The day that workers in Oshawa, Ont., have feared for months has finally come, as GM Canada is set to eliminate a shift at the local plant, resulting in over a thousand job losses.
As many as 1,200 employees across the automotive supply chain are expected to finish their last shift on Friday as the company reduces its presence in Canada, according to the union leader representing them.
GM Canada confirmed on Thursday that around 500 of those affected are its own staff.
“We did everything we could … we’ve made our arguments to General Motors,” stated Jeff Gray, president of Unifor Local 222, on Wednesday.
GM will be cutting one of three shifts at the plant, which wraps up at 6:30 a. m. Seniority rules will be in effect, Gray explained – meaning that higher-seniority workers will transition to the remaining shifts while those with less seniority across all shifts will lose their positions.
Jeff Gray, Unifor Local 222 president, represents workers at the Oshawa plant. He says workers who are laid off will be left in a ‘heartbreaking’ position after they finish their final shift. (Michael Cole/CBC)
Gray mentioned that these employees will find themselves in a “heartbreaking” situation as they head into work like any other day but know they won’t have jobs next week.
“You feel very nervous and anxious that you can continue to provide a living for yourself and your family,” Gray said.
In a statement released Thursday, GM indicated it has collaborated with the union to offer assistance for laid-off workers, including what it refers to as “comprehensive separation packages, retirement support and other benefits.”
A spokesperson named Ariane Souza Pereira noted that the plant is reverting back to two shifts while “continuing preparations to build the next generation of gas-powered full-size pickups.”
At the same time, Ontario Premier Doug Ford remarked that there would be opportunities available for laid-off workers in various sectors such as defense and life sciences.
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Layoffs at GM’s Oshawa plant were initially slated to take place in November but were delayed until late January. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)
While layoffs happen in Oshawa, GM is hiring an additional 250 temporary staff for its Fort Wayne, Indiana plant. Both plants manufacture the Chevrolet Silverado.
The layoffs planned for Oshawa were originally scheduled for November but were pushed back until January.
This postponement provided union representatives more time to lobby federal authorities seeking an agreement with the United States and urging GM to reconsider its reduction of shifts.
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GM’s Oshawa plant pictured last summer. Unifor said it gave GM a ‘viable plan’ to keep the third shift until this fall but GM rejected this plan. (Patrick Morrell/CBC)
This past Thursday’s statement from Unifor mentioned they presented GM with a “viable plan” aimed at maintaining the third shift until contract negotiations began this fall – yet GM turned down this proposal.
The initial announcement regarding shift cuts indicated about 2,000 jobs would be lost; however Gray noted this figure has now decreased between 1,100 and 1,200 due to efforts by local representation within the plant.
Yet earlier this month Gray urged national union leaders to enhance support for workers since auto jobs throughout Ontario are “disappearing.”
“From the eyes of our members，the pushback hasn’t been enough，” he told CBC Radio’s Metro Morning.
< WATCH | Oshawa union president says national union needsto do moreto protect autojobs:
Unifor nationalneeds todo moretoprotect autoworkers, says Ontario localunion head
Unifor Local222 president states Unifor nationalisn’tdoing enoughtoprotectjobsin Canada’s autosector. Chrisitian D’Avino satdownwithhim asunionmembersface layoffs laterthismonth.
Speaking on Wednesday，Gray mentionedthat his local union would keep fighting for better opportunitiesfor workersto returnto Oshawa.
He statedthat plansare being madefor programs designedtotrainlaid-offautoworkers，whichpreviously tookplacein Oshawaandother areasof Ontarioatlocationsknownasactioncentres.
Theseprograms mightinclude sessionsonresume writingandbasic computerskills，he said.
“We’ll doeverythinginour power tomakesurethat’supandrunningasfastas possible, and helpmembers duringthetransition，”Graysaid.
‘We’llbe there’forlaid-off autoworkers, Ontario premierstates.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiteratedhis requestformorefederalgovernmentassistance Thursdayfollowingthe latest roundoflayoffsatthe GMOntario facility.“Wemusteliminate EVmandates tomakeourselvesmorecompetitive,” hestated.
Fordexplainedthatthereisaplaninsupport of laid-off Oshawaworkerswholosttheirpositions, talking Thursdaymorning beforethemeeting.
“We’regoingtomakesuretheyhaveopportunitiesinthedesignsector、lifesciencesector、andothers, andwe’llbetherefor them24/7,” hesaid.
Fordaddressed Prime Minister Mark Carneydirectly；statingthatthefederalgovernmentneedsnotonlytosupport GMOttawaworkersbutalso focusontheauto sector overall.
“We mustimprovecompetitiveness, getridof EVmandatestomakethe countrymorecompetitive-andhere’smy messagefortheprime minister,” hestated.
Canadaleadersmeet periodicallyoverthelast year discussingways forwardwhile Trump’stariffs continueto impact Canadianindustriesectors.
WATCH |GMaddingjobsto Indiana Plant That Also Makes Chevrolet Silverado:
GM increasingproductionin Indiananasitcutshundreds ofjobsin Oshawarementioned:(CBC)Christian D’Avino visited Fort Waynetolearnmoreaboutwherethesejobsare going.
