Unifor demands Ford Motor Co. invest in Windsor, Ont.
'This is the absolutely most important round of bargaining we’ve ever had'
Unifor has put Ford Motor Co. on notice heading into this summer's contract negotiations.
Chris Taylor, president of Unifor Local 200 and chair of the union's master bargaining committee with Ford, said it's time the Detroit automaker invest in Windsor, Ont., again.
Ford used to operate six plants and employ 6,300 unionized hourly employees in the auto capital of Canada. It now has three plants and employs 1,500 members of Unifor.
Taylor still feels stung by Ford, which decided in 2014 to build a new small-engine plant in Mexico.
He claims the union negotiated a letter of agreement stating that if Ford ever produced a new engine product, the Windsor facilities would get first opportunity to manufacture it, provided a number of criteria are met.
One of the caveats was government financial assistance, which never materialized, so Ford chose Mexico.
After this story was published by CBC, former Conservative Essex MP Jeff Watson, who is also a former autoworker, claimed the government was willing to invest but Ford wouldn't agree to the terms.
<a href="https://twitter.com/CBCWindsor">@CBCWindsor</a> Getting past union propaganda, feds offered $561m, Ont $350m. Funding not issue, Ford's lack of commitment to job guarantees was
—@JeffWatsonEssex"We've put Ford on notice. For our [Windsor] operations, we are telling them that unless there is a solution for Windsor, and that solution has to be product, that there will not be an agreement," Taylor told CBC's Tony Doucette, host of Windsor Morning on Thursday.
Encouraging investment
Essex MPP Taras Natyshak says attracting more auto investment will require a detailed strategy that reduces significant hurdles, such as the high cost of hydro.
"The benefits are obvious when the government partners with a large manufacturing company like Ford, or GM, or Chrysler," he said. "We've seen the spin-off effect in local economies."
At the federal level, Essex MP Tracey Ramsey is also pushing for government assistance to encourage auto investment.
"Sitting back, waiting for corporations or partners to come to us isn't the way we're operating any more in manufacturing," she said. "We have to be tenacious in seeking out those projects to bring, not only to our region, but all across Canada."
In a statement to CBC News, officials at Ford recognizes the stiff, global competition for auto jobs.
"Auto manufacturing in Canada is at an inflection point, and to attract product manufacturing investment, Canada must compete with the world," wrote Kerri Stoakley, communications manager. "Markets around the world understand the economic benefits of winning an automotive investment."
Recognizing Windsor's needs
Ford has facilities in Oakville and Brampton. Taylor said they understand Windsor's need.
"We've had a lot of discussion with the leadership and the membership at other facilities, so they understand Windsor is the priority in this round of bargaining," Taylor said.
Not long after 2012 contract negotiations, Ford invested $700 million in the Oakville plant, which builds the Ford Edge, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKX and Lincoln MKT.
That's "the same expectation this year," in Windsor, Taylor said.
The federal government pitched in $71.6 million, and Ontario contributed $70.9 million to upgrade Ford's Oakville plant.
"These are some of the best times the Detroit 3 has ever experienced," Taylor said. "Ford Motor Co. in particular had their best quarter ever. They've had record profits. If we can't bargain good collective agreements with job security and investment in this environment, we potentially won't have this opportunity again."
Ford reported a first-quarter pre-tax profit of $3.8 billion USD earlier this year.
"If we don't get it done this time, there won't be another opportunity," Taylor said. "This is the absolutely most important round of bargaining we've ever had."