each passing hour. Unifor has advised more than 5600 members at Ford facilities in Canada to prepare for all scenarios, including strike action,” said Payne. However, Unifor is extending negotiations with Ford Motor Company for a 24-hour period. The union subsequently said it received a substantive offer from Ford Motor minutes before the original deadline and bargaining is continuing. Unifor members should continue to maintain strike readiness. So the next strike deadline is Midnight 19 September. Maybe…
Original Update at ~7:30pm on 18 September:
“The last time we had a strike with Ford Motor Company was 1990,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “There’s a lot of work still to do – and still some time to do it – but what I can confirm is that if there is a strike this will be a total strike every single one of Unifor ‘s 5600 members at Ford in Canada will be on picket lines – our Oakville assembly plant, our Windsor powertrain operations [engines for Mustang and F-Series], our parts distribution centers, our office and technical units – everyone together. (AutoInformed: UAW Big Three Strike Continues)
“I also want to be clear that this is not our desired outcome, however I need Unifor members at Ford to understand that as of right now this is a strong possibility. What is also true is the pride members take in their work building among the highest quality engines and vehicles anywhere in the world this includes our members working in office and technical and parts distribution centers supporting a network of Ford dealerships throughout North America they are among the very best at what they do.”
Unifor started negotiating with Detroit 3 automakers on August 10 when it submitted to the companies a package of proposals from members to improve and enhance work standards. Ford GM and Stellantis (successor to FCA) responded on 22 August. Ford Motor is the target company, and talks with GM and Stellantis are suspended until an agreement with Ford is reached. “A tentative agreement that our members could be proud of the pattern we secure at Ford will then be negotiated at General Motors and Stellantis,” Payne previously said.
“As you know because the Canadian and US auto industries are so integrated the UAW labor dispute we don’t know yet what the extent of that impact will be the situation as it stands.”
Thus far the UAW selective strike strategy of individual plants is more sophisticated than Unifor’s because most of its ~150,000 workers remain on the job with ~11,700 on strike. There now is intense pressure on the wealthy, stock enriched management of the auto companies and their numerous suppliers because the strike could go on indefinitely. The Canadian Parliament reopened today, which adds another unknown aspect to the developing situation.
Update at ~7:30pm: “The last time we had a strike with Ford Motor Company was 1990,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “There’s a lot of work still to do – and still some time to do it – but what I can confirm is that if there is a strike this will be a total strike every single one of Unifor ‘s 5600 members at Ford in Canada will be on picket lines – our Oakville assembly plant, our Windsor powertrain operations, our parts distribution centers, our office and technical units – everyone together.