GM workers in Oshawa, St. Catharines, ratify deal

Unifor members in Oshawa, St. Catharines and Woodstock have ratified a new agreement with General Motors.

The agreement secures investment in all three communities, says a Unifor press release.

It also includes:

• A conversion of 700 temporary jobs to permanent full-time positions that include benefits, a pension, a signing bonus and a $1,000 lump sum increase and wage progression
• A general wage increasetotaling four per cent over the life of the contract and a lump sum of $12,000 over four years
• A signing bonus of $6,000
• An improved new hire program

The agreement was ratified by 64.7 per cent. Production members voted in favour with 66.5 per cent and skilled trades by 56.5 per cent.

The union says the ratified deal with General Motors sets the pattern for contract talks going forward.

Fiat-Chrysler Automotive talks start Monday, Sept. 26.