Plans are underway to restart the production of next-generation heavy-duty trucks and transmissions, along with a commitment not to sell an idled plant. This is part of the new collective agreement between General Motors and its unionized workforce.
The details of the agreement, which was finalized on August 22, were shared by Unifor as workers began voting on the deal over the weekend.
This agreement impacts more than 4,600 unionized employees at various locations including the Oshawa Assembly Plant, CAMI Assembly Plant in Ingersoll, St. Catharines Propulsion Plant, and Woodstock Parts Distribution Centre.
As part of the three-year deal, GM will invest $144 million to start making next-generation GMC Sierra heavy-duty trucks at the Oshawa Assembly plant.
The union also mentioned that they have secured a new “innovative program” aimed at minimizing layoffs in Oshawa after a third shift was canceled back in January.
“Based on current customer demand and company volume forecasts for vehicle assembly production, Oshawa Assembly is expected to operate on two shifts for the duration of the 2026 Collective Agreement,” union officials stated.
The automaker based in Detroit is planning to spend $215 million at the St. Catharines plant for assembling next-generation transmissions that are set to begin production in 2029. According to the union, this facility will be dedicated solely to this transmission type and will create 250 new jobs.
Regarding the idled CAMI plant in Ingersoll, GM has made a written promise not to close or sell it while searching for “new program opportunities.” Additionally, this plant will be given “first consideration” for any Canadian Armed Forces defense contracts if GM wins such work from Canada’s government.
This deal includes wage increases of 3 percent each year alongside a $10,000 productivity bonus for eligible members and an additional bonus coming in December.
The union plans to initiate labor discussions with Stellantis next as challenges continue for the auto industry-like U. S. tariffs, decisions by the Trump administration not to extend the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, and competition from Chinese electric vehicles entering Canada.
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