CAMI workers pack hall for update on fight for jobs in Ingersoll
CAMI Assembly Plant members filled the Unifor Local 88 union hall on May 1, to hear from National and Local leaders about the future of the idled facility, the impact of U.S. auto tariffs, the threat of Chinese imports, and the road ahead for 2026 auto bargaining.
National President Lana Payne delivered a frank assessment of the challenges facing the industry, while reinforcing the union’s commitment to securing new product and protecting Canadian auto jobs. She pointed to the destabilizing impact of tariffs and warned that uncertainty is delaying investment decisions across the sector but stressed that CAMI remains central to Canada’s industrial future.
“This plant is too successful, too well-positioned and its workforce too skilled for GM to let it wither away. There is so much potential here,” said Payne. “Our union will not accept anything less than vehicle assembly brought back into this plant.”
Local 88 President Steve Pye opened the session by reflecting on the plant’s recent history, including the launch and cancellation of GM’s BrightDrop electric delivery van program, and the delay in product placement due to the uncertainty created by Trump’s ongoing attack on Canada’s auto industry.
“With one word Trump took that future away. The word was tariffs. We are not here today through any fault of our own. The future of our work, our family and our community gone because of tariffs,” said Pye. “We are ready to take up that fight to bring back the work and the dignity that you all deserve.”
Ingersoll Mayor Brian Petrie, who is the son of a retired Unifor auto worker, brought a message of solidarity from the community.
“We stick with our partners in good times and bad and we want that partnership for a long time to come,” said Petrie. “People make a community you made a true difference here, and you will again. I have no doubt that plant will fire back up.”
CAMI Plant Chairperson Mark Gee underscored the toll the prolonged uncertainty has taken on workers and their families, while highlighting the strength and capability of the workforce.
“The uncertainty from GM not only weighs heavily on our members, but on their families as well as the community that we build in,” said Gee. “This membership is capable of building anything GM puts in front of it. GM just needs to give us the opportunity. It’s time for GM to invest in our plant and get our members back to work.”
National Secretary-Treasurer Len Poirier reinforced that the union is escalating pressure on both the company and governments to act.
“Unifor is not backing down. We will continue to push for new product at CAMI. We will continue to hold GM accountable. We will continue to demand that governments use every tool available to protect Canadian jobs and secure a future for this plant,” said Poirier. “You’ve been held in limbo for far too long. You have the full strength of Unifor’s members behind you. Your fight is our fight.”
Payne told members that discussions with GM are ongoing and emphasized that access to Canada’s market must be tied to domestic production.
“You can’t just assume you will have access to sell in Canada if you don’t build in Canada,” she said, urging all levels of government to keep auto at the centre of the national conversation.
Payne updated members on recent meetings with the government and the opposition to discuss the Liberal and Conservative auto policies, where concerns on both policies were outlined. She also noted that auto is now back on the table in negotiations with the U.S. due to our union’s collective work.
While acknowledging the difficult economic climate and the pressure tariffs are placing on automakers, Payne said the union will continue to push for leverage through upcoming CUSMA renegotiations and auto bargaining.
“I’m confident about one thing we’re going to continue to build cars here at CAMI in Ingersoll,” she said. “We have solidarity not only in this room but across the country. Canada is an industrial country and we’re going to keep building things here, including at our CAMI plant.”
Despite the uncertainty, Payne made clear the union’s resolve is unwavering.
“We are up against crises like I’ve never seen but we will never give up. We keep fighting each and every day and I will be fighting for you each and every day.”
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