The Michigan automaker agreed to spend US$500 million on upgrades to its Windsor plant and US$400 million on its Oakville factory. It agreed to keep its Essex plant open and restore a third shift in 2029. Union workers ratified the deal over the weekend, including a program offering $50,000 buyouts and early retirement to free up jobs for laid-off workers at the Oakville factory. (The Logic)

Talking point: The contract between Ford and Unifor will serve as the template for the union’s upcoming negotiations with General Motors and Stellantis, as workers aim to lock in wages amid economic uncertainty caused by ongoing trade negotiations. The three-year agreement requires Ford to notify and train workers when jobs will be affected by AI. Other provisions include a three per cent annual wage hike and $10,000 bonuses for workers who remain laid off from the Oakville factory. About 74 per cent of hourly workers approved the agreement, while nearly 100 per cent of salaried workers approved.