Automotive Industry
GM to Reduce Shifts at Canadian Assembly Plant, Blames Tariffs
The cut in production will affect approximately 700 employees.
OSHAWA, ON—The General Motors assembly plant here will go from a three-shift operation to a two-shift one due to softening demand and trade-related challenges.
The shift cut comes on the heels of President Donald Trump’s imposition in March of a 25 percent tariff on Canadian-built vehicles—a move that has chilled the Canadian auto industry.
The Oshawa plant assembles light- and heavy-duty Chevrolet Silverado pickup trucks for the North American market. These vehicles are also assembled at factories in the U.S. and Mexico.
At the same time, GM is increasing output at its light-duty truck plant in Fort Wayne, IN. The automaker intends to reduce Oshawa truck exports to the U.S. and recalibrate the plant for Canadian sales, starting in the fall. The cut in production will affect around 700 employees.
Unifor, which represents about 3,000 members at the plant, said GM’s decision to reduce operations was “reckless.”
“We will not allow GM to barter Canadian jobs to gain Donald Trump’s favor. Cutting the third shift at Oshawa Assembly is a reckless decision that deals a direct blow to our members and threatens to ripple through the entire auto parts supplier network,” said Unifor national president Lana Payne. “GM needs to reverse this short-sighted move before more damage is done."
Looking for quick answers on assembly and manufacturing topics? Try Ask ASM, our new smart AI search tool. Ask ASM
Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!
