On September 24, Ford and its Canadian autoworkers approved a new labor contract, preventing a strike that had been threatened and possibly setting the stage for a similar action by the United Auto Workers at American carmaker sites.
According to the Canadian autoworkers’ organization, Unifor, the new agreement increases basic hourly pay for manufacturing workers by about 20% over three years and more than 25% for trade workers. It also adds a cost-of-living adjustment, a system that raises compensation by inflation, and a $10,000 bonus for permanent employees.
Unifor represents 5,680 Ford workers and 14,000 GM and Stellantis workers in Canada. Moreover, Lana Payne, the national president of the Canadian auto union Unifor, declared after their agreement: “This is an incredible deal, and I know that people’s lives will change as a result of what’s here.”
Ford defined the deal as a 15% wage rise over three years. However, the union claims that the number does not consider the initial cost-of-living increase or the compounding of each annual growth.
One week has passed since the UAW began its historic work stoppages against significant auto manufacturers. After the union’s contract with those businesses ended at Midnight on September 14, the UAW started conducting targeted strikes against General Motors, Stellantis, and Ford. At the time, 13,000 workers walked out at three assembly factories.
