Canadian autoworkers at the big three North American motor vehicle manufacturers have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action if a new round of collective bargaining fails.
Unifor, Canada's largest private-sector union, says its members at Ford Motor Co. (F), General Motors (GM) and Stellantis (STLA) voted 99% in favour of a strike mandate as it enters contract negotiations.
The current collective agreements, which cover nearly 20,000 autoworkers in Canada, are set to expire before midnight on September 18 of this year.
The Canadian strike vote mirrors the strike mandate provided by the U.S.-based United Auto Workers (UAW) union, who are also negotiating with the major automotive manufacturers.
In announcing the Canadian strike mandate, Unifor said its bargaining teams is set to resume talks with support from its membership.
The union’s bargaining committee is focused on improving pensions, substantially increasing wages, and job security, said Unifor.
