Ford avoids Canadian auto strike with Unifor union deal

DETROIT – Ford Motor averted having to face labor strikes on each side of the U.S.-Canada border Tuesday evening, because the automaker and Canadian union Unifor introduced a tentative deal protecting 5,600 autoworkers within the nation’s Ontario windfall.

The Detroit automaker and union introduced the settlement — which should nonetheless be ratified by members — hours before an extended 11:59 p.m. Tuesday deadline. The sides prolonged the talks by 24 hours following Ford’s last-minute proposal Monday evening to Unifor.

The Canadian tentative settlement was reached on day 5 of the United Auto Workers union initiating focused strikes towards Ford and its crosstown rivals General Motors and Chrysler-parent Stellantis.

A Unifor strike would have impacted Ford’s Oakville Assembly Plant that produces the Ford Edge and Lincoln Nautilus crossovers in addition to two engine vegetation that produce V8 engines utilized in key merchandise such because the Ford F-Series pickups and Mustang muscle automobile.

Ford and Unifor declined to instantly launch particulars of the settlement, which Lana Payne, nationwide president of the union, stated “addresses the entire objects raised by members in preparation for this spherical of collective bargaining.”

“We imagine that this settlement will solidify the foundations on which we are going to proceed to cut price beneficial properties for generations of autoworkers in Canada,” she stated in a statement Tuesday evening.

Unifor, which represents 18,000 Canadian staff on the Detroit automakers, took a extra conventional method to its negotiations than its U.S. counterpart did. The Canadian union picked Ford as its “goal” firm as an alternative of following the UAW’s new technique of bargaining with all three automakers. It additionally introduced a standard nationwide strike, if wanted, as an alternative of focused ones.

The union is anticipated to launch particulars of the settlement to members within the coming days, adopted by a vote. If ratified, the deal can be used as a sample for Unifor to cut price with GM and Stellantis.

Ford will now deal with its talks with the UAW. Shawn Fain, president of the union, stated Monday that the union will announce further strikes at U.S. vegetation if the Detroit automakers don’t make “serious progress” in negotiations by midday ET Friday.

Currently on strike are roughly 12,700 UAW staff from GM’s midsize truck and full-size van plant in Wentzville, Missouri; Ford’s Ranger midsize pickup and Bronco SUV plant in Wayne, Michigan; and Stellantis’ Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator plant in Toledo, Ohio.