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Formal contract talks between Unifor and the Detroit Three automakers have officially begun, with the top priority of securing new investment and product in Canada.
"These are perhaps the most important auto contract talks in a generation," said Unifor National President Jerry Dias, who is leading the negotiations.
"There will be no deals with any of the companies without commitments from each of them for investments in Canada."
These are the first set of Detroit Three auto talks since the merger of the CAW with CEP in 2013. Talks formally opened on August 10, with a pattern bargaining target to be identified in early September.
With pattern bargaining, negotiations focus on one company, establishing a pattern that will model the contracts with the other automakers. Once a deal is ratified with the pattern target, focus shifts to the next company, and then the third.
"This system has served both the companies and the workers well, ensuring we don't have a race to the bottom and can maintain good jobs and strong communities," said Local 200 President Chris Taylor, Chair of the Master Bargaining Committee.
At its meeting June 1, Unifor's Auto Council, with elected representatives from every bargaining unit involved in this round of talks, voted unanimously to make new investments in Canada, including new product allocations, the top priority of the talks.
New investments will secure good jobs in this country, and a stable future for our communities and our children. While the top priority will be new product, Dias said workers helped the companies weather the financial storm of 2008-9 and deserve to reap the rewards - just as shareholders and top executives have done over the last few years.
"The automakers’ relative health and the strength of the North American auto market make now the ideal time to invest,” Dias said.
Across Canada, the economic impact of having an auto industry in this country is massive. A decline in that industry would hurt all Canadians -- and that's why Unifor is standing up for good jobs, healthy communities and a future for our young people during this round of negotiations.
For full details of the formal contract talks openings and press conferences visit unifor.org/AutoTalks16.
