TORONTO – The union representing autoworkers at Ford’s Canadian operations says there has been some progress in what it describes as “painfully slow” negotiations.
Unifor negotiators hope to continue a pattern of deals reached with General Motors and Fiat Chrysler, which included increased investment in local plants and wage hikes.
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The union says there’s been “minor progress” with subcommittees, but there’s still “a majority of issues” that need to be settled.
But the union adds that Ford negotiators have indicated the deals with the other two Detroit Three automakers can’t be replicated without offsetting the cost elsewhere.
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According to the union, Ford says those offsets would include lower wages for new temporary full-time workers, and the elimination of its long-term care benefits program.
Unifor has threatened job action if a deal isn’t reached by Monday just before midnight.