Oshawa Layoffs: Trade War Fallout

General Motors Canada announced the elimination of the third shift at its Oshawa, Ontario assembly plant, effective September. This decision will result in the layoff of approximately 700 production workers at the plant and is expected to impact another 1,500 jobs within the supply chain. The cutbacks are a direct consequence of the transition to electric vehicle (EV) production and the phasing out of internal combustion engine vehicles. The United Auto Workers (UAW) union, which represents workers at the Oshawa plant, has been criticized for its role in facilitating the shift towards EV production and its failure to adequately protect workers' jobs. The union has touted the conversion as a positive development that has brought jobs back to the plant. Workers express concerns that the transition to EVs, while presented as a path to long-term stability, is leading to job losses and a decline in wages and working conditions. The situation in Oshawa reflects a broader trend in the auto industry, with companies reducing their workforce in response to the changing demands of the EV market. The article highlights the precarious situation of autoworkers facing job losses and declining wages as the industry transitions to EV production. find the original article here: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/05/08/jcwb-m08.html