Unifor Kicks Off Ford Contract Talks Amid Trade Uncertainty
Canada's largest private-sector union opened negotiations with Ford Motor Co. with a July 10 deadline, as tariffs and CUSMA concerns loom.
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Collective bargaining between Unifor and Ford Motor Co. officially began Monday morning in Toronto, marking the start of what the union calls the "most consequential round of auto bargaining" in its history.
Unifor represents nearly 19,000 Canadian autoworkers and typically uses pattern bargaining to set industry terms. Current contracts expire September 20. The union is seeking a three-year agreement and has set July 10 as its deadline to reach a deal with Ford, with talks with Stellantis and General Motors to follow.
The latest round comes as the auto sector reels from U.S. tariffs, uncertainty around CUSMA's future, and competition from Chinese electric vehicles. The sector has lost nearly 6,500 jobs since February 2025. A 25 per cent tariff on all non-U.S.-built cars and trucks remains in place, though CUSMA-compliant parts are exempt.
Unifor national president Lana Payne said the union is focused on protecting jobs and securing Ford's commitment to Canadian manufacturing despite "posturing by the United States" over CUSMA. "The reality is that the automakers in the U.S. have been very deliberate in terms of what they have been saying to the White House that they need a CUSMA agreement to continue," she said.
Ford said it values stability and flexibility as it navigates rising costs, new competitors, and shifting demand. The company described its partnership with Unifor as vital to success.
