Under the Hood

Detroit Three Bargaining and Intra-Union Tensions in Canada

Bibliographic Data

ID6440477
AuthorsLarry Savage (Labour Studies, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada, corresponding author), Paul Christopher Gray (0009-0000-5960-5803, Labour Studies, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada)
Year2025
Volume50
Issue3
Pages241-262
Publication date2025-01-28
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueLabor Studies Journal (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0160-449X • E-ISSN: 1538-9758
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/0160449x251315770
OpenAlexW4406950209
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited24

Despite achieving substantial contract gains, including significant wage increases, the 2023 pattern agreement reached between Unifor—Canada’s largest private sector union—and Detroit Three automakers was met with mixed reactions from union members, with particularly low support from skilled trades and more senior members. This study reveals how intra-union dynamics were shaped by shifting socioeconomic conditions, comparisons with the United Auto Workers, differences between production and skilled trades members, generational tensions, and leadership conflicts intertwined with strike dynamics. These factors influenced bargaining expectations and union strategy. The findings suggest that intra-union tensions weakened member solidarity and support for the historically strong pattern agreement, highlighting the complex interplay between external pressures and internal union dynamics in collective bargaining

Collective bargaining · Dynamics (music · Economics · Labour economics · Political science · Socioeconomic status · Sociology · Solidarity · Trade union · Wage · Demography · Digital Economy and Work Transformation · Employment and Welfare Studies · Labor Movements and Unions · Law

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access