- New temporary layoffs follow GM’s confirmation of a shift cut at Oshawa plant this fall.
- GM’s Oshawa plant produces both the Chevy Silverado 1500 and Silverado HD models.
- A Canadian union source states the changes are tied to a model changeover at the plant.
Workers at General Motors’ Canadian assembly plant in Oshawa, Ontario, have been informed that production will be reduced in June, prompting the company to implement temporary layoffs. Fortunately, the cutbacks are not permanent, and the local union believes the move isn’t related to the ongoing tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
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Read: GM Slashes Hundreds Of Jobs In Canada to Dodge Tariffs And Keep Trump Happy
The Unifor union, which represents the workers at the plant, confirmed that there will be rotating layoffs. Starting next month, one shift per week will be temporarily suspended. However, the exact number of workers affected remains unclear.
GM’s Output Reduction in Oshawa
This isn’t the only piece of bad news to befall workers at the site. Last week, GM confirmed it would cut output in Oshawa from a three-shift to a two-shift operation later this fall. The reduction comes as the company shifts focus to producing “more trucks in Canada for Canadian customers.” This reorientation could lead to as many as 700 job losses.
Speaking with CTV News, a union source says rotational layoffs as announced this week are not unusual, adding this latest round relates to a changeover of models at the assembly plant.
“Under the terms of the collective agreement, Unifor and GM will meet and review options to prevent or mitigate permanent job loss at Oshawa Assembly,” Unifor said in a statement. “The union is also calling on Prime Minister Carney to convene urgent meetings with the CEOs of all automakers selling in Canada and for the federal government to review GM’s tariff remission on vehicles imported into Canada.”
In a statement, GM explained that the production reductions are part of a plan to retool for the 2026 model year. “GM is not announcing any additional layoffs in Oshawa,” GM Canada spokesperson Jennifer Wright told Autonews Canada. “These actions are directly tied to the May 2 announcement regarding the plant’s transition to a two-shift operation this fall.”
What’s Being Produced in Oshawa?
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The Oshawa plant is currently producing both the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and the Silverado HD. In light of the recent developments, Unifor is pressing Prime Minister Carney to meet with the heads of automakers selling vehicles in Canada.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has also been vocal about the situation, speaking with key automotive figures and reiterating his commitment to protecting local workers and their communities.
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