Thisrecentdevelopmenthasledtoconversationsregardingtrade agreementswithboth Mexicoand U. S. andexpectationsforfuturetrade talksastheypreparetoreview CUSMA.<img id=“Image12”src=“%url_5%”alt=“"( ]. “] * * * * * * * * * Mark Carney described how CUMSA hasmetcertaingoalsbutrequiresadjustmentsbeforeextendingpast2036 expirationdate. Greerenumeratedseveralrequirements then administrationwants metbeforecontinuationofthepactincludingprotective measures concerningdairysystemandonlinestreamingregulationsimpactingtech giantslike Netflix Spotifyyou Tube, specificallyamidsome provinces-Ontario included-ongoingboycottsagainst U. S. alcoholproducts. Discussionsaroundtradeagreementswiththe United Statesand Mexico shouldintensifylaterthisyear asthe CUSMAreviewcontinues. Grayexpressed eagerness aboutpotential outcomesfrom Wednesdaymeetinghopespromotersencouragethefederalgovernmenttowithdraw UStocontinue CUSMArenewalprocess. “Andthenwecanreturntonormalcy-thatwouldbethebest solutionistogobacktothe United States-itrepresentsourmost reliable tradingpartneroverlastcentury.”
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NDPLeader Marit Stilessaidthere needsto bean actionplan ensuringconfidenceformigrantworkerassuringenhanced commitmentsbetweenpartiesengagingdialogue towardspromisingnewoutcomesreforms
National Union Claims GM Is Bowing To Trump
The Detroit-based car manufacturer announced its decision to cut a shift at this facility back in May. This news followed just a month after U. S. President Donald Trump unveiled tariffs aimed at the auto industry. During that time, spokesperson Jennifer Wright told CBC Toronto that “forecasted demand and the evolving trade environment” were factors behind this decision. GM Canada’s most recent statement does not mention tariffs; however, Unifor National President Lana Payne claimed on Thursday that GM “has made a clear decision to cave to Donald Trump.” She added that GM is making Oshawa employees “pay for that appeasement with their jobs.”
Unifor nationalneeds todo moretoprotect autoworkers, says Ontario localunion head
Unifor Local222 president states Unifor nationalisn’tdoing enoughtoprotectjobsin Canada’s autosector. Chrisitian D’Avino satdownwithhim asunionmembersface layoffs laterthismonth.
Speaking on Wednesday，Gray mentionedthat his local union would keep fighting for better opportunitiesfor workersto returnto Oshawa.
He statedthat plansare being madefor programs designedtotrainlaid-offautoworkers，whichpreviously tookplacein Oshawaandother areasof Ontarioatlocationsknownasactioncentres.
Theseprograms mightinclude sessionsonresume writingandbasic computerskills，he said.
“We’ll doeverythinginour power tomakesurethat’supandrunningasfastas possible, and helpmembers duringthetransition，”Graysaid.
Ford Promises Opportunities For Laid-Off Workers
The layoffs from GM coincide with Prime Minister’s meeting scheduledwith Canada’s premiersin Ottawabeforea busy yearfeaturing amandatory reviewof Canada-U. S.-Mexico-Agreement(CUSMA). WATCH | Ford says therewillbe24/7supportfor Oshawaautoworkerswholayoff:
‘We’llbe there’forlaid-off autoworkers, Ontario premierstates.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiteratedhis requestformorefederalgovernmentassistance Thursdayfollowingthe latest roundoflayoffsatthe GMOntario facility.“Wemusteliminate EVmandates tomakeourselvesmorecompetitive,” hestated.
Fordexplainedthatthereisaplaninsupport of laid-off Oshawaworkerswholosttheirpositions, talking Thursdaymorning beforethemeeting.
“We’regoingtomakesuretheyhaveopportunitiesinthedesignsector、lifesciencesector、andothers, andwe’llbetherefor them24/7,” hesaid.
Fordaddressed Prime Minister Mark Carneydirectly；statingthatthefederalgovernmentneedsnotonlytosupport GMOttawaworkersbutalso focusontheauto sector overall.
“We mustimprovecompetitiveness, getridof EVmandatestomakethe countrymorecompetitive-andhere’smy messagefortheprime minister,” hestated.
Canadaleadersmeet periodicallyoverthelast year discussingways forwardwhile Trump’stariffs continueto impact Canadianindustriesectors.
WATCH |GMaddingjobsto Indiana Plant That Also Makes Chevrolet Silverado:
GM increasingproductionin Indiananasitcutshundreds ofjobsin Oshawarementioned:(CBC)Christian D’Avino visited Fort Waynetolearnmoreaboutwherethesejobsare going.
Thisrecentdevelopmenthasledtoconversationsregardingtrade agreementswithboth Mexicoand U. S. andexpectationsforfuturetrade talksastheypreparetoreview CUSMA.<img id=“Image12”src=“%url_5%”alt=“"( ]. “] * * * * * * * * * Mark Carney described how CUMSA hasmetcertaingoalsbutrequiresadjustmentsbeforeextendingpast2036 expirationdate. Greerenumeratedseveralrequirements then administrationwants metbeforecontinuationofthepactincludingprotective measures concerningdairysystemandonlinestreamingregulationsimpactingtech giantslike Netflix Spotifyyou Tube, specificallyamidsome provinces-Ontario included-ongoingboycottsagainst U. S. alcoholproducts. Discussionsaroundtradeagreementswiththe United Statesand Mexico shouldintensifylaterthisyear asthe CUSMAreviewcontinues. Grayexpressed eagerness aboutpotential outcomesfrom Wednesdaymeetinghopespromotersencouragethefederalgovernmenttowithdraw UStocontinue CUSMArenewalprocess. “Andthenwecanreturntonormalcy-thatwouldbethebest solutionistogobacktothe United States-itrepresentsourmost reliable tradingpartneroverlastcentury.”
