Steel Markets
Ford, Unifor Reach Tentative Pact on Canadian Contract
Written by Sandy Williams
September 22, 2020
Ford and Canadian union Unifor have reached a tentative agreement for a new three-year contract. Contract negotiations were extended after the original contract expired yesterday at midnight. Both parties agreed to work through the night to avoid a strike by Canadian autoworkers.
Ford was selected by Unifor to set the pattern for automotive negotiations with Canadian auto manufacturers. The union hoped to secure commitments from Ford to build electric vehicles at its Oakville, Ontario, assembly plant. Production of EVs would replace manufacturing of the Ford Edge and Lincoln Nautilus SUVs that is scheduled to end in 2023.
During a press conference on Tuesday, union president Jerry Dias unveiled the tentative agreement and said “I am pleased to announce investments as part of our settlement totaling $1.95 billion dollars to build electric vehicles in Canada, primarily in our workplaces in Oakville and Windsor.
“We are now positioned to be the jewel in Ford’s crown and a key part of Ford’s future success transitioning to greener technology,” added Dias. “As an organization, we’ve hit a home run.”
Unifor represents about 19,400 autoworkers at the Detroit 3 plants in Canada including 6,300 at Ford’s distribution centers, Oakville facility and two engine plants in Windsor, Ontario.
Details of the agreement are being withheld until it can be reviewed and ratified by the Unifor membership. Dias announced that the next target for automotive negotiations will be Fiat Chrysler NA.
Sandy Williams
Read more from Sandy WilliamsLatest in Steel Markets
US importers face stricter rules under revamped S232 tariffs
“CBP expects full compliance from the trade community for accurate reporting and payment of the additional duties. CBP will take enforcement action on non-compliance," the agency said in a March 7 bulletin.
Steel exports rebound in January
US steel exports recovered to a five-month high in January after having fallen to a two-year low in December. This growth follows four consecutive months of declining exports.
Construction spending drops marginally in January
Construction spending edged down slightly in January, slipping for the first time in four months. The US Census Bureau estimated spending at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $2,196 billion in January, down 0.2% from December’s downward revised rate. The January figure is 3.3% higher than a year ago. January’s result, despite the slight erosion, […]
HVAC equipment shipments slow in December but strong annually
Shipments of heating and cooling equipment in the US fell to an 11-month low in December, according to the latest data released by the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI).
Apparent steel supply rebounds in December, but 2024 total at 4-year low
Apparent US steel supply rebounded in December, but 2024 was still the lowest level for supply since 2020.