GM’s engine plant in St. Catharines
While around 500 employees at the Oshawa assembly plant and many others in the supply chain cope with layoffs due to tariffs announced on Monday, workers at General Motors’ engine facility in St. Catharines were pleased to learn that they will be manufacturing GM’s next-generation V8 engines.
The St. Catharines Propulsion facility will create GM’s Gen 6 small block V8 engines, which are set to power the company’s existing full-size trucks (including the Chevrolet Silverado made in Oshawa) and SUVs.
This Niagara Region plant is already producing the current Gen5 V8 engines, like the 5.3L and 6.2L L87 models.
Even with the layoffs occurring in Oshawa, GM has confirmed that this plant will be responsible for building a new generation of gas-powered full-size pickups, backed by a recent investment of $280 million into the facility.
The cancellation of the third shift at Oshawa was initially announced in May, with an extension on the deadline from November until last Friday.
The company has pledged to “work closely” with Unifor and Local 222 union representatives to help employees through comprehensive separation packages, retirement assistance, and other benefits.
However, workers expressed their frustration regarding this decision during a meeting in Oshawa and have committed to advocating for job restoration.
“We produce high quality trucks that generate billions in profits for General Motors. And how does GM repay that loyalty? With disrespect,” said Local 222 Plant Chair Chris Waugh. “GM loves to talk about family first, but the truth is simple: GM only cares about profit and the members know it.”
The union is also worried about losing production of nearly 50,000 trucks due to ending the overnight shift, as that output is being shifted to a GM facility located in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
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