/R E P E A T -- Strike deadline nears in Unifor Ford negotiations/

TORONTO, Oct. 28, 2016 /CNW/ - As the deadline for Unifor and Ford negotiations approaches, the union schedules live updates to report on the status of talks while it continues to push for investment and secure jobs.

"While Ford might want balk at our priorities and the pattern Agreement set with GM, our members are clear, we will not go backwards and accept rollbacks or concessions," said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. "In every round of Detroit Three bargaining our top priority has been and remains focused on securing a future for good, full-time unionized jobs in the auto sector."

The deadline for contract talks with Ford is Monday, October 31 at 11:59 p.m. The union has stated that if there is no tentative agreement by the deadline, strike action will occur at Ford facilities in the Bramalea, Oakville and Windsor. Unifor represents approximately 6,700 members at Ford.  Strike action has already been authorized with an overwhelming vote that was held on August 28.

Given the bargaining proposals that Ford has put forward Dias affirmed that the union's resolve to fight for fairness was renewed, "we don't want to strike, but our membership is prepared to do so to achieve what is fair and reasonable."

MEDIA BRIEFING DETAILS

WHAT:	Scheduled media updates on Unifor and Ford negotiations
WHEN:	Monday, October 31
SCHEDULE:	Briefings reports are planned for 4 p.m., 8 p.m., 10 p.m. and midnight. Updates will occur as required; the union may also provide briefings at other times.
WHERE:	Updates and any media conference will take place in the Huron Room in the Sheraton Centre at 123 Queen Street West, Toronto. All briefings will be livestreamed using Periscope and the @AutoTalks16 Twitter account.

Updates on Unifor Ford negotiations will be announced on Twitter via @AutoTalks16. For further information and background on negotiations please visit: www.unifor.org/AutoTalks16.

Unifor represents 23,050 members that work at all the Detroit Three companies, Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles, Ford and GM. In negotiations with GM, the union established its pattern for collective agreement. Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing more than 310,000 workers. It was formed Labour Day weekend 2013 when the Canadian Auto Workers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers union merged.

SOURCE Unifor

Unifor Communications Director, Denise Hammond at [email protected] or 416-707-5794 (cell)