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TORONTO, Nov. 6, 2016 /CNW/ - Unifor concludes negotiations with the Detroit Three automakers, after members ratify a four-year contract with Ford securing $713 million in investment, new product, more than 500 jobs, and wage improvements.
"With the Ford ratification, our union has secured more good, unionized jobs at all of the Detroit Three automakers," said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. "We solidified a footprint for the future of auto in Canada and none of this would have happened if our union was not willing to fight for principles and to do it together."
All three tentative agreements with Ford were ratified by members. Across all bargaining units, the contract was approved with a vote of 58 per cent. This number is broken down as, production members voting 56 per cent and skilled trades with 72 per cent. The office units represented by Local 240 in Windsor ratified with 97 per cent, while Local 1324 in Bramalea had 100 per cent approval. The new agreement achieved the union's top priority to secure investment, product and jobs at the Windsor operations and it follows the pattern of financial gains achieved with GM and Fiat-Chrysler.
"Bargaining is always tough, but reaching this contract was no small feat. I am proud of our collective efforts that made it possible," said Unifor Ford Bargaining Committee Chair, Chris Taylor at Local 200 in Windsor. "We now have a solid path that will bring back those on lay-off and offer our members the job security they deserve for the coming years."
Ford employs more than 6,700 Unifor members. Highlights of the new contract include:
- A total of $713 million in investment and engine product commitments;
- Two general wage increases of 2% each over the life of the contract;
- A signing bonus of $6,000 and a $2,000 lump sum in the second, third and fourth year of the contract, both of which total $12,000 over the next four years;
- Significant improvements to the in-progression wage grid that will provide thousands of dollars of new money in income earnings and higher pay to new members (under ten years of service);
- Benefit improvements and a 50% reduction of the health deductible for retirees;
- An improved Team Leader rate; and
- Significant work practice improvements for operations and facilities.
"Our success in these negotiations should be a reminder to all employers and the government about the kind of jobs and economy that Unifor is fighting for," Dias said.
For background information on all sets of Detroit Three talks, go to www.unifor.org/AutoTalks16. Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing more than 310,000 workers, including 23,050 at the Detroit Three companies. It was formed Labour Day weekend 2013 when the Canadian Auto Workers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers union merged.
SOURCE Unifor
