GM’s century of building cars in Oshawa 1918-1985

A look back at how the General Motors plant in Oshawa has evolved.

1918: McLaughlin Buicks and Chevrolet, which both had vehicles constructed in the building that would become the Oshawa Assembly, merge into General Motors of Canada.

1937: More than 4,000 General Motors workers go on strike in Oshawa, calling for an eighthour day, better wages and working conditions, as well as a recognition of their new union, the United Automobile Workers (UAW).

1953: Production of Pontiac, Chevrolet and Buick models begins on Nov. 7 at the official Oshawa Assembly for General Motors Canada.

1955: Almost 10,000 workers strike for 148 days in Oshawa, asking for health care, more secure working conditions and higher wages. The strike extends to other, smaller GM plants, such as one in London that manufactures diesel en- gines and employs 600 workers. At this time, even the mayor of Oshawa worked at the plant.

1970: UAW workers at GM go on strike for 94 days. It’s settled just before Christmas.

1984: For 13 days, across 13 plants, including Oshawa’s, 36,500 General Motors workers go on strike in Canada, winning a new agreement that includes necessities such as extra payment for overtime work. The strike is matched by a similar one in the U.S.

1985: The Oshawa plant shuts down to revamp and switch from continuous assembly line construction to a new system of flexible manufacturing.