Thousands of unionized autoworkers across Canada may be looking at three consecutive years of three percent wage bumps under a tentative labour agreement struck between Unifor and Ford Motor Company.
The union unveiled the broad strokes of the proposed contract on Saturday, following marathon negotiations with the automaker’s bargaining team. According to Unifor representatives, the tentative pact also includes fresh assurances from Ford that it intends to keep operating the facilities where its unionized workforce is employed a provision aimed at giving workers some long-term job security.
Beyond wages and plant commitments, the union says Ford has pledged more than $1 million in fresh investment directed toward its Ontario operations, specifically the Windsor and Oakville plants.
Union members will now have their say. Unifor says voting on the proposed deal is underway, with results expected to be announced Sunday.
The timing of the negotiations is notable. Talks between Unifor and Ford kicked off on June 22, right around the point when labour agreements with all three Detroit-based automakers were nearing their expiration dates. As it did during the previous bargaining cycle in 2023, Unifor chose to sit down with Ford first, using that agreement as a potential template or pattern-setter for talks with the other manufacturers.
For now, further details remain limited. Unifor officials indicated they would not be available to speak with media until Monday, leaving many specifics of the tentative agreement including the full scope of benefits, working conditions, and other contract terms still under wraps until the union is ready to discuss them publicly.
Workers and industry observers alike will be watching closely as Sunday’s vote results come in, with the outcome likely to set the tone for Unifor’s upcoming negotiations with the other major automakers.
