A tentative deal between General Motors and Unifor could mark a historic revamping for the CAMI Assembly Plant in Ingersoll.
On Friday evening, Unifor Local 88 announced that it reached a tentative deal with GM which includes an investment of $1 billion to begin large-scale production of EV600, an all-electric commercial van.
According to a media release from Unifor Local 88, which represents 1,900 workers at the plant, production of the electric vehicle would start next year.
The Chevrolet Equinox is the only vehicle currently being produced at CAMI. GM’s proposed investment would create Canada’s first large-scale commercial electric vehicle manufacturing plant.
Bargaining between the two sides began on January 4. More details on the tentative agreement will be presented to union members during an online ratification meeting on Sunday with the results of the ratification vote set to be released the following day.
“This tentative deal delivers significant investment, new products, new jobs, and job security, achieving our union’s key bargaining priorities during these challenging times,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.
The tentative deal between Unifor and GM is just one of the latest pushes to increase electric vehicle production within the province's auto industry.
In September, a deal reached with Ford included nearly $2 billion to bring battery electric vehicle production to the Oakville plant. A deal was also previously reached with Fiat Chrysler that included more than $1.5 billion for a new platform to build both plug-in hybrid vehicles and battery electric vehicles.