Strike deadline at Oakville Ford plant extended as union considers new offer

The union representing Ford Motor Co. workers in Oakville and Windsor has agreed Tuesday (Sept. 19) to extend talks another 24 hours after receiving a new offer from the automaker.

A strike deadline set by Unifor for the more than 3,400 employees in Oakville and another 1,700 combined at two Windsor plants passed at midnight on Monday.

“The union received a substantive offer from the employer minutes before the deadline and bargaining is continuing throughout the night,” the union said in a statement issued at around 1:40 a.m. on Tuesday.

“Unifor members should continue to maintain strike readiness.”

Ford of Canada also made it clear that talks are continuing.

“Ford of Canada has agreed to continue negotiations beyond the September 18, 11:59 p.m. ET deadline to achieve a tentative agreement,” Steven Majer, vice president, Human Resources, Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited, said in a statement.

“We will continue to work collaboratively with Unifor to create a blueprint for the automotive industry that supports a vibrant and sustainable future in Canada.

Over 13,000 autoworkers in the United States represented by the United Auto Workers (UAW) went on strike last Thursday after the union could not come to a new deal with Ford, General Motors and Stellantis (parent company of Chrysler).

Unifor is looking for a new contract that includes improvements to wages, pensions and job security as Ford makes the transition to electric vehicles.

The Assembly Complex in Oakville produces the Ford Edge as well as the Lincoln Nautilus SUV. The two Windsor plants make engines for the F-150 pick-up truck and Mustangs.