Unifor is leaning towards selecting Ford Motor Co. of Canada Ltd. because the goal automaker for this yr’s contract negotiations, because the union appears to grab a “once-in-a-lifetime” alternative to set the benchmark for what good jobs appear like within the electrical car period.
Union President Lana Payne mentioned no remaining determination has been made, however Unifor is “severely contemplating” setting this yr’s collective bargaining sample with the Dearborn, Mich.-based automaker.
“There’s a continuity with Ford that we see as advantageous. In 2020, Ford was the primary to step up with commitments to the brand new EV investments, and we at the moment are on the cusp of seeing these investments come to fruition at Oakville. I see this as a little bit of unfinished enterprise for our union.”
Payne shared the union’s thought processes with reporters in Toronto Aug. 10, shortly after delivering weighty binders of union calls for to the automakers and holding temporary conferences with prime negotiators from every of the Detroit Three.
Ford has additionally demonstrated “a willingness to dialogue,” and publicly signalled its “want to draft a blueprint for the long run transition by bargaining,” Payne added.
Amongst different rationales, Payne mentioned the corporate and union have a “good working relationship,” with Ford offering probably the most transparency into its plans for Canada in quarterly updates with the union. She mentioned Unifor additionally has the “clearest image” of how the retooled Oakville Electrical Automobile Advanced will look, which gives the union a “helpful baseline with which to barter.”
Ford detailed plans this April for a $1.8 billion retool of the plant southwest of Toronto, which incorporates each car and battery pack meeting areas. The corporate additionally operates two engine crops in Windsor however has not laid out what position these services will play because the business shifts to EVs.
FORD ‘PLEASED’ BY NEWS
In response to Payne’s feedback, Steve Majer, vice-president of human sources at Ford of Canada, mentioned the corporate is “happy” Unifor is contemplating selecting Ford to guide off this spherical of bargaining.
“Now we have a protracted historical past of working collaboratively with Unifor and stay up for making a blueprint for the Canadian automotive business that builds a vibrant and sustainable future for our workers, our clients, our Ford enterprise and our communities,” he advised Automotive Information Canada in an emailed assertion.
If Unifor follows by with Ford because the goal, it could be the second consecutive spherical of bargaining that the automaker set the sample. The union additionally opted to start the method with Ford in the newest spherical of talks in 2020.
Payne, nevertheless, mentioned a agency determination hasn’t been made.
“There’s nonetheless loads of time and our thought course of might shift over that interval. The ultimate determination will possible come over the course of the following month.”
After permitting the automakers roughly 10 days to digest the union’s proposals, Unifor expects bargaining talks to start in earnest Aug. 21.
The union plans to carry strike votes Aug. 26 and 27, a customary step that can give staff the suitable to stroll off the job the next month if new offers aren’t finalized. Unifor’s present collective agreements with Ford, Common Motors and Stellantis expire Sept. 18.