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Representatives from auto worker unions in Canada, Mexico and the United States of America joined together at the first ever Tri-national Auto Workers Summit, held in Mexico City November 18-19, 2024.
Summit discussions focused on raising working standards, advocating for trade policies that put workers’ interests first. and responses to common threats and challenges faced by North America’s auto workers, particularly with the upcoming review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) in 2026.
“The North American auto assembly industry is deeply interconnected and with so much disruption from rapid technological change, market adjustments and a shifting political landscape, workers must have a strong voice now more than ever,” said Unifor Auto Council Chair and Unifor Ford Master Bargaining Chair John D’Agnolo.
Representatives from Unifor attended the Summit, including D’Agnolo, who also serves as President of Unifor Local 200, Stellantis Master Bargaining Chair James Stewart, General Motors Master Bargaining Chair Jason Gale, Ford Oakville Assembly Complex Chairperson Marc Brennan, Unifor Assistant to the National Officers Shane Wark, Unifor International Director Navjeet Sidhu and Unifor Research Director Angelo DiCaro.
More than 60 delegates representing five auto worker unions across North America participated in the summit. The Canadian contingent was joined by Mexican labour leaders from SINTTIA, SITAUDI and SITIAVW, and the United Auto Workers (UAW) from the U.S. Representatives from the Mexico labour organization, CILAS – current Unifor partners on the ongoing Mexico Workers’ Rights Action Project – were also in attendance and hosts for the Summit.
“It was crucial to bring together autoworkers from across the continent to hold frank discussions on the need to improve trade rules that benefit workers when it comes time to renegotiate CUSMA,” said James Stewart, Stellantis Master Bargaining Chair and President of Unifor Local 444.
The unions engaged in discussions on using the upcoming CUSMA review as an opportunity to strengthen the Labour Chapter, particularly the Rapid Response Mechanism that has been a useful tool in supporting workers’ rights, despite its current limitations.
Delegates also addressed collective bargaining, new member organizing, and shared threats to autoworkers and their jobs created by unfair trade practices, including further discussion on imports from China, emerging technologies, and the transition to electric vehicle manufacturing.
“We will not allow multi-national corporations or governments to pit workers against each other. Our priority is to develop the best tactics and strategies that will protect our members’ jobs and ensure that working in the auto sector means earning good wages, retiring with dignity and having a union that has your back,” said Jason Gale, Chairperson of GM Oshawa.
Delegates also listened to firsthand accounts from rank-and-file Mexican workers on their difficult and dangerous working conditions and their struggles in securing independent union representation – reinforcing the need for international solidarity.
“It sends a strong message to governments and automakers that workers across North America reject the politics of division and will advocate for raising working standards so that the people who generate enormous profit for international corporations receive their fair share of the wealth,” said Navjeet Sidhu, Unifor International Director.
The summit concluded with agreement on further joint solidarity work, including greater information sharing and technical discussions on potential trade reforms ahead of the 2026 CUSMA review.
