Ford Windsor $1.2 billion Investment Shows Value Of Union

WINDSOR, ON, March 30, 2017; The announcement of a $1.2-billion investment by Ford in Windsor is welcomed news and was made possible by Unifor's successful contract talks with the company last fall.

"Unifor went into talks with the Detroit Three with one goal in mind – secure investment in the Canadian auto industry to ensure good jobs for future generations," Unifor National President Jerry Dias said. "This investment shows the good things that happen for the entire community when there is a voice for working people at the table."

The collective agreement with Ford, ratified last November, called on the automaker to invest $713 million in its Canadian operations over the next four years. Ford's investment will see its Windsor operations develop into a world-class powertrain facility, its Oakville Assembly plant upgraded and establishment of a $500-million research and development centre.

"The production investments we negotiated will be backed up by the research that will now also be done here," Dias said.

Dias also welcomed the investment of $100 million each from the federal and provincial governments in the Windsor operations, noting that the recent federal budget talked about a new Strategic Innovation Fund, but offered few details on how it would operate.

"It is good to see both levels government investing in good jobs. The announcements today are a testament to the dedication and commitment of the workers at Ford," Dias said.

Across the Detroit Three, Unifor negotiated $1.6 billion worth of new investment from Ford, Fiat Chrysler and General Motors.

Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing more than 310,000 workers, including 45,000 in the auto sector. It was formed Labour Day weekend 2013 when the Canadian Auto Workers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers union merged.