"This strike is about General Motors stubbornly refusing to meet the pattern agreement. The company knows our members will never let GM break our pattern – not today – not ever"
Four striking General Motors workers hold picket signs (images via CNW Group/Unifor)
Unifor has announced that over 4,200 workers are out on strike today at General Motors in Canada after the company refused to meet the pattern agreement that was established with Ford.
According to a Unifor press release:
Unifor members began strike action at General Motors at midnight.
"This strike is about General Motors stubbornly refusing to meet the pattern agreement. The company knows our members will never let GM break our pattern – not today – not ever," said Unifor National President Lana Payne. "The company continues to fall short on our pension demands, income supports for retired workers, and meaningful steps to transition temporary workers into permanent, full-time jobs."
The strike includes approximately 4,280 autoworkers at the Oshawa Assembly Complex and CCA Stamped Products, St. Catharines Powertrain Plant and Woodstock Parts Distribution Centre. The union's pattern agreement was established in the ratified collective agreement with Ford of Canada.
The members from Unifor Locals 222, 199 and 636 will remain on strike until the pattern is met. Unifor Local 88 members at the CAMI Assembly Plant in Ingersoll, Ontario are covered by a separate collective agreement and will continue operations.
"Our bargaining team was crystal clear with the company throughout these negotiations: our members are united and ready to strike, no exceptions," said Unifor GM Master Bargaining Chair Jason Gale. "Everything our members do, from the trucks we assemble, the stamping plant we run, the engines and transmissions we build and the parts we deliver, are all critical to GM's bottom line. This dispute can only end one way: with GM agreeing to the same terms in our pattern agreement with Ford."
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