Canadian automakers have joined their U.S. counterparts in authorizing strike action should union negotiators fail to secure new collective agreements before they expire in the coming months.
Unifor, which represents 18,000 Canadian autoworkers at General Motors Company (NYSE:GM), Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F), and Stellantis NV (NYSE:STLA, EPA:STLA), said that between 98% and 99% of its members voted in favor of the strike action.
The vote took place over the weekend during a pause in bargaining talks, which were initiated on August 10.
The current set of collective agreements with the three automakers, known as the Detroit Three (D3), expire at 11.59pm on September 18, 2023.
“Canadian autoworkers have sent a strong message to D3 automakers that they are united behind our bargaining committees in an effort to improve pensions, increase wages, and secure good, union jobs in the EV future,” Unifor National President Lana Payne said in a statement.
“Our bargaining teams are set to resume negotiations with the unwavering support of Unifor members across the auto sector. Make no mistake, our union is fully prepared to take any and all necessary action to achieve our collective bargaining objectives.”
Across the border, the U.S. Auto Workers Union, who are also in talks with the D3, on Friday also authorized strike action should negotiations fail to produce new agreements.
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