Unifor Targets Ford Motor Co. in Bargaining Talks with Detroit 3

Unifor is focusing its bargaining talks on Ford Motor Co. of Canada in order to set a pattern for this year’s negotiations with the Detroit 3.

Union President Lana Payne has chosen Ford as Unifor’s target automaker, following her previous inclination towards the company that employs around 5,500 union members in Canada. This decision was announced at the start of this year’s contract talks, which began on Aug. 10 in downtown Toronto after the union presented its bargaining proposals to each automaker’s negotiators. The talks intensified on Aug. 22 after Unifor leadership returned from a summit in Halifax.

Payne’s announcement comes three weeks before the expiration of Unifor’s current three-year contracts with the Detroit 3 on Sept. 18.

Over the weekend, Unifor members at all three automakers voted overwhelmingly in favor of a strike mandate. This procedural step does not indicate an imminent strike, but it gives the union’s negotiators an additional tool if talks reach an impasse as the contract deadline approaches.

Similar to General Motors and Stellantis, Ford is in the process of transitioning its Canadian operations to electric vehicle (EV) production. The company has unveiled plans for a $1.8 billion retool of its Oakville plant, which includes facilities for vehicle and battery pack assembly. However, the future role of Ford’s two engine plants in Windsor remains uncertain as the industry shifts towards EVs and the products from these plants become obsolete.

As part of its strategy, Unifor aims to establish a benchmark contract with its initial target automaker, which sets the bar for wages and other important concessions with the other two automakers.