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GM Delays Major Layoffs at Oshawa Plant Until 2026

Workers Get Extra Time on the Job

The midnight shift at General Motors’ Oshawa assembly plant, originally expected to be cut in November 2024, has now been delayed until January 30, 2026. This decision means about 750 GM workers and around 1,500 supplier employees will keep their jobs into the new year.

Last week, one of the suppliers, TFT Global Inc., announced it would lay off nearly 250 employees. But with GM’s updated plan, those workers will remain employed until January 2026.

Union Pushes Back Against Job Cuts

Unifor Local 222 President Jeff Gray confirmed the delay and said the union has been lobbying GM, alongside government officials, to maintain production levels.

“We want to keep this truck rolling as it is right now,” Gray said. “Our members here in Oshawa build a high-quality truck. They do it efficiently, they do it safely — they make General Motors a lot of money.”

Unifor Chairperson Chris Waugh stressed that workers will continue pressing GM to keep all three shifts running. “It’s reminding the company that these are our jobs, not American jobs,” he said.

GM’s Plans for the Future

GM spokesperson Ariane Pereira said the company will continue running three shifts until January 2026. After that, Oshawa will return to a two-shift operation as the plant prepares to build the next generation of full-size gas-powered pickups.

She also said GM is working with Unifor to support employees through the transition.

Oshawa’s Struggling Economy

The delay in job cuts comes as a relief for Oshawa, which has been hit hard by unemployment. According to recent data, the city’s unemployment rate is now 9%, the second highest in Canada.

Mayor Dan Carter expressed concern about the rising jobless numbers but welcomed the news of the delay. “We need a plan to move forward, to protect those jobs,” he said.

Carter added that GM’s leadership continues to see Oshawa as important for both the Canadian and North American auto industry. “They’re going to fight as hard as they possibly can and make sure that we continue to produce vehicles here in the great city of Oshawa,” he said.

U.S. Trade Politics and Auto Jobs

Earlier this year, GM announced it would cut back to two shifts because of what it called an “evolving trade environment.” The move followed U.S. tariffs — a 25% tax on non-CUSMA auto parts and vehicles — that have put pressure on Canadian plants.

Union leaders blame these cuts on “dirty politics from the U.S.,” saying Canadian workers are being unfairly impacted by cross-border trade battles.

Families Get Temporary Relief

For now, the delay means hundreds of families in Oshawa and surrounding areas can breathe easier heading into 2025. Workers will continue to have stable income through the holiday season and into 2026, giving more time for both the union and government to negotiate solutions.

But the uncertainty remains. Unless GM reverses course, the Oshawa plant will still scale back in early 2026 — leaving many families worried about what comes next.