Employees at the CAMI Assembly plant in Ingersoll, Ont. were surprised to learn of a few details in their new three-year agreement with General Motors. At the ratification vote Saturday in Woodstock, Ont. members of Unifor Local 88 learned of the company’s intent to keep the CAMI plant open during the duration of the deal and also the potential for a new vehicle. “It’s a three-year deal with General Motors and I think it’s an important agreement,” said Mark Gee, the plant chairperson. There was also wage increases, extended benefits for those whose were about to expire and productivity and quality bonuses for laid-off employees. “In my opinion, it is a best case scenario,” said employee Peggy Falkingham. After Canadian auto assembly plants were hit with 25 per cent tariffs last year, auto workers were laid off. Months later, General Motors ended production of the Brightdrop vehicle in Ingersoll. It’s been a difficult stretch since then for employees to make ends meet. “I come from a family that is dual income from General Motors,” said Falkingham. “My husband also works at CAMI as well, so it is difficult. It’s a whole new family structure that we have to work around. And still the uncertainty of our future is definitely there.” Gee says it’s been tough for members going all the way back to the beginning of the pandemic. As they attended the meeting Saturday, Unifor members were worried they were about to hear about a plant closure. Instead, they learned of a potential future. “I’m surprised about the future opportunity for a new vehicle,” said Todd Sleeper, a CAMI employee. “If there’s a military contract, then Cami gets first crack at building that that military vehicle. That sounds positive.” In the letter from General Motors to the union, it states that if the Government of Canada approves a Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) contact, the company will discuss with Unifor the potential allocation of GM Defence work to CAMI Assembly. If the CAF contract is awarded, CAMI will be first consideration. “It’s the carrot dangling in front of us,” said Falkingham. “We’ll take it, because right now that’s what we have to take. If that is a possibility in the future, I’m sure everyone would jump on it to be able to get back in the plant.” While employees don’t have all the answers, the do know they have a shot at returning to work and finishing out their pension. “There is hope for a future,” added Falkingham. “They’re not closing the doors. That is that is a big thing right there.” Statement from GM Canada Today marks an important moment for GM Canada. With the ratification of new three-year collective agreements with Unifor, we have reached an outcome that supports our employees, strengthens our manufacturing operations and provides a solid foundation for GM’s future in Canada. Thank you to Lana Payne, Unifor National President, Trevor Longpre, Unifor General Motors Master Bargaining Committee Chairperson, Chris Waugh, Unifor General Motors Master Bargaining Committee Vice-Chairperson, our Unifor partners, and the GM and Unifor bargaining teams for their professionalism, respect and commitment throughout this process. Reaching an agreement requires collaboration and a shared focus on the future. Recognizing the Contributions of Our People The new agreements include meaningful improvements to wages, benefits and job security, and recognize the valuable contributions of our represented employees while helping sustain good-paying jobs that have long been a cornerstone of Canada’s automotive industry. Our represented employees play a critical role in GM Canada’s success. Their skill, dedication and commitment to quality help ensure the vehicles we build continue to earn the trust of customers across North America. Building on Our Commitment to North American Manufacturing Today, we are also announcing significant new and reaffirmed investments that further strengthen GM’s manufacturing footprint in Canada. Together, planned investments in Oshawa and St. Catharines total approximately C$1.4 billion over the next three years, reinforcing the important role Canadian operations will continue to play in GM’s North American manufacturing network. At Oshawa Assembly, an additional C$144 million investment will bring next-generation GMC Sierra Heavy-Duty production to the plant, building on the previously announced C$343 million investment in next-generation truck production and manufacturing enhancements. Together, these investments bring total planned investment in Oshawa to nearly C$500 million. This is an important addition for Oshawa, for GM Canada and for our customers. It means Oshawa will now build both of GM’s next-generation heavy-duty trucks, the GMC Sierra HD and the Chevrolet Silverado HD, strengthening the plant’s role in one of the company’s most important vehicle segments while building more of the trucks Canadians rely on every day. At St. Catharines Propulsion, a new C$215 million investment establishes the plant as the sole source for an important next-generation transmission. Combined with the previously announced C$691 million for sixth-generation V8 engine production, total investment in St. Catharines now exceeds C$900 million, securing high-value jobs and the plant’s future. For our team at CAMI Assembly, we have extended layoff benefits to reflect our continued commitment to support employees while we take the necessary time to assess potential opportunities for the site. GM’s Presence Across Canada While today’s announcement includes important investments in manufacturing, GM Canada’s presence is built on a broad ecosystem that spans vehicle engineering, software development, sales and customer care, parts distribution, and corporate operations. That includes our Canadian Technical Centre, where more than 1,000 engineers, developers and technical experts are helping advance the next generation of vehicle technology, software and testing. As Canada’s vehicle sales leader, our success is powered by approximately 450 Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac dealerships employing over 20,000 Canadians and serving customers in communities across the country. Together, our people, dealers and operations contribute to local economies, support communities and advance innovation. Their contributions help strengthen GM’s North American business and underscore the important role Canada continues to play in our shared success. Looking Ahead The strength of GM Canada has always been our people. Their expertise, dedication and commitment will continue to shape our future and the role we play in Canada’s automotive industry. I am optimistic about the future and confident in what we can achieve together. Jack Uppal President and Managing Director GM Canada
