Canadian labor union Unifor has outlined 29 separate recommendations that it says will help reinvigorate the Canadian automotive industry, create new unionized jobs and advance equity and inclusion throughout the country’s auto workplaces and related communities.
The union, which represents hourly workers at GM facilities in Canada, outlined the recommendations in a policy document released this week entitled ‘Navigating the road ahead – rebuilding Canada’s powerhouse auto sector’, which it says is the “product of months of work by production and skilled trades members in auto assembly and auto parts manufacturing.” The document was released following this week’s election of Unifor president Lana Payne, who was named acting president earlier this year following the abrupt departure of former president Jerry Dias.
Lana Payne
Unifor’s recommendations include creating a new Ministry of Automotive Supply Chain Development role in the Ontario provincial government, implementing pro-auto industry fair trade policies, supporting domestic battery-grade materials production, introducing new EV purchase incentives and legislating employment equity. The entire 44-page document can be viewed via Unifor’s website at this link.
“We have all the ingredients necessary to transition to electric vehicle manufacturing and grow our economy, while creating good union jobs and reducing Canada’s carbon footprint all at the same time,” Payne said in a prepared statement.
Unifor says it has made the policy document “available to governments, industry analysts, stakeholders, automakers and journalists,” ahead of its upcoming national lobby week in the fall.
“With more than $10 billion invested in the sector, we have the opportunity to build on this incredible momentum. Governments, industry and workers have to continue to work together and implement this ambitious and comprehensive plan,” John D’Agnolo, Chair of the Unifor Auto Council that represents Canadian employees of Ford, GM and Stellantis, said in a prepared statement.
GM facilities in Canada with Unifor-represented workforces include GM St. Catharines Propulsion, GM Oshawa Assembly and GM CAMI assembly,
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