The auto sector is falling before the power of labor unions, but the state is not

Canadian unions continue their relentless fight for workers' rights. So the largest of them, called Unifor, has won another landslide victory — and again in the auto industry. On Monday, it reached an agreement with Stellantis, a multinational automobile manufacturing corporation.

"The agreement puts in place all the elements of our pattern agreement, the protections autoworkers need throughout the EV transition, and next-generation products our members will build for years to come," said Unifor Stellantis Master Bargaining Chair James Stewart.

It follows the pattern agreement for auto industry workers that Unifor has developed and has already managed to strike with General Motors and Ford Motor Co.

What Unifor has achieved for Stellantis workers

For Stellantis, the agreement means wage increases of nearly 20 percent for production workers and 25 percent for skilled laborers and general annual wage increases. The union also negotiated a living wage benefit, improved pension plans and the addition of paid vacations.

Negotiations initially failed, leading to a short strike on Sunday. The parties then negotiated throughout the night and reached an agreement. That same day, the union was successful in negotiations with St. Lawrence Seaway Corp.

Another strike in Quebec.

Things are not so good for public employees in the province of Quebec. There, three union federations representing more than 400,000 public sector workers once again failed to accept the Quebec government's offer. As a result, it was announced that it was ready to proceed with strike plans.

"We had hope," said Magali Picard, president of the Quebec Workers' Federation. — Instead, the government has continued with “the same tone of arrogance and insults towards the 420,000 workers we represent."

The unions, which have received strike mandates from their members, say they are sticking to their plan for a one-day strike. It is scheduled for Nov. 6, but could be followed by further action, including a full strike, if no results are forthcoming.

The Provincial Treasury describes the proposed (and rejected) terms as follows: a 10.3% wage increase over five years and a lump sum payment of CA$ 1,000 to each employee. in the first year of the contract. The proposal also includes additional raises, such as for nurses working nights, evenings and weekends, and for teacher assistants in secondary schools.

Negotiations began about a year ago, at which time the unions made their first demands. They want a three-year contract with raises tied to the consumer price index. It also calls for another 2% for the first year (or CA$ 100 per week — whichever is greater) and a raise tied to the consumer price index (plus 3% for the second year and 4% for the third).