Ford union president says GM deal not template for its negotiations
OAKVILLE, Ont. — The president of the union local representing Ford employees in Oakville, Ont., says it’s not prepared to accept the template that secured a deal with General Motors.
“We as a local bargaining committee have sent a very clear message to Ford Motor Company and the national union that the framework agreement between GM and the membership will not suit the needs of the membership in Oakville,” Dave Thomas, president of Unifor Local 707, wrote in a message posted on the union’s website Tuesday.
“Investment in Canada was the No. 1 priority when we opened up bargaining but we all agreed that it would not be at the expense of the rest of the membership,” he said.
Thomas added that the local bargaining committee “will not sacrifice the needs of the membership in Oakville and settle on an agreement that doesn’t address our issues.”