Canadian auto workers from the Unifor union have launched a strike at General Motors (GM).
In a message posted on the union’s website, Unifor National President Lana Payne said the decision affects all GM union members in Ontario at the Oshawa Assembly Complex and at CCA Stamped Products, in the St. Catharines powertrain plant and the Woodstock parts distribution center.
Mme Payne explains the strike by the company’s refusal to agree on the union’s demands in terms of standard negotiations on pensions and other assistance for retirees. She says there are also unresolved differences when it comes to ensuring that part-time temporary workers can aspire to permanent employment.
The strike involves approximately 4,280 auto workers from Locals 222, 199 and 636. Members of Unifor Local 88 at the CAMI assembly plant in Ingersoll, Ontario, are covered by a separate collective agreement and they will continue their activities.
Officials say its members will remain on strike until the union’s standard agreement, as established in the collective agreement ratified with Ford of Canada, is respected.
General Motors released a statement on social media noting that while very positive progress has been made on several key priorities, the company is disappointed that it was unable to reach a new collective agreement. GM adds that it is willing to stay at the negotiating table.
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