(Toronto) The likelihood of a strike at Ford Motor of Canada increases as the current contract nears expiration without a deal being reached, the Unifor union warned Monday.
In an update late Monday afternoon, the union said it was telling its 5,600 members at Ford to be prepared for all scenarios, including a strike, when the contract expires at end of the day.
“Unifor bargaining committees continue to engage with Ford Motor Company ahead of the midnight strike deadline,” Unifor National President Lana Payne said in a statement.
“Even if we stay at the table, the likelihood of a strike increases by the hour. »
Unifor said it was focused on improving pensions, raising wages and ensuring good jobs in a future that will be dominated by electric vehicles.
The union is negotiating with Ford in hopes of reaching an agreement that could serve as a model for workers at other major automakers, General Motors and Stellantis.
Unifor members at Ford have voted 98.9% to strike if the bargaining committee fails to secure a new collective agreement.
Talks continue as auto workers represented by the United Auto Workers union in the United States are on the picket line.
Some 13,000 U.S. auto workers began striking last week, targeting one plant at each of the three Detroit automakers.