Unifor has obtained and rejected two “financial” provides from Ford Motor Co. of Canada, union President Lana Payne advised members Thursday, as contract talks bear down on the Sept. 18 expiry of the 2 events’ present deal.

“These provides didn’t come near assembly our expectations,” she mentioned on the Sheraton Centre in Toronto, the place bargaining has been underneath manner since Aug. 10.    

The union is “assembly resistance” from Ford on a number of precedence points, Payne added, together with pension and wage enhancements for members. She didn’t disclose particulars of the provides, and mentioned the union has no plans to publicize specifics till the bargaining committee has a tentative settlement to take to members.

Whereas appreciable distance stays between the 2 sides, Payne mentioned, “talks have under no circumstances stalled” and there may be “constructive dialogue” in sure areas.

John D’Agnolo, chair of Unifor’s Ford grasp bargaining committee, mentioned the union didn’t enter talks anticipating them to be simple.

“I’m hopeful that we are going to get there, however we’ve to plan and be prepared for each potential situation.”

Unifor picked Ford Aug. 29 as its goal automaker after roughly two weeks of concurrent talks with the Detroit Three. At that time, it paused negotiations with Normal Motors and Stellantis.

Payne didn’t tackle whether or not the union would contemplate putting if an settlement with Ford will not be reached earlier than Tuesday, however famous the union can be in place to take action.

By that time, employees at Detroit Three crops in america could already be off the job. The UAW’s contracts with the three automakers was set to run out Sept. 14 with little prospect of a deal.

Payne acknowledged {that a} strike in america was sure to have an effect on Canadian auto crops, but it surely was too quickly to evaluate the fallout.

“We don’t know but although what the extent of that influence will likely be till, and if, a labour dispute happens.”

Unifor plans to proceed bargaining with Ford till its personal Sept. 18 contract expiry, Payne mentioned, however mentioned the automaker must up its provide.

“Now could be the time for constructive dialogue to translate into constructive outcomes. There are only some days left earlier than the deadline, so Ford Motor Co. wants to return to the desk with a critical provide that strikes us towards a ratifiable tentative settlement.”