Members of Unifor, Canada’s largest union in the private sector, employed at Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), General Motors (NYSE: GM), and Stellantis (NYSE: STLA), have delivered resounding strike mandates.
These mandates grant the respective bargaining committees the authority to initiate job action if necessary, as negotiations continue with the Detroit Three (D3) automakers.
The resolute support for strike mandates underscores the unity of Canadian autoworkers behind their bargaining committees’ efforts to secure equitable collective agreements. Key objectives include enhancing pension plans, augmenting wages, and ensuring the creation of quality union jobs in the evolving electric vehicle (EV) landscape.
Unifor National President Lana Payne asserted the unity and determination of the union, emphasizing the backing of members throughout the auto sector. The negotiation process had temporarily halted to vote on strike action over the weekend, yielding overwhelming results: 98.9% in favor at Ford, 99% at General Motors, and 98.1% at Stellantis.
The existing collective agreements with the Detroit Three are set to expire at the stroke of midnight on September 18, 2023. Formal negotiations commenced on August 10 in Toronto, Unifor represents a workforce of 18,000 autoworkers covered by collective agreements.
The vote comes as Detroit Three workers in the United Auto Workers (UAW) union in the US also voted to authorize a strike if they fail to meet an agreement before their current content expires on September 14. The UAW represents about 150,000 workers.
Information for this story was found via Unifor, and the sources and companies mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to the organizations discussed. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
