GM to Cut One Shift at Oshawa Truck Plant Due to Tariffs
The union representing workers at GM’s Oshawa Assembly plant in Ontario is calling for swift action following the decision by the automaker to go from a three-shift to a two-shift operation this fall due to tariffs imposed by U.S. president Donald Trump.
As part of its plans, GM says it intends to reduce Oshawa truck exports to the U.S. and recalibrate the plant for Canadian sales, starting in the fall. In 2024, GM produced 151,000 vehicles in Canada but sold nearly 300,000—vehicles mostly imported from factories in the U.S.
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“We will not allow GM to barter Canadian jobs to gain Donald Trump’s favour,” Unifor president Lana Payne said. “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. GM needs to reverse this short-sighted move before more damage is done.”
The shift cut comes on the heels of Trump’s imposition of a 25-percent tariff on Canadian-built vehicles in March—a move that has chilled the Canadian auto sector. Over the past three weeks, GM has announced actions that will result in the permanent layoff of nearly 30 percent of its Canadian hourly workforce, Payne added, referring among other things to the production halt at CAMI where GM builds electric vans.
The Oshawa plant assembles Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Silverado HD pickups for the North American market, vehicles also assembled at factories in the U.S. and Mexico.
"Shifting trade policies, changing market dynamics, and growing global competition present new realities. We must adapt—and we are," said GM Canada president Kristian Aquilina. "For GM, this means building more in Canada, for Canada. As part of this strategic realignment, we are adjusting truck production at Oshawa Assembly to better reflect Canadian market demand, returning the plant to its original two-shift model."
Doug Ford’s Response
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has not wasted time reacting to the news.
“Today’s news from GM is extremely tough for the workers in Oshawa and their families,” he wrote on X Friday morning. “These are hardworking people who have helped build Ontario’s auto industry. GM has reaffirmed its commitment to the Oshawa plant, which will continue building Ontario-made trucks for years to come. We will continue doing everything we can to support a strong future for the facility and its workers.”
