The Globe and Mail reports in its Monday, July 20, edition that Ford Motor workers in Canada have ratified a three-year collective agreement that brings 3-per-cent raises in each year of the contract as well as better job and income security amid questions about the future of the country''s auto sector. The Globe's Eric Atkins writes that Unifor, which represents 5,150 Ford workers, said on Sunday the agreement was approved by 74 per cent of the hourly workers while salaried employees voted almost unanimously in favour. "Negotiating during a crisis is never easy, but our driving goal was to make a wide range of improvements for all of our members building on the gains made in 2023," said Unifor national president Lana Payne. The agreement covers workers at Ford's assembly plant in Oakville, Ont., engine factories in Windsor and Essex, Ont., and parts warehouses in Ontario and Alberta. Unifor said Ford has committed to investing $500-million (U.S.) at the Essex engine factory and $400-million (U.S.) at the Windsor pickup assembly plant. Unifor expects an additional shift will be added at the Essex plant by 2029, based on forecast demand. Ford said the agreement reinforces its 122-year commitment to Canada.