Frequently Asked Questions

Pattern bargaining serves a vital role in providing a level field for all D3 autoworkers. The pattern prevents companies from lowering workers’ wages to gain a competitive advantage or pitting workers at different plants against each other.

Unifor has a strong history of defending the pattern agreement which has resulted in autoworkers continuing to set the standard for industrial workers in Canada.

The pattern agreement negotiated with Ford of Canada includes the highest wage increases in the history of Canadian auto bargaining, makes transformative improvements to all pension plans and provides financial protections during the EV transition. The 2023 pattern is the most comprehensive package of gains ever negotiated by autoworkers in Canada.

View the bargaining report highlights here.

Negotiations with Stellantis are underway with a deadline set for October 29 at 11:59 p.m. See the bargaining updates section for more information.

The pattern agreement reactivates a Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) that is directly tied to the rate of inflation. COLA guards workers’ wages and purchasing power against rising consumer costs, including food and energy. Quarterly COLA adjustments will start in December 2024. Members at top of scale will receive 7 COLA adjustments during the life of the pattern agreement.

COLA is tied to the actual inflation rate and is superior to the previous lump sum Inflation Protection Bonus (known as the Christmas bonus) that members received the last two Decembers of the prior collective agreement. As an example, COLA is included in the calculation of overtime, jury duty, holiday with pay, vacation pay, and bereavement. Credible forecasts predict an inflation rate of approximately 2.5%, per year, in the coming years. This equates to a $1.61/hour accumulated COLA by the end of the contract – which is in addition to other negotiated pay increases.

For more information, watch Unifor's video on what COLA is and how it works.

Applicable to members hired on or after September 20, 2016

The current DC plan is a savings plan that does not provide a guaranteed retirement income. The amount that you receive fluctuates, depending on how well the investments have done.

The new CAAT DBplus plan is a significant improvement for members’ retirement security, that includes predictable monthly pension payments for workers, and surviving spouses, for life.

The CAAT Pension Plan is non-profit, so all profits are returned into the plan to benefit members. For as long as you live, you can be sure that your pension benefit will arrive every month and receive the following benefits:

• Conditional inflation protection enhancements
• Subsidized early retirement starting at age 50
• No-cost survivor benefits
• 60% survivor pension

The pattern agreement includes a Productivity and Quality Bonus of $10,000 for full-time and $4,000 for part-time workers to be paid shortly after ratification. Members in probation period will qualify for the bonus to receive upon completion of their probationary period.