They were among nearly 4,300 to walk off the job, including at plants in St. Catharines and Woodstock, after the strike deadline of midnight passed. Unifor, the union representing the workers, is accusing GM of not following the pattern agreement reached with Ford first. The goal was to use the Ford agreement as a blueprint for deals with GM and Stellantis. “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.” Unifor Local 88 members at the CAMI Assembly Plant in Ingersoll are covered by a separate 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 Gal