January 29, 2026
RED FM News Desk
More than 1,000 workers are expected to lose their jobs after General Motors confirmed it will eliminate the third shift at its Oshawa Assembly plant later this week.
Unifor Local 222 President Jeff Gray said roughly 500 GM employees will be directly affected, along with more than 500 workers employed by suppliers tied to the plant.
In a statement released Wednesday, Unifor said the move is linked to GM shifting production to the United States, despite strong North American profits.
“GM posted nearly $10 billion in profits in North America, even after absorbing billions in tariffs,” the union said, adding that autoworkers are increasingly caught in the middle of a deepening trade war.
GM had previously announced plans to cut the third shift last year before reversing course and committing to three shifts until early 2026.
In a statement, GM said Oshawa will return to two shifts starting February 2 as it prepares to build the next generation of gas-powered full-size pickup trucks. About 500 employees will be laid off, with support packages offered in coordination with Unifor.
The Oshawa plant currently produces the Chevrolet Silverado, while similar trucks are also built at GM’s Fort Wayne, Indiana, facility, where production is being expanded.
Gray said the decision has left workers frustrated, noting employees met GM’s expectations for productivity, safety, and quality.
“People believed they finally had stable, good-paying jobs,” he said. “Now, just a few years later, that stability is being taken away.”
Premier Doug Ford called the layoffs “very disappointing,” saying the province will help affected workers transition into other sectors, including defence and life sciences.
Gray said the union is calling on the federal government to secure trade protections for Canada’s auto workers.
“This is devastating for our members,” he said. “We’re going to keep fighting.”
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