CAW Continues Fight to Save Ford's St. Thomas Assembly Plant

TORONTO, Dec. 10 /CNW/ - The Canadian Auto Workers is continuing its fight to save the Ford car assembly plant in St. Thomas, Ontario, and has received no indication whatsoever that Ford has decided to close the plant, despite a story in the Detroit News this weekend.

The plant is currently operating on one shift of production, as a result of Ford's shrinking market share in North American vehicle sales.

CAW President Buzz Hargrove warned that one-shift assembly plants face an uphill struggle for survival, since operating costs are higher (per unit of output) than in two-shift or three-shift facilities. However, the plant is still operating profitably, and in fact will begin production of a new vehicle (the Lincoln Town Car) that will supplement production volumes in coming months.

"We are absolutely determined to do everything we can as a union to save this plant by winning new investment and product commitments," he added. He pledged to make the future of St. Thomas a major issue in next year's contract talks between the CAW and Ford, and called on the company to work with the union and the federal and provincial governments on a strategy to revitalize the facility with new technology and product plans.

Source: CAW

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