Unifor's 'unique' Ford deal includes 5 new electric vehicles in Oakville, engine for Windsor plants - Action News
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Unifor's 'unique' Ford deal includes 5 new electric vehicles in Oakville, engine for Windsor plants

The union that represents Canadian auto workers has announced a tentative deal with Ford Motor Company that checks many of the boxes members were hoping for including fresh products for waning factories in Windsor and Oakville, Ont.

Tentative agreement set to go to ratification on Sunday

Jerry Dias, president of the Unifor union, announced a tentative agreement with Ford Motor Co., which includes five electric vehicle models and battery production in Oakville, Ont., and an engine for Ford's Windsor, Ont., plants. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press)

The union that represents Canadian autoworkers has announced a tentative deal with Ford Motor Co.that checks many of the boxes members were hoping for including fresh products for waning factories in Ontario.

Uniforpresident Jerry Diascould hardly contain his excitementas he announced a tentative three-year deal, which included $1.98-billion of investments that will go "predominantly" to Ford's assembly plant in OakvilleandWindsor's two Ford engine assembly plants.

"This is a major commitment from Ford Motor Companyhuge," Dias told reporters during a newsconference on Tuesday.

"You don't make that type of commitment and make a minor splash and move on. This is going to be key facilities for Ford a decades-long commitment."

Dias said the agreement, which is subject to a Sunday night ratification vote by members, includes five models ofelectric vehicles for the Ford Oakville plant.

A statement from Ford said that the company would not discuss specifics of the agreementuntil it has been ratified.

That will take a $1.8-billion investment to retool the factory, which "will leave the plant down for some time," Diassaid.

'We hit a home run'

That work is expected to begin in 2024 with the first of five electric vehicles rolling off the line in 2025and the fifth, off the line by 2028. The union also secured the assembly of batteries that will go into these vehicles.

"As we knowwhen Iselected Ford to be the target,that we had no product for the Ford assembly plant as the Edge would come to the end of its production schedule," Dias said.

"So we were determined that we solidified a product for our Oakville plant.We hit a home run."

Production of the Ford Edge and Lincoln Nautilus SUVs ends at the plant in 2023.

Employees inside the Windsor Assembly Plant wearing protective face masks, as a means of preventing the spread of COVID-19 after they returned to work in May. Dias said he's concerned over the loss of the third shift at the factory. (Submitted by FCA Canada)

Currently, the Oakville factory employs about 3,400 workers with about 1,200 workers who have been there less than sixyears, Dias said.

"I stand here with confidence saying that once the plant is retooled, I believe, and I say this withconviction, that our members should be able to retire with their pension from Ford Motor Company," he said.

"Young people can sit back and say, 'With this announcement, Ican buy a house.I can plan a future, can plan a family.'"

Dias was adamant that Ford's commitments were long-term, ensuring decades of Canadian labour in Ontario.

"Today's announcement is unique and different because it's about young people," he said.

Windsor's factory will see a 6.8 L engine, which Dias saidwill "stabilize employment and create new opportunities." He said the company has identified the engine facilities as "key" factories needed in the long-term.

If Unifor's tentative agreement is ratified on Sunday, Dias will continue negotiations with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and General Motors. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press)

"Am I pleased with the outcome? The answer is absolutely yes.The details of the contract certainly meets the objectives of our members," Dias said.

After settling a deal with Ford, the union will go on to negotiate with Fiat Chrysler and then General Motors.

Top of mind for Dias is the elimination of the third shift at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles'Windsor Assembly Plant, which was cut this past spring.

Today's news comes after Unifor extended a Sept. 21,11:59 p.m. strike deadline Monday.The union chose Ford as a potential strike target on Sept. 8.

Unifor went on a month-long strike in 2017 at a GM plant that makes the Chevrolet Equinox small SUV. The union wanted to be named the lead producer of the SUV, which also is made in Mexico. While Unifor didn't get that, the union said it won provisions giving added benefits to workers who are near retirement if the plant closes, production moves or a shift isended.

The union also fought with GM last year over plans to stop auto production at a factory in Oshawa, Ont.