Unifor stops anti-GM campaign in hopes of saving Oshawa jobs
TORONTO Unifor Canada has suspended its negative ad blitz against General Motors Co. amid new hope it can save some jobs at the century-old manufacturing plant in Oshawa, Ont.
Officials from the union and the automaker met in Detroit on Tuesday to discuss the future of the plant, one of five in North America slated to close this year as part of a US$6-billion restructuring plan.
Unifor national president Jerry Dias acknowledged that GM does not intend to manufacture vehicles in Oshawa beyond December — Unifor has previously fought for a production extension and refused to consider the decision a done deal — but said he’s optimistic about maintaining a footprint in Canada after three weeks of constructive talks with GM.
“Do I believe a vehicle is going to fall out of the sky in the next few months so we can start building another vehicle? The answer to that is no. But are there opportunities? The answer is yes,” Dias said in an interview where he described Tuesday’s meeting with GM’s senior leadership as “pivotal.”
“It really is about saving as many jobs as we can and that’s the type of discussion we’re having right now.”
It’s not clear exactly what type of work could become available in Oshawa, but the union said the parties are discussing potential
Are there opportunities? The answer is yes ... It really is about saving as many jobs as we can.
ways to transform operations to maintain a base level of hourly employment in the short- and long-term.
GM Canada spokesman David Paterson agreed that discussions have been productive, but would not answer questions on potential future work citing the ongoing bargaining.
He said GM is focused on “taking care of our people,” whether that means generating new jobs or matching them with jobs others companies have offered.
The Oshawa assembly plant manufactures the Chevrolet Impala, Cadillac XTS and Silverado and Sierra trucks. It employs nearly 3,000 people.