By Nora Eckert

DETROIT, June 22 (Reuters) - Canadian auto union Unifor began negotiations with Ford Motor F.N on Monday, commencing talks on new contracts with the so-called Detroit Three of Ford, General Motors GM.N and Stellantis STLAM.MI to try to improve pay, job security and benefits for its nearly 19,000 members at those companies.

• Existing collective agreements between Unifor and the Detroit Three automakers expire on September 20.

• The union began the negotiations with Ford because the automaker has been most committed to continuing its operations in Canada, the union said.

• Unifor set a deadline of July 10 to reach a deal with Ford, which it will then take to the other two automakers.

• The union said it has begun talks earlier than usual because economic conditions are unlikely to improve in the coming months and could worsen.

• Canada faces significant U.S. tariffs pending negotiations around the future of the U.S.-Canada-Mexico trade ​agreement.

• Nearly 6,000 workers have been laid off across plants owned by the three automakers as the companies have shifted or paused production at several facilities.