GM Plays Hardball - Tells Canadian Union To End Strike Or It Will Shut Down The Plant

Talks between General Motors and Canadian union Unifor seem to have broken down after the automaker mentioned it might wind down production of the Chevrolet Equinox at the striking CAMI Assembly plant in Ingersoll, Ontario. Negotiators explained to the union that the cost of continuing the month-long strike would mean losing more business to Mexico, which has already been filling Canadian production gaps since before the strike began.

GM currently builds the popular Equinox at three North American facilities: the CAMI plant, and two Mexican plants. With a shrinking 41-day supply of rolling stock at the end of last month, the facilities located south of the border can’t produce an equivalent volume to the Canadian worksite. However, GM suggests that could change if Unifor doesn’t throw in the towel soon.

TheSteve - 10/12/2017 1:51:49 PM

+5 Boost

In case readers don't know, GM is an American company, and it does what's good for GM. History shows that US automakers can (and do) shutter foreign plants, sometimes to preserve domestic jobs (think financial and/or political advantage rather than unbridled altruism), even if that foreign plant is more productive than average. It's just business.

(PS: So the Canadian unions aren't nicer and more polite than unions in the US? Weird!)

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 10/12/2017 2:41:00 PM

-3 Boost

Car plant union folks are likely the same the world over. Good people, but a little rough around the edges. CDN or not. As far as CDN plants, we do have some of the best and most productive in the world. Having said that when there are plants in the USA that are idle or below capacity, more often than not we lose out. And yes it is just business. But it is a hard thing to take as an employee when you know your plant is #1 in North America for quality or productivity or both and you still don't get new product to build and or you are shut down.

PUGPROUD - 10/12/2017 5:24:12 PM

+2 Boost

At the end of the day everyone in business acts in their own best interest. A harsh reality at times. Plants are opened, plants are closed, employees are hired, employees are fired, employees leave for a better job...on and on. The loss of a job unexpectedl by powers to be miles away is tough. Hopefully when one door closes another one opens.

MDarringer - 10/12/2017 7:20:20 PM

+3 Boost

Close it!

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 10/15/2017 12:59:10 PM

+1 Boost

A tentative deal was reached between GM and Unifor. The plant will get to produce the Chevy Equinox and be the main source of supply of this SUV for North America. The 3,000 jobs at the plant should remain intact. Going forward GM will strive to ensure its plants across Canada, the USA and Mexico will remain optimized for production and all plants will continue to compete for new product to build and to grow jobs.