Strike decision at General Motors factories in Canada

Unifor, Canada’s labor union, announced it would go on strike at three General Motors-owned facilities after negotiations to raise wages and pensions failed to reach an agreement.

Unifor, which represents approximately 4,300 GM employees, announced it will strike at the Oshawa Assembly Plant, the St. Catharines Powertrain Plant and the Woodstock Parts Distribution Center.

Unifor President Lana Payne said in her statement: “The company; “We are still failing to take concrete steps toward social security, income support for retirees, and the transition of temporary workers to full-time positions,” she said.

GM announced that negotiations with Unifor will continue.

WIND IN USA AND CANADA

In addition to Unifor, other unions are organizing strikes at some critical facilities of Stellantis, owner of the three major American vehicle manufacturers, Ford, General Motors and Chrysler, in Canada and the United States.

The operations of the so-called Detroit Three Manufacturers in Canada are much smaller than those in the United States, but each of them has major factories in Canada.

Ford signed a three-year agreement with the Canadian union, which threatened a strike last month, and agreed to raise wages by up to 25 percent. (REUTERS)