The president of the local union representing auto workers at the General Motors plant in Oshawa, facing layoffs at the end of January, is calling for stronger action from national leaders to safeguard jobs in the auto sector.
General Motors (GM) Canada is scheduled to eliminate the overnight shift at its Oshawa facility on Jan. 30, resulting in approximately 2,000 job losses and a reduced plant size due to pressures from U.S. tariffs.
Jeff Gray, president of Unifor Local 222, expressed concerns over the continuous decline in auto sector jobs, citing recent cutbacks in other assembly plants like Brampton and CAMI. He emphasized the need for a more robust defense strategy from national leadership.
Gray highlighted the challenges faced by the union, noting a lack of support compared to previous instances where the national union actively rallied and campaigned to retain jobs, such as during the closure announcement of the Oshawa plant in 2018.
The union leader acknowledged the efforts made during the current trade war but stressed the necessity for more substantial public and member support.
Responding to criticisms, Unifor national president Lana Payne affirmed the union’s commitment to advocating for workers amidst trade war challenges and vowed to continue fighting for job security in the auto industry.
Gray also expressed disappointment in Prime Minister Mark Carney’s handling of the trade war, particularly concerning negotiations that could impact the Canadian auto sector, such as the potential removal of tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.
Local 222 hosted Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to address concerns, as the union believes the opposition party may offer more support than the weakened New Democratic Party following the last election.
Flavio Volpe, president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association (APMA), highlighted the frustration and anxiety among union members and Canadian auto suppliers due to economic and political uncertainties, emphasizing the need for renegotiations and maintaining access to U.S. markets.
Journalist Greg Layson underscored the challenges faced by auto workers in Oshawa, expressing concerns over the waiting game for new trade agreements and investments to stabilize the industry.
Overall, the call for stronger support and proactive measures from national leaders to protect auto sector jobs amidst trade war pressures remains a priority for the local union in Oshawa.
