With time ticking down to the last minute, Unifor and the Ford Motor Company confirmed a tentative agreement. Speaking on behalf of the over 5,600 members connected to Ford’s Canadian factories, Unifor National President Lana Payne affirmed that the deal encompasses all issues brought forward by the union.
“The tentative agreement under discussion, which has received full endorsement from the master bargaining committee, provides satisfactory solutions to the issues that our members identified before the commencement of this collective bargaining process,” declared Payne. “We have full confidence that this agreement will establish a strong foundation for future bargaining, securing enhancements for generations of Canadian auto workers.”
The previous collective agreement between Unifor and Ford had concluded at the stroke of midnight, early Tuesday. The bargaining session was protracted for an additional 24 hours after an offer of substance was put forth moments before the first deadline. Regardless, Unifor supplanted the continued deliberations with a word of caution to its members, urging them to remain prepared for a potential strike.
The press release clarified that the foreseen agreement would safeguard the interests of Unifor members belonging to the distinct local chapters 707, 200, 584, 1087, 240, and 1324 at Ford’s plants and parts distribution centres scattered across Ontario and Alberta.
Speaking on this, Unifor Ford Master Bargaining Chair John D’Agnolo pointed out, “Next to creating a master agreement, each Ford facility presented a unique array of challenges that needed to be confronted directly by our committees at the negotiation table. The breakthrough we have achieved promises to deliver gains that respond to our members’ present needs and also secure their economic future.”
Payne took the opportunity to acknowledge the union’s bargaining team. “Overcoming extraordinary and exceptional challenges, our team managed to deliver on the priorities of our members, for which they deserve our gratitude,” Payne stated.
The union declared that the specifics of the agreed terms would initially be shared with Unifor members at Ford in upcoming ratification meetings. In its recent spate of negotiations with Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis, Unifor identified Ford as the primary focus among the triplets headquartered in Detroit, as revealed in an announcement made on August 29.