Ford and Unifor Reach Tentative Three-Year Contract After 6,000 Layoffs at Three Automakers

Ford Motor Company and Unifor reached a tentative three-year labour contract, Cbc reported. The union represents roughly 5,000 workers at five plants in southern Ontario and one plant in Alberta. Ford workers will vote on the agreement between July 17 and July 19, according to Unifor.

Ratification results will be released after the final vote. Ford of Canada said it will not discuss specifics of the tentative agreement to respect the ratification process. Unifor began negotiations with Ford at the end of last month.

The union chose to start with Ford because the automaker has been most committed to continuing operations in Canada. Unifor is negotiating new contracts with Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis covering nearly 19,000 members. Existing collective agreements between Unifor and the three automakers expire on September 20.

The union began talks earlier than usual due to worsening economic conditions. Approximately 6,000 workers have been laid off across plants owned by Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis.