The president of the local union representing auto workers at the General Motors plant in Oshawa, facing layoffs this month, emphasized the need for national leadership to safeguard auto sector jobs. General Motors (GM) Canada is scheduled to eliminate the midnight shift at the Oshawa plant on Jan. 30, resulting in approximately 2,000 job cuts and a reduced plant size due to U.S. tariffs. Unifor Local 222 president Jeff Gray expressed concern over the ongoing challenges in the auto sector, urging national leaders to enhance efforts in protecting members.
Gray highlighted the continuous loss of auto sector jobs, citing recent impacts on various assembly plants like Brampton and CAMI. He stressed the necessity for stronger advocacy from national leadership to combat these job losses effectively. Despite facing an unprecedented situation in his lengthy career, Gray recalled the united support from the national union during the 2018 Oshawa plant closure announcement, underscoring the importance of collective efforts in preserving jobs.
While acknowledging the national union’s attempts to organize rallies amid the trade war, Gray indicated a lack of adequate public and rank-and-file support. In response, Unifor national president Lana Payne reaffirmed the union’s commitment to defending workers and their jobs amidst the challenging trade environment. Gray also expressed concerns about Prime Minister Mark Carney’s approach towards supporting auto workers during the trade war, highlighting potential negative impacts of certain negotiations on the industry.
Flavio Volpe, president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association (APMA), emphasized the frustration and anxiety among union members amid economic uncertainties. Volpe stressed the importance of focusing on renegotiations and potential outcomes of trade agreements to address current challenges in the auto sector. Greg Layson, digital and mobile editor at Automotive News Canada, echoed the sentiments of workers in Oshawa, emphasizing the critical need for new agreements to stimulate investments and provide stability for autoworkers.