The union said on Saturday that Ford Motor Company offered the Canadian union Unifor wage increases of up to 25 percent in its initial agreement.

Unifor stated that the agreement includes a 10 percent wage increase for the first year followed by increases of 2 percent and 3 percent during the second and third years, along with a production and quality bonus of $10,000 for all employees on the company's active roster.

The proposals also include increases in monthly core benefits and special allowances across all category codes through defined benefits and hybrid retirement plans, as well as investments to assist in the transition from traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle production to electric vehicle (EV) assembly facilities.

Unifor, which represents about 5,600 Canadian auto workers, said on Friday that its Ford leadership group voted unanimously in support of the initial agreement.

Ford is also in the midst of contract negotiations in the United States with a strike by the United Auto Workers (UAW) at the automaker's assembly plant in Wayne, Michigan.

The UAW began its strikes on Friday against 38 parts distribution centers across the United States at General Motors and Stellantis, expanding its unprecedented simultaneous strikes that began with one assembly plant for each of Detroit's three plants.

The additional facilities added about 5,600 workers to the already striking 12,700 workers.

The UAW said on Friday that Ford had improved its contract offer, including enhancing profit sharing and agreeing to allow workers to strike in protest of plant closures, but the union stated it still had "serious issues" with Ford and its workers would remain on strike at the Wayne assembly plant.

Unlike the UAW, Unifor chose one of the three Detroit companies as a "target" to negotiate with first - in this case, with Ford - in the typical bargaining style used to set the approach for subsequent deals with other companies.

UAW President Shawn Fain said in a live event on Facebook that by targeting distribution centers, the strike becomes a nationwide event. He added that he expects the talks to continue through the end of the week.

The confrontation raises concerns about a prolonged industrial work stoppage that could disrupt production and harm U.S. economic growth. A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted on Thursday showed significant support among Americans for striking auto workers.

U.S. President Joe Biden said in a post on social media on X, formerly known as Twitter, that he will come to Michigan on Tuesday "to join the picket line and stand in solidarity with the men and women of the UAW," while former President Donald Trump and his campaign, who is seeking another term, said he will be in Michigan on Wednesday to address auto workers.