rmc523 Posted June 5 Share Posted June 5 Back in September 2023, the Canadian union Unifor reached a tentative agreement on a new three-year contract with Ford, which prevented a strike from occurring. It was subsequently ratified by workers, laying the groundwork for other automakers to sign similar agreements as well. Now, we're on the cusp of that contract coming to an end, which means that it's time for Unifor and automakers to hammer out a new one. However, the union isn't looking to concede any ground to Ford or its peers during those talks. “We are not going backwards,” Unifor President Lana Payne told the union's members recently, according to Automotive News. “We will make progress, and that includes fighting for the Detroit Three Unifor members currently on layoff. We are approaching these contract negotiations with determination, but also with realism. The stakes are incredibly high and we need to take the most disciplined, strategic approach possible. We’re dealing with U.S, tariffs and unrelenting trade aggression. This uncertainty is freezing investment decisions and keeping members out of work." The union also opted to go with Ford this time around as it's the only one of its peers that has maintained its Canadian manufacturing presence since tariffs were imposed in the spring of 2025. Stellantis began retooling its Brampton Assembly plant in February, but opted to shift that facility's product plans to the U.S. amid tariffs, and it's currently idle. As for GM, it idled its CAMI Assembly plant last year after ending production of BrightDrop vans there, and also cut the third shift from its Oshawa Assembly plant in January. I know they have to do the whole public posture "tough guy" thing, but playing hardball with the lone company that kept stuff going seems like a great idea.... lol 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zestyg Posted June 5 Share Posted June 5 Union guy (diff union) this demeanor is nothing unusual for negotiations and won’t have any bearing on Ford’s approach. It’s certainly a good aspiration but I wouldn’t take it as an indication of a more or less bold approach. It’s not the showmanship of Fain for example, which was mainly meant to signal membership IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzymoomoo Posted June 5 Share Posted June 5 2 hours ago, Zestyg said: Union guy (diff union) this demeanor is nothing unusual for negotiations and won’t have any bearing on Ford’s approach. It’s certainly a good aspiration but I wouldn’t take it as an indication of a more or less bold approach. It’s not the showmanship of Fain for example, which was mainly meant to signal membership IMO. It wouldn’t shock me to see Fain not survive the coming election. I certainly hope he doesn’t. I’ve already gotten the impression he’s going to strike no matter what and we don’t need that. 3 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zestyg Posted June 5 Share Posted June 5 (edited) 19 hours ago, fuzzymoomoo said: It wouldn’t shock me to see Fain not survive the coming election. I certainly hope he doesn’t. I’ve already gotten the impression he’s going to strike no matter what and we don’t need that. . Edited June 6 by Zestyg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzymoomoo Posted June 5 Share Posted June 5 2 hours ago, Zestyg said: I’m a rep for another union and am ideologically/relationally committed to Fain’s faction, so the way I analyze it is prob different from you, but given he is trying to claw back Great Recession concessions he probably needs at least a powerful strike threat to get that. Any employer let alone Ford doesn’t really give that without being forced these days. I am a bit skeptical of how successful 2028 will be personally though. It’s tough to say what his reelection chances look like given the factional evolution, also I am with a diff union so I lack a direct pulse. He has gotten members a fuck of a lot more than his predecessors. Ultimately it’s up to them. 2 years is a long time and a lot can happen between now and May 2028. I have some very close friends with family who have positions down at international and the feeling is it doesn’t matter what the big 3 offer, there will be a strike no matter what and IMO the hill they’re choosing to die on is a fool’s errand. Things from my perspective economically are edging closer to perilousness regardless of what the current Administration wants to claim. If things go the way I think they’re going a strike will be catastrophic to the membership. I would much rather have someone in charge who is tough but much more stoic. I can do without all the posturing Mr. Fain loves. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zestyg Posted June 5 Share Posted June 5 (edited) 15 hours ago, fuzzymoomoo said: 2 years is a long time and a lot can happen between now and May 2028. I have some very close friends with family who have positions down at international and the feeling is it doesn’t matter what the big 3 offer, there will be a strike no matter what and IMO the hill they’re choosing to die on is a fool’s errand. Things from my perspective economically are edging closer to perilousness regardless of what the current Administration wants to claim. If things go the way I think they’re going a strike will be catastrophic to the membership. I would much rather have someone in charge who is tough but much more stoic. I can do without all the posturing Mr. Fain loves. . Edited June 6 by Zestyg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oac98 Posted June 5 Share Posted June 5 Unifor will ram a contract through quickly, we always do 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oac98 Posted June 6 Share Posted June 6 We, Ford of Canada have been picked three times straight by unifor. There will be NO strike! We’re just starting to get back to the plant and it is slow as hell in there as we are only in TT2 phase. NOV 2 is the ok to ship date right now. We aren’t going to strike Ford and Unifor are a partnership as far as I’m concerned. Everytime unifor says they’re gonna strike at the last minute a deal is reached. We are in no position to strike for fuck all right now. I’m just happy to have just got back in the building. Also, the union wants to start negotiations early with ford. I ll keep you guys posted. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbone Posted June 6 Share Posted June 6 3 hours ago, Oac98 said: We, Ford of Canada have been picked three times straight by unifor. There will be NO strike! We’re just starting to get back to the plant and it is slow as hell in there as we are only in TT2 phase. NOV 2 is the ok to ship date right now. We aren’t going to strike Ford and Unifor are a partnership as far as I’m concerned. Everytime unifor says they’re gonna strike at the last minute a deal is reached. We are in no position to strike for fuck all right now. I’m just happy to have just got back in the building. Also, the union wants to start negotiations early with ford. I ll keep you guys posted. I’m glad you are back at it. Hopefully things go smoothly for you and the plant. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oac98 Posted June 6 Share Posted June 6 10 hours ago, tbone said: I’m glad you are back at it. Hopefully things go smoothly for you and the plant. Thanks, things are extremely slow right now and the plant is still under construction. We re getting called back in groups every few days. It’s a massive change in there now the layout from the old edge nautilus mkt flex days. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted June 18 Share Posted June 18 On 6/6/2026 at 10:43 AM, Oac98 said: Thanks, things are extremely slow right now and the plant is still under construction. We re getting called back in groups every few days. It’s a massive change in there now the layout from the old edge nautilus mkt flex days. Did Ford remove the Lincoln logo from the building as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oac98 Posted June 19 Share Posted June 19 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oac98 Posted June 19 Share Posted June 19 19 hours ago, twintornados said: Did Ford remove the Lincoln logo from the building as well? The Lincoln logo lives for now, I’m pretty sure it will be removed at some point 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzymoomoo Posted June 19 Share Posted June 19 3 hours ago, Oac98 said: The Lincoln logo lives for now, I’m pretty sure it will be removed at some point it’s already lasted longer than the one on the building at Flat Rock did. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oac98 Posted June 19 Share Posted June 19 6 hours ago, fuzzymoomoo said: it’s already lasted longer than the one on the building at Flat Rock did. How long did it take them to take the flat rock Lincoln sign down?? OAC still under lots of construction although pre production units very slowly going through. I assume the Lincoln sign will be coming down in the near future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzymoomoo Posted June 19 Share Posted June 19 (edited) 54 minutes ago, Oac98 said: How long did it take them to take the flat rock Lincoln sign down?? OAC still under lots of construction although pre production units very slowly going through. I assume the Lincoln sign will be coming down in the near future. I couldn’t tell you exactly. I just remember noticing it gone one day. *edit: I’ve been notified by a friend that I am wrong, they’re all still there. I don’t live near there anymore so I don’t see it on a daily basis anymore. Edited June 19 by fuzzymoomoo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted June 20 Share Posted June 20 15 hours ago, fuzzymoomoo said: I couldn’t tell you exactly. I just remember noticing it gone one day. *edit: I’ve been notified by a friend that I am wrong, they’re all still there. I don’t live near there anymore so I don’t see it on a daily basis anymore. Google maps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oac98 Posted June 20 Share Posted June 20 21 hours ago, fuzzymoomoo said: I couldn’t tell you exactly. I just remember noticing it gone one day. *edit: I’ve been notified by a friend that I am wrong, they’re all still there. I don’t live near there anymore so I don’t see it on a daily basis anymore. I guess they will just leave the Lincoln sign alone at both plants then although no Lincoln products are there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Rosadini Posted June 22 Share Posted June 22 On 6/5/2026 at 12:52 PM, rmc523 said: Back in September 2023, the Canadian union Unifor reached a tentative agreement on a new three-year contract with Ford, which prevented a strike from occurring. It was subsequently ratified by workers, laying the groundwork for other automakers to sign similar agreements as well. Now, we're on the cusp of that contract coming to an end, which means that it's time for Unifor and automakers to hammer out a new one. However, the union isn't looking to concede any ground to Ford or its peers during those talks. “We are not going backwards,” Unifor President Lana Payne told the union's members recently, according to Automotive News. “We will make progress, and that includes fighting for the Detroit Three Unifor members currently on layoff. We are approaching these contract negotiations with determination, but also with realism. The stakes are incredibly high and we need to take the most disciplined, strategic approach possible. We’re dealing with U.S, tariffs and unrelenting trade aggression. This uncertainty is freezing investment decisions and keeping members out of work." The union also opted to go with Ford this time around as it's the only one of its peers that has maintained its Canadian manufacturing presence since tariffs were imposed in the spring of 2025. Stellantis began retooling its Brampton Assembly plant in February, but opted to shift that facility's product plans to the U.S. amid tariffs, and it's currently idle. As for GM, it idled its CAMI Assembly plant last year after ending production of BrightDrop vans there, and also cut the third shift from its Oshawa Assembly plant in January. I know they have to do the whole public posture "tough guy" thing, but playing hardball with the lone company that kept stuff going seems like a great idea.... lol On 6/5/2026 at 12:52 PM, rmc523 said: Back in September 2023, the Canadian union Unifor reached a tentative agreement on a new three-year contract with Ford, which prevented a strike from occurring. It was subsequently ratified by workers, laying the groundwork for other automakers to sign similar agreements as well. Now, we're on the cusp of that contract coming to an end, which means that it's time for Unifor and automakers to hammer out a new one. However, the union isn't looking to concede any ground to Ford or its peers during those talks. “We are not going backwards,” Unifor President Lana Payne told the union's members recently, according to Automotive News. “We will make progress, and that includes fighting for the Detroit Three Unifor members currently on layoff. We are approaching these contract negotiations with determination, but also with realism. The stakes are incredibly high and we need to take the most disciplined, strategic approach possible. We’re dealing with U.S, tariffs and unrelenting trade aggression. This uncertainty is freezing investment decisions and keeping members out of work." The union also opted to go with Ford this time around as it's the only one of its peers that has maintained its Canadian manufacturing presence since tariffs were imposed in the spring of 2025. Stellantis began retooling its Brampton Assembly plant in February, but opted to shift that facility's product plans to the U.S. amid tariffs, and it's currently idle. As for GM, it idled its CAMI Assembly plant last year after ending production of BrightDrop vans there, and also cut the third shift from its Oshawa Assembly plant in January. I know they have to do the whole public posture "tough guy" thing, but playing hardball with the lone company that kept stuff going seems like a great idea.... lol For sure, almost comical. They identify the the uncertainty with respect to investment decisions that to a large degree are out of Ford's control but.....???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oac98 Posted July 10 Share Posted July 10 We shall see what happens. Today is the deadline and it’s been dead quiet so far Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oac98 Posted July 12 Share Posted July 12 Ford and Unifor reached a tentative agreement tonight. I will present the details when they emerge for those who may be interested. 6 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted July 13 Author Share Posted July 13 No details yet, but the tentative agreement is also confirmed publicly now... Unifor Reaches Tentative Agreement With Ford 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oac98 Posted July 14 Share Posted July 14 (edited) 7 hours ago, rmc523 said: No details yet, but the tentative agreement is also confirmed publicly now... Unifor Reaches Tentative Agreement With Ford This is how it’s gonna go, our ratification meeting is Saturday July 18th in Hamilton at 10am. The union is being very tight lipped, nothing has leaked out so far. On Friday our local 707 reps will meet with the ford master bargaining committee to go over the details of this tentative agreement. So unless something leaks prior somehow Friday may be the earliest we hear any details. Edited July 14 by Oac98 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ausrutherford Posted Wednesday at 09:46 PM Share Posted Wednesday at 09:46 PM One would think and hope Oakville gets F-150 production as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oac98 Posted Thursday at 12:51 AM Share Posted Thursday at 12:51 AM 2 hours ago, ausrutherford said: One would think and hope Oakville gets F-150 production as well. They could build all of the 140000 f series they sell in Canada at Oakville. I just don’t believe that will happen with all this Cusma crap for now if ever. It’s a great idea though. There’s all these second shift is coming rumors too. I’ll believe it when I see it. They’re pumping 5 billion Canadian into that plant, you would think they want two shifts there. It’s been nothing but a rollercoaster ride at OAC since 2020. We’ve had over 3 years total downtime in total. Like I said Saturday is Oakville ratification meeting in Hamilton. I will give details if the info isn’t already plastered all over unifor.ca by then. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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