Ford plant gives in to the demands of Canadian workers
Working conditions will become measurably better, and this is an important precedent.
One of Canada's largest unions, Unifor, has ratified a three-year agreement with Ford plant management. The company's management has been able to meet the workers' demands in order to avoid a strike.
The agreement directly affects 5,600 employed Canadians and provides them with improved working conditions and wage. Among other things, the parties agreed on hourly rate increases, living wage benefits and improved pension plans. The union also bargained for better health insurance terms and added two more holidays to the list of paid holidays: Family Day (the third Monday in February) and National Truth and Reconciliation Day (September 30).
Ford also guaranteed wage increases in each year of the agreement of 10% in the first year, 2% in the second year and 3% in the third year. An increase in the starting rate was negotiated and norms for bonuses were set. The productivity bonus for full-time employees will be CA$ 10,000 and CA$ 4,000 for part-time employees.
The union's agreement with Ford came against the backdrop of Unifor's success with Metro and the grand debut of transportation selection in Express Entry, showing that Canada does need skilled workers in the sector.
Once the Ford deal is ratified, Unifor can move on to trying to do the same thing again with other major automakers: the Stellantis and General Motors.
