Unifor and Ford Canada’s new contract includes $713 million investment

Unionized workers at Ford’s Canadian operations have accepted a new contract with the automaker after months of negotiations.

Unifor says 58 per cent of the employees who cast ballots voted in favour of the agreement.

Investment in the Canadian operations was the union’s top priority.

According to Unifor’s website, highlights of the new contract include:

• A total of $713 million in investment and engine product commitments
• Two general wage increases of 2% each over the life of the contract
• A signing bonus of $6,000 and a $2,000 lump sum in the second, third and fourth year of the contract, both of which total $12,000 over the next four years
• Significant improvements to the in-progression wage grid that will provide thousands of dollars of new money in income earnings and higher pay to new members
(under ten years of service)
• Benefit improvements and a 50% reduction of the health deductible for retirees
• Significant work practice improvements for operations and facilities

Ford employs more than 6,700 Unifor members.