The Globe and Mail reports in its Tuesday edition that Unifor began contract negotiations with Ford of Canada on Monday, setting a July 10 deadline for a tentative labour agreement amid uncertainties over the North American free-trade agreement and U.S. tariffs. The Globe's Eric Atkins writes that Unifor's Lana Payne said the union did not wait to see if the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement is renewed before beginning talks, citing the perils of a delay. She said, "It's too risky to wait." Unifor is seeking better pensions and retirement security benefits, wages and income security in a three-year agreement, Ms. Payne said. If a tentative agreement is not reached by July 10, the union will discuss its next steps, she said. Unifor chose to begin bargaining with Ford because of the "respectful working relationship" between the two sides, Ms. Payne said. The union employs pattern bargaining, using the first contract to set the standard for talks with General Motors and Stellantis. Brock University labour studies professor Larry Savage says the threats of moving production to the U.S. because of tariffs, USMCA questions and Chinese electric car imports are all factors the automakers can use to push for concessions.