Ford Motor Company and Unifor have reached a tentative three-year labor agreement, with specific details to be disclosed later. Unifor represents approximately 5,000 employees across five plants in southern Ontario and one in Alberta. Talks commenced at the end of the previous month, coinciding with the expiration of agreements at major American automakers like Stellantis and General Motors.
The negotiation process began with Ford, and Unifor is poised to engage with the remaining automakers once the Ford deal is finalized. Workers at Ford will have the opportunity to vote on the contract between July 17 and 19, with the results to be announced post ratification.
In adherence to the ratification protocol, Ford of Canada has indicated that it will refrain from discussing the specifics of the tentative agreement. Unifor Ford Master Bargaining Chair John D’Agnolo from Windsor, Ontario, expressed anticipation in presenting the agreement to members, emphasizing the acknowledgment of their daily efforts on the shop floor during negotiations.
Unifor initiated discussions with Ford last month, aiming for improved compensation, job security, and benefits for its nearly 19,000 members employed by Detroit’s Big Three automakers. The union’s decision to start with Ford was influenced by the automaker’s demonstrated commitment to sustaining operations in Canada.
The agreement is contingent upon ratification by Ford-Unifor members, as the existing collective agreements with automakers are set to expire on September 20. The union initiated talks earlier than usual due to deteriorating economic conditions, with around 6,000 employees being laid off across the companies’ plants amidst production adjustments.