‘Double hit’: GM CAMI couples among 1,200 workers facing tough holiday decision

Unifor is holding meetings for CAMI workers receiving retirement and voluntary exit packages after the plant's shutdown. CTV London's Sean Irvine reports.

General Motors (GM) CAMI workers are being given details this week about an offer of six months’ pay plus future options, amid uncertainty about job security.

Among the choices are leaving GM, retiring, and holding on until a new product is announced.

GM announced in the fall that it would end production of the Brightdrop electric delivery van.

The company has stated it remains committed to Canada, but there are no signs that a new product is in the works in Ingersoll.

In the meantime, more than 1,100 people are out of work.

Among them are many couples who rely on multiple GM paycheques.

“My wife works there as well,” said Paul Harvey. “So it was kind of a double hit when we got the news that we were going to be shutting down. It made it a bit anxious for us, our household.”

However, Harvey, a father of four, remains positive as the family makes cuts. He has 21 years of service.

“It’s definitely different. You know, we’ve got to watch what we spend, make smart decisions.”

It’s a tough choice for Ken and Luana Paridean. They met on the assembly line at CAMI and have been married for 15 years.

Luana has 20 years of service.

“Back in 2005, they told us, ‘Oh, you’ll never have to find another job. You’ll be here until you retire, and then bam, you’re done,” she recalled while speaking with CTV News.

While Luana concedes she needs to work, Ken has a choice to make. With 35 years of service, retirement is on the table, but at 58, he’s not sure if it’s time.

“So, you know, my plan was to go to 65 and all that. Well, with all this stuff going on, that plan is now kind of gone.”

Gone for those further down the seniority list is the comfort of a regular paycheque.

It’s why most told CTV News they will likely take the six months of pay offered and wait until GM decides CAMI’s future.

Tammy Rollinson did not want to comment on her husband’s selection, but for her, it’s an obvious one.

“It’s hard to find a job out there now that even comes close to paying what we get. So, it’s really no decision.”

The deadline for many choices on the table is Jan. 7.

The timeline will cause some stress over the holiday season as union members prepare for an uncertain 2026.

“Is it going to be tight? Absolutely. But we’ve done it before. We did it through Covid, so we’ll do it again,” said Rollinson.