Negotiations between Unifor, the union representing nearly 19,000 Canadian auto workers, and the Detroit Three automakers are set to commence in Toronto amid a climate of deep uncertainty fueled by U.S. tariffs, an influx of Chinese electric vehicles, and unresolved trade discussions under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
The current collective agreements expire in September, prompting the union to initiate talks first with Ford Motor Co., following a pattern bargaining strategy familiar from three years ago. Discussions with Stellantis and General Motors will follow. Unifor frames this bargaining round as the most significant in its history given the multi-layered challenges facing the industry.
Unifor’s national president highlighted that U.S. tariffs, including a 25% levy on vehicles and parts not produced domestically in the U.S., continue to strain local automakers. These tariffs have persisted since last year, despite looming deadlines to extend CUSMA. Although parts compliant with CUSMA rules avoid tariffs, the overall trade environment leaves the sector facing “unprecedented uncertainty.”
Government support once saved the Canadian auto industry during the 2008-2009 financial crisis through massive bailouts to Chrysler and General Motors. This time, however, the challenges are broader in scale, with unresolved tariff conflicts threatening the long-term viability of Canadian manufacturing operations. Ford’s Windsor, Ontario, engine plants stand out as a relative bright spot given their stability and ongoing multi-billion-dollar investments.
Job security is the union’s primary focus heading into negotiations. The sector has seen significant job losses, with nearly 6,500 positions cut since early 2025. Some major assembly plants, including General Motors’ Ingersoll and Stellantis’ Brampton facilities, remain shut down, amplifying worker concerns and economic pressures.
With many forces beyond Unifor’s control shaping the industry’s future, the union views collective bargaining as a critical lever to protect workers’ interests. Unifor intends to use the talks as a platform to address the immediate impacts of tariffs, safeguard Canadian jobs, and seek a sustainable path forward amid shifting global trade dynamics.