On June 22, 2026, Ford Motor Co. and Unifor, the union representing Canadian autoworkers, opened formal negotiations in Toronto to draft new collective‑bargaining agreements. The discussions target the roughly 19,000 workers whose current contracts are set to expire in September 2026, marking the first step toward replacing the agreements that were signed three years ago.
The talks are intended to produce updated terms that will govern wages, benefits, and working conditions for the Canadian workforce employed by Ford. With the existing contracts nearing their end date, both parties have signaled a willingness to engage in a structured bargaining process aimed at reaching a mutually acceptable settlement before the September deadline.
This negotiation session is the initial meeting of three that Unifor has scheduled with Detroit‑based automakers as the September expiration approaches. By beginning discussions with Ford, the union is establishing a timeline that will include subsequent talks with the other major manufacturers operating in Canada. The sequence underscores Unifor’s broader strategy to address the impending contract renewals across the sector in a coordinated manner.
While the outcome of the negotiations remains to be determined, the commencement of talks signals a proactive approach by both Ford and Unifor to avoid a lapse in coverage for the workforce. The parties will continue their dialogue in the weeks ahead, with the aim of finalizing a new agreement before the current contracts lapse.
The negotiations in Toronto set the stage for the remaining discussions with the other automakers, and they will be closely watched by industry observers and the 19,000 Canadian autoworkers whose employment terms depend on the forthcoming agreements